Things I’ve Learned as a Moviemaker

by Dana Glauberman | Published February 3, 2007

Maria Bello, David Koechner and Aaron Eckhart in Jason Reitman’s Thank You for Smoking (2006). Photo: Fox Searchlight Pictures.

Work out if at all possible. If you’re not too tired, it can clear your mind and get some frustrations out. You also won’t feel so bad about sitting in front of a computer screen all day long!

Leave the cutting room for lunch or just to take a walk around the block. Sometimes it’s difficult, but it can make the rest of the day go so much easier.

Mentors are called mentors for a reason. If you have questions, call them and ask them. They’re always willing to offer a good piece of advice—or two!

Sound F/X and music should help a scene, not hide the problems. If you are having issues with a particular cut or transition, hiding it with sound F/X or music will not solve the problem.

Mismatches are okay. There are always ways of hiding some technical difficulties like mismatches. If your audience is picking on these mismatches, most likely you have bigger issues to deal with.

Hire people who you can call your family. Sometimes you end up spending more time with the people you work with than your own family.

You absolutely learn something new every day. Enjoy and take advantage of that.

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