#30: What if what

Looking back, I typically did consulting work in three phases.

First, the early excitement. The idea is fresh, ginger is high, there’s plenty money and little distraction, so things move fast.

Up next, the dip. Tough problems and boredom slow you down. Money runs out, ginger dies and other things just become more important. Gradually, the project comes to a crawl.

Eventually, it gets so bad that an intervention has to happen, and this ushers the project into the final phase where things go at a decent pace until the end.

This is happening with the film as well. We dipped for the last couple of months, but I’ve held interventions and I hope we’re out. I think it’s about incentives. If a project will last more than a month or so, sheer force of will is not enough to get there.

70–30 payment seems suited for short term projects, very disciplined people and mature teams with accountability structures e.g. performance management. But otherwise, money runs out and motivation follows. Or at least, other things have to be prioritised and excitement drops.

For long term projects, I think it’s best to do a retainer — monthly payments tied to specific goals. Money is a great incentive for accountability. Sometimes it’s the drive, other times it’s the reward. Either way it’s an effortless way to keep energy going.

What we’ve completed so far:

Story with Yanmo (Dec)
Signed up Daniel as Director (Jan)
Character design with Chuks and team (Jan)
Script with Jessica (Feb)
Recording with Oshuwa (Feb)
Concept audio from Kolade and team (Mar)
Storyboard (Mar)
Environment Design (Mar)
Animatics (July)
Dialogue (July) And what’s left:
Logo and motion graphics
Licensing Felony by Ckay
Score with Osarumen
Drawing (roughs, tie-downs, inking then colouring)
Animation (composition, lighting, editing and sound)
Final sound production I think we can be done with the animation in November. Final sound production will probably extend into January. Fingers crossed.