BACK TO BACK STORYBOARDS AND NO SLEEP

Well now, I’ve had a rather rough patch of it as far as workgoes. As we ALLLLL  know, the “defacto” SAG strike has kicked all of our collective butts.

I haven’t worked on a feature since the demise/hiatus of a bigfilm I was on, but thankfully, I got some commercial work.

Let’s say, a lot, actually. Thank you, God!!!!  I was assigned to do ten commercialsfor a production company that I work with on a semi-regular basis. I won’t namethe project or the company as it could have ended a little better. As we areall human, people got tired on the last day, and there were blow ups.

 It got to thepoint that I just signed my time card and walked out of the office. SEVENTEENhours after I started that morning. It was a very long last day and everythinghad to be completed. Thankfully, two colleagues were able to pitch in with theboards and we got it done.

I was as tired as I ever was. But then, I had to start a newgig on the following day with my friend, Bennett Miller. Thankfully, we metduring the evening where I could recharge my batteries. This job was not asshot specific (there would be improvising upon shooting) but I still had a lotof boards to do.

For all of you single, non parents who complain about neverhaving time to yourselves, please shutup. I love my wife and my son, but when I have a deadline, “family time”can get me a little cranky.

Only because that time away from drawing is time added to atthe end of the day. My wife and son and I made quick trip to the beach to getmy son some fresh air, but I ended up once again finishing a gig well aftermidnight.

No, I don’t chargemy client for this. I bill according to the hours I put in, but let me tellyou, I was wiped at the end of the job. I am wiped as I write this blog, but Iam trying to be on time with it, as I have fallen behind recently.

Storyboarding is something that takes time. Having a HAPPYfamily demands time. The two do not always go hand in hand. One has to occasionallychain them together like Poitier and Curtis in THE DEFIANT ONES. Or, Pam Grierand the blonde in BLACK MAMA, WHITE MAMA.

Your choice.