For many, Monday morning is all about gearing up for the week ahead. Today, however, I need a nap and a veggie burger.
Last night, my team completed our submission for the 48 Hour Film Project. Our timeline involved an intense string of events, including:
Friday 6 p.m.: Received our genre and required elements (a character, a prop, and a line).
Friday night: Wrote the film.
Saturday night: Filmed it.
Sunday 7:30 p.m.: Edited and submitted.
Despite the exhaustion, we’re pretty pleased with what we managed to create.
If you've attended any of my talks, you probably know I love a good knowledge extraction. So, here are three key takeaways on working under a tight deadline.
1. Stay Laser-Focused on Your Project's Requirements
When time is extremely limited, fulfilling the basic requirements must be your top priority. While we enjoyed working on cinematography, we realized (about 30 minutes before the deadline) that our film was a minute-and-a-half over. Clever jokes and footage won’t save you if your film is rejected. Regularly review and discuss your project’s requirements to ensure they stay top of mind.
2. Remember to Drink Water
It’s easy to get caught up in a hyper-focused state of cramming, but basic self-care is crucial. Eating and drinking may seem trivial, but decision fatigue can make even choosing lunch feel overwhelming. Plan ahead to manage these needs so you can stay focused on your work.
3. Let Go of Perfection
When working under a tight deadline, consider these questions:
"How much value will this change add?"
"Is this a must-have or a nice-to-have?"
"Will our audience [customer] appreciate this as much as we do?"
"Is this good enough already?"
It’s essential to remember that time and energy are finite resources. Every choice you make is essentially an economic decision, so avoid overspending. Embracing "good enough" allows you to meet deadlines while preserving your well-being.
Our film will premiere on August 28th. In the meantime... Goodnight!
Comments