A PAT ON THE BACK
A very rare thing happened yesterday. I received a text from a showrunner complimenting me on my director’s cut of an episode. That never happens. Almost never.
I imagine that most showrunners, upon viewing a cut, have some kind of response. They liked it, or they didn’t. Or their first thought is “Oh s—t, now I have to find a way to cut five minutes out,” or 10 or 15. Or they might have thought, “I really should reach out to the director to tell them that I’m grateful for their good work.” But if that is their thought, somehow it gets lost by the time they approach a keyboard.
Because that kind of complimentary communication is so rare, it sent me on a personal journey of questioning how often I am guilty of the same lack of kindness, of good manners, of just all-around decent human behavior. After all, everyone wants to be seen. We want respect. We want that metaphorical pat on the back that means we did a good job. We want interaction that goes back and forth. As in: you create a script, I shoot it, we have a communication about our shared endeavor. Hopefully, it’s positive, and I feel SEEN. But if it’s not positive, if you think I didn’t do a good job, you will respectfully tell me your honest feedback. Because what we do – filmmaking for TV - is collaborative and requires that type of communication after someone’s effort. I sincerely believe that, so it behooves me to occasionally review my own behavior and see if I’ve been appropriately complimenting those with whom I have worked.
I have not, I regret to say. That is, I am aware of my responsibility to compliment cast and crew members, but sometimes I just take their effort for granted. Rather than saying “Good job!” to a camera operator, I assume that they know they did well because I said “Print it!” (And truthfully, a “good job” note is never enough. Why was it a good job? What skills were required to make that shot? I should be specific in my compliments.) I may have whole fan-girling conversations with series regular actors, but neglect to specifically compliment the guest actors, particularly co-stars who fade into the background of my consciousness. I don’t always tell a writer that I love their script, or at the very least, find something in it about which I can be enthusiastic. I say “thank you” to office staff who remember to give me a paper copy of the script, but do not tell them that I notice their extra effort. I may tell the editor that I loved their cut, but don’t always elaborate to explain why.
Reflecting on my own on-the-job behavior reminds me of so many people in leadership positions who forget to give positive feedback, who continue to push forward in their group endeavors without recognizing how indebted they are to those to assist them. But a positive acknowledgment of someone’s contribution is not only the right thing to do, it can also reap the reward of redoubled effort. We all want to work harder for our bosses if they like our work, and they say so.
Sorry to sound like I’m scolding – but I’m really just scolding myself. On my next job, I’m resolved to do better. It’s not hard. It’s just a matter of saying what I think, when I think it. Like after watching a special take with tricky camera work, or being entranced by a performance, or noticing someone doing something special. I will speak up, thank them, and tell them why they’re wonderful. Give them that pat on the back that we all wish for. I know that when I received that “pat on the back” text from the showrunner, it made my day. And it reminded me that I can do the same for others.
