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A lot of people ask me how I balance working full time as a commercial producer and being an indie filmmaker, so I figured I’d make a thread about it.
1) understand that it’s possible to have a day job and a passion. Many people will tell you that it’s not possible. It is. It’s just about time management and setting realistic goals for yourself.
2) time management is everything. I usually wake up around 6am-7am.
The first few hours of my morning I spend focusing on outlining my tasks for the day. I have two lists, one for my job, the other for film. Knowing what’s ahead of me keeps me from feeling overwhelmed.
The first few hours of my morning I spend focusing on outlining my tasks for the day. I have two lists, one for my job, the other for film. Knowing what’s ahead of me keeps me from feeling overwhelmed.
3) Boundaries are my friend. Because I have a demanding job, I limit the number of indie productions I do per year to about 2 or 3.
Biting off more than you can chew is the quickest road to burnout.
Biting off more than you can chew is the quickest road to burnout.
4) understand your why. Find your purpose within your passion and your job.
My day job not only pays the bills, but it connects me to the commercial production world in a way that benefits my films. My filmmaking feeds my passion of creating activism centered work.
My day job not only pays the bills, but it connects me to the commercial production world in a way that benefits my films. My filmmaking feeds my passion of creating activism centered work.
To piggy back off my last point- knowing your “why” helps in moments of “what the fuck am I doing?” 
You are GOING to get frustrated. You are GOING to feel at times that you want to give up. It’s inevitable.
knowing why you do what you do helps you keep moving forward .
You are GOING to get frustrated. You are GOING to feel at times that you want to give up. It’s inevitable.
knowing why you do what you do helps you keep moving forward .
5) learn to say no.
There are a TON of film projects and scripts that come my way. Would I love to take them all on?? Absolutely! Am I going to? Absolutely not.
I don’t have the capacity to produce non stop. I only take on projects that align with my brand and mission.
There are a TON of film projects and scripts that come my way. Would I love to take them all on?? Absolutely! Am I going to? Absolutely not.
I don’t have the capacity to produce non stop. I only take on projects that align with my brand and mission.
6) have a hard stop time every single day. At 9pm everyday, I refuse to check emails or answer work related calls. It can wait until morning.
7) Block off time in your calendar to get tasks done instead of adding to your to do list. You can’t actually get work done if you’re in meetings all damn day.
8) Dont take days to make decisions that should take minutes. Again, time management. So much time is wasted by complicating the fuck out of things unnecessarily.
9) Set goals. Work backwards.
I have a five year plan that is separated into an annual checklist. That annual checklist is separated into a monthly to do list. That monthly to do list is how I create my weekly task sheet.
This keeps you from being aimless.
I have a five year plan that is separated into an annual checklist. That annual checklist is separated into a monthly to do list. That monthly to do list is how I create my weekly task sheet.
This keeps you from being aimless.
10) DECOMPRESS with a non work related activity REGULARLY.
Make sure you have a daily or weekly self care ritual. Prioritize the well being of your mind, body, and spirit. This could be prayer, meditation, a bath, sauna, yoga, running, writing, cooking, boxing, swimming, etc.
Make sure you have a daily or weekly self care ritual. Prioritize the well being of your mind, body, and spirit. This could be prayer, meditation, a bath, sauna, yoga, running, writing, cooking, boxing, swimming, etc.
Here’s my film work/bio/festival selections by the way: http://www.zanahthirus.com
