When i worked on commercials, which were often behind schedule already on the day they got a green light, I found that a small number of key people really busting ass for a few weeks could really pull that thing out of the toilet and make something pretty cool despite the limitations. If you really needed 12 weeks to do the thing right, but the schedule only gave you 6 weeks, two or three people working late nights and weekends for 6 weeks can make the difference. On a bigger production that kind of mad-dash really doesn’t work, because it is a marathon not a sprint.

I think that it’s almost always the person, or people, at the top. They have to direct the project along a path while allowing the crew to be creative. It’s a delicate balance.

I’ve tried to put my finger on what the main difference is between the few GOOD projects that I have been lucky enough to work on and the many BAD ones (apart from the end-result, that is)… Contrary to what many people might think, in many cases the talent levels and the enthusiasm levels are about the same… the difference seems to lie in the WAY that the project is done; the chain of command, the amount of time allowed for each step, and so forth… On the “good” projects, just as many mistakes are made but there is time allowed to fix them.

I like your “Badge of Honour” approach. Maybe we could get some special animation campaign ribbons, or even PURPLE HEARTs made for all the times we’ve been wounded in the field… I’ve stood on quite a few PORK CHOP HILLS in my time.

it amazes me how easily people will jump into crew slander after watching a lousy movie or show. obviously there are many to blame when projects melt down, and rightfully so…but more often than not, it’s probably someone besides the artists…( no personal bias, here! )

also consider that as a viewer, you get to avoid most of the accountability…imagine the frustration and conflict for people who spilled blood and guts on it..!

having worked on many, many turds, i know this feeling well. as an artist in this business, you have to steel yourself for these moments. loads and loads of hard work materializing before your eyes as an abomination! then to hear the bashing begin after the show…it’s hard not to take some of it personally. but you have to be able to get back up and hit the drawing board again.
i’ve actually come to carry these jobs as badges of honor…having survived them just helps me enjoy other projects even more….

thanks again jamie…