A Director's Perspective . . .: July 2012

Why Am I Blogging?

WHY AM I BLOGGING?

I'd much prefer to be standing beside a camera calling "Action" or in the director's booth of a giant arena, watching the stage manager call the cues to a big show I've designed... But when I'm NOT doing those things, I'm sometimes privileged to be asked to share some of what I know -- and what I'm still learning -- about this craft, about working with people in the entertainment business, and, more fundamentally about life in general... It's full of surprises, some of them delightful, some of them devastating, all of them capable of making me a better professional, a better friend, a better husband and father. So from time to time I'll share some of these 'lessons from life' with the particular slant of a guy who loves what he does and has learned some lessons (too many of them the hard way) about writing, producing, directing, and about this often-confusing journey called life. I welcome your comments and viewpoints in this conversation...

Tom Ivy

Sunday, July 1, 2012

"I'M UNREASONABLE"

What's it like to work for Tom Ivy (or WITH Tom Ivy as I prefer to think of my working relationships)? You'd have to ask some of those who've endured the experience to know for sure, but to start with the monicker that 'I'm unreasonable' would probably describe how more than one person has at some point labeled their relationship with yours truly! Hopefully, somewhere along the line most of them formed a different opinion, but it hasn't always been the case - and probably more my fault than theirs. In any case, here are some insights, okay, 'confessions' about how I work and what I expect of those who work with me. I don't promise anything easy...but hopefully an experience that is ultimately rewarding for ALL of us in the end...

WHY I'M DIFFICULT TO WORK WITH: A Tom Ivy Confession

1.   I'm a perfectionist.
2. I pay attention to details. They are important. Don't try and change me but I'll listen to a better idea.
3.   I expect you to see the big picture and not get overly distracted by minutia.
4.   I demand excellence of myself and expect it of my co-workers
5. I will push you but also try to help you achieve YOUR best, not mine or someone else's.
6.   I expect 110% effort at everything you do, but don't kill yourself or be stupid about it! It isn't worth it..
7.   I erased the words 'no' and 'impossible' from my dictionary.
8.   I expect you understand the expression 'There's always another way'
9.   I work 24/7 when I'm prepping and shooting a project - (expect a call at any hour).
10. I often repeat myself and state the obvious to make sure I've correctly communicated. It's okay!
11. I appreciate and value opinions, but I'm the boss! (This is a benevolent dictatorship, not a democracy).
12. I welcome constructive criticism to my face but I will not tolerate it behind my back.
13. I demand honesty. If you have a problem, don't hide it. I might be able to help - or at least understand.
14. I care about you as a person more than what you do as a professional.
15. I will never be able to afford what you are worth to me, but I'll make every effort to see you paid fairly.
16. If you're not having fun doing what you are doing, you should do it where you can or change professions.
17. Don't take me, work, or yourself too seriously, but never mistake casualness as a license for disrespect.
18. I value the opinion and contribution of everyone and I expect you to do the same if you work with me.
19. Be quick to accept responsibility and slow to pass blame. I try to model this and hope you will too.
20. We might have so much fun that we hate parting when it's all over. Don't resist the feeling.