Focus Isn’t Just for the Camera
Let’s face it; most of us that are in the business of creating web series and independent films are also in other businesses. We have day jobs, families, and responsibilities outside of our passion projects. I firmly believe that with solid planning, great stories, dedicated partners, and a healthy dose of luck, one can make being an artist a full time gig–but it takes a while to get there. So, we have to find other ways to survive and provide for our loved ones while we build a reputation. How do we maintain focus and make progress toward the goal of earning a living as a producer, director, actor, or writer while balancing the stresses and tasks of our daily lives outside of the production world?!
I’ve found that the best way to do that is to respect your goals as much as your “day job.” Treat it as much like a business as any other. If you’re an actor but don’t have a part at the moment, or have one that doesn’t pay, you’re still an actor. Don’t say, “I want to be an actor.” Say, “I am an actor.” If you’re a writer, find time to write every day: before work, at lunchtime, or before bed at night. If you’re a producer or director, get involved with writers who have projects that inspire you. Use your skills to help establish yourself, and them. Whatever your particular interest, do something every day to work on the craft you dream of making your full time gig.
Another way to respect your goals is to approach achieving them as a business. You know those annoying meetings at work where someone makes an agenda of all the important topics to discuss, then assigns action items and due dates? You need to do that with any projects you are working on–and hold yourself and your partners to the plan you create and the dates you assign. If you don’t, you won’t make nearly enough progress, and will delay your success. Of course, you shouldn’t be harsh with yourself or anyone else who’s working on your project for free, but if you set the tone that you take the process seriously, then those around you will too. In fact, others who are part of your projects will actually work harder and feel more satisfaction if they feel like what they are doing is a “real” job.
What about when real life interferences happen (which they will)? Things that can’t be avoided might pull you or your partners away from the project. When something comes up that stalls progress, don’t be discouraged. Revise your plan, move the due dates, set reasonable, specific dates when everyone involved can expect to resume forward motion, and reassure the team that you are as committed as ever to completing what you started. With strong leadership, you can get things back on track. And if the “team” is just you, it’s even more important to follow this advice. If you’re the only one working on something, there’s no one else to kick you back into action when you’re stalled. You have to do it yourself, so hopefully you have drive and motivation on your side.
No matter what happens, the best way to maintain focus is to always remember how you felt when you began a project. Remind yourself of the excitement and optimism you felt when you first decided to write that screenplay, or audition for that part, or bring that web series to life. When you begin something, you feel like you can achieve anything, and you can almost see the finish line. Along the way, obstacles can twist you around and make you lose sight of that finish line, but if you take the time to recall the attitude you had at the beginning, it can renew your energy, and help you get back to the focus you need to be successful.
Good luck! And if you have any additional tips for maintaining focus that I didn’t touch on, please mention them in the comments.
Post author: Ralph Fontaine is a Director, Producer, and Actor who has lived and worked in Los Angeles, New York, and Seattle. His current project is “Causality”, a Science Fiction webseries about time travelers who come from the future to the early 21st Century. Check it out at www.WatchCausality.com, and/or email him at Rfontaine@watchcausality.com