Lessons for business from Hollywood
Making a feature film is an almighty endeavour. Here is a short (and incomplete!) list of the various components that have to be taken into account: Accounts, Art, Camera, Casting, Catering, Continuity, Construction, Costume, Direction, Distribution, Editing, Exhibition, Financing, Hair & Makeup, Health & Safety, Lighting, Locations, Music, Performing, Post Production, Production, Props, Publicity, Stills, Script, Sound, Transport, etc. Whew! So with all this complexity, how does a film get made? Conceptually it’s actually pretty easy… A production company uses the concept of outsourcing in a very efficient manner.
Specifically, they hire in experts and specialists in their respective fields who contribute their skills to the film - under the direction of a highly skilled project manager (the producer) and a highly creative architect of the vision for the end product (the Director).
Could 1 person make a film? Sure, but it would probably take forever.
In sport, a decathlete is a highly skilled, all-round athlete. But the individual champion in each of the events would beat the decathlete in a 1:1 competition every time.
Why? Because they are better overall athletes?
No – it’s because they are specialists and bring efficiencies to their sport.
It’s just the same with making a film.
And it’s just the same with running a business.
In your business you should be the Producer, and maybe the Director as well. But to also be the Director of Photography, Art Director, Stunt Co-ordinator, Casting
Agent, Sound Director, Make-up Artist and so on is clearly not logical.
It is important to focus on your core competency and your highest value-add to your business.
This is sensible time allocation.
