As much as filmmaking is a solitary endeavor, it also is not. Sometimes I have to remind myself of that; sometimes I have to be reminded of it. A finished film is exercise in the perfecting of a matrix of individual efforts joined together in one cohesive coup de grace.
From PA’s to DP’s. From Actor’s to Make-up artists, making a film is a unified effort that more often than not, results in something tangible that one can look upon with the feeling of accomplishment. I cannot, in good conscience, ever hope to imagine doing or making the films that I have made without the support of those who’ve been a part of the process. Often I refer to a film as “our” film, and that’s because I’ve respected the effort and energy people have put into helping me take a vision, words on the page and turn them into something magnificent, not in scope but magnificent in its display of sheer will power.
Sometimes that solitary feeling is perhaps a bit self-indulgent. Sometimes not. But in any case, the prior effort by all people involved never goes away. It’s evident in the dailies, in the rough cut, in the score, in the performances and in the final product.
My fellow producer pointed out that, “We aren’t in the Marines Corps anymore.” Sometimes I have to take it down a notch. Maybe be less aggressive at times or at least direct that aggressiveness towards an issue where it will do the most good and have the least probability of a negative impact. And while I put in a lot of effort to be understanding and to create sets that are welcoming — I do drive a hard bargain. I do because I put a lot on the line. I put it on the line using my belief that everyone will do as they say they will do. If not, don’t come come out to play with me because I do play hard.
But I am learning to convey my messages with less force. And while the message, in essence and context, remains the same, the delivery may be a little softer in the future 
Cheers to all the crew folks who have hung in there through long hours and low pay to create something special!
