Things falling into place are music to a producer’s ears, but while I recognize and appreciate all of the fortunate things in our lives that are making this possible, it is no coincidence that this is always the case with projects I am most excited about. This isn’t because I care more and am willing to work harder (because I will work my ass off on any project bearing my name), but I think speedbumps and setbacks in these projects float right away once they are solved, while the mini victories are lasting. I could look back on Napoleon and recall in horror how my car was towed just as we were about to kick off an insane schedule of equipment pickup the day before shooting began. Or, I can look back triumphantly and remember running full speed the mile and a half to the tow yard while making phone calls adjusting the day’s schedule, finding a new makeup artist, confirming the catering order, fighting with SAG and god knows what else. I got my car back, went on my way, and everything continued to fall into place.

The night before we shot Brennon’s commercials, Brennon and I sat for hours at JL Fisher waiting to pick up the dolly. It wouldn’t have mattered too much if I didn’t need to get out to FilmLA in rush hour traffic to pick up our permits for the following day. They were closing at 6pm and though I took a special shortcut (courtesy of Chad), I got there at 6:01 and the heavy wooden doors were sealed shut. I knocked. And knocked. And knocked and knocked and knocked for close to fifteen minutes, when magically someone who hadn’t yet left for the day answered the door. He took one look at my frazzled face and said “Are you having, like, the worst day of your life?” and I said “Are you kidding me? I’ve been knocking for 15 minutes and someone ACTUALLY ANSWERED THE DOOR!”.

The point is this: I have known quite a few other novice producers and sometimes their mentality is flipped. The frustration, the exhaustion, the lack of external appreciation are the things that stick. I don’t know how long I could do this job if things like that got me down every day. Instead, they are the adventures that invigorate me. It’s about the outcomes- everything else along the way is just stories.

-Peace