The actress Toni Collette remarked in an interview that director Ari Aster was the most prepared director she had ever worked with. Aster had visualized the entire movie Hereditary in his mind, down to the smallest detail, two years before filming began.
The first time I encountered this concept was with another legendary director, Alfred Hitchcock. Hitchcock meticulously visualized scenes, shots, lighting, sets, and design to such an extent that filming became a mere technical execution of his preplanned vision.
Why is this important
Being prepared can save valuable time and resources. Like narrowing the aperture of a camera: you focus on what truly matters while filtering out the unnecessary.
When you have the entire project visualized in your head, you can:
- Schedule tasks: Both micro and macro planning becomes precise and efficient.
- Hire and manage people effectively: You know exactly what skills to look for.
- Calculate the budget accurately: Early planning allows for cost savings, such as buying resources upfront.
- Communicate clearly with your team: Clarity leads to better teamwork and execution.
- Build investor confidence: A well-detailed project presentation increases the likelihood of funding or job approvals.
- Anticipate failures: Predicting potential issues helps mitigate risks.
In contrast, uncertainty and indecision lead to delays, wasted resources, poor management, and inconsistencies. Without a clear endpoint in mind, how would you even know when your project is complete?
Keys To Remember
Setting clear goals and planning every attribute of a process drastically increases the likelihood of success compared to proceeding without a plan.
References
- https://www.imdb.com/title/tt7784604/trivia/?ref_=tt_dyk_trv
- Spoto, Donald. The Dark Side of Genius: The Life of Alfred Hitchcock. New York: Da Capo Press, 1999.