What's wrong with us?

(read this out loud in your best Andy Rooney)
Have you ever wondered what's wrong with us? What it is about our personalities that draws us to this profession? I've been doing that a lot lately, and I've come up with some theories - some flattering, some not. So, strap in, it's about to get uncomfortable.

Mascohism
Let's start with the unpleasant, almost abusive, qualities of what we do.

It all starts the day you get hired. "Everybody here just loves your reel. The writing is sublime, the edits are really clean and cool, and it's obvious you know how to put butts in the seat. We'd love to have you join the team for less than we would pay a fry cook at McDonald's - whaddayasay?"

Then, you start meeting the happy workers. The editor who reminds you of Milton from Office Space. The "Senior/Executive Producer" who's suddenly threatened by your arrival. The news producer who "really gets promotion" but treats you with just enough hostility to prove otherwise. Yeah, this is gonna be great.

When the GM finally comes around to tell you that he needs you to come up wtih something brilliant because times are tough, the mental burden is just icing on the cake.

Weekends lost in edit booths because of last minute changes. Birthdays ruined by clients who didn't tell you they tweaked their logos when you weren't looking. Cigarettes inhaled because a bad story led to a bad promo, and, ultimately, a bad rating - but somehow it's your fault. Ah, good times...

Why do we put up with it? Masochism seems too easy an answer.

Character Deficiencies
"High expectations. Low commitment levels." (I hereby lay claim to that phrase. And I expect royalty payments!)

But don't those 5 words say it all about us? We want to set the world on fire, 30 seconds at a time. Do some really great work, and then move on to the next one. Is it any wonder so many of us have a mental crutch of some kind - drink, women/men, food, thrills, etc. Anything that will help get us through to the next big expectation.

It's also why so many of us have a hard time in relationships. God bless any poor soul who falls in love with a "Creative". Talking shop all the time, missing your kid's recital, being occassionally mentally absent becuase you're tossing around an idea and don't realize it.

And yet these failings can be considered almost endearing when measured against those of us who exhibit far more disappointing traits:

- The Fickle: "I love working with you (until I don't)."

- The Cowardly: "I've got your back (until it puts mine at risk)."

- The Lazy: "Sure, I could come up with another idea, but they're gonna shoot that one down, too, so forget it."

- The Obsessive: "I know this hits air in five minutes, but could we skip this hit? I know I can get this edit right..."

Thankfully, we have some redeeming qualities that mask the shortcomings - we tend to be a fun, gregarious bunch. But there's clearly a defect in our personalities that makes this career a proper fit for us.

Now, in our defense....

High expectations aren't a bad thing, but you know that. The really great part is when we extend those high expectations beyond the work.

"To have high expectations of others is to have faith in them. It is an expression of optimism and hope in the capacities of another. It is an expression of the connection between people and is experienced as support." - Peter Block

Anybody who's worked on a solid team will testify to that. The necessities of what we do require high expectations of others. No one producer is ever responsible for a great spot, but one usually is to blame for a bad one. Why? Because we work best when we collaborate. Smart producers / creatives are never too proud to borrow a better idea when it's offered. In that sense, we stand as an example to every other working schmuck.

Here's another way...

Most people go to work every day and do stuff that in no way reflects them personally. I'm sure some accountants out there would argue otherwise ("Hey, I know when Dave's touched an audit!"), but really good producers put a stamp on their work. People can just tell that Ron did it - or Sarah. That's a unique gift - you won't get that very many places. Maybe that's why we put up with the masochistic realities of our jobs. Hell, anybody can file! Only a select few can come up with a great sell for a weight-loss story that's been done to death, while fielding a phone call from your doctor to tell you you're hypertensive.

"Well, of course I am, Doc - you're calling me in the middle of an edit!"