This document discusses time management tips for filmmakers. It includes a quiz to assess your planning abilities, with scores ranging from terrible to excellent planner. It also lists advantages of time management like gaining time and reducing stress. Tips include understanding why you're working on a project, setting SMART goals, taking breaks when needed, prioritizing tasks, and choosing an optimal workspace. Effective time management can help filmmakers stay on track and complete projects.

1. Hamptonfilms
Time Management for Filmmakers

2. Time Management for Filmmakers
How Well Do You Plan?
NEVER SELDOM SOMETIMES OFTEN ALWAYS
How often do you plan in an effort to keep life
from running out of control? 1 2 3 4 5
Do you put daily plans on paper? 1 2 3 4 5
Do you allow flexibility in your plans? 1 2 3 4 5
How often do you accomplish all you plan for
a given day? 1 2 3 4 5
How often do you plan time for what matters
most to you? 1 2 3 4 5
How often is your daily plan destroyed by urgent
interruptions? 5 4 3 2 1
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3. Time Management for Filmmakers
6-10: Terrible Planner.
You should consider using new tools and processes to help you plan effectively. A great first step
would be to take a time management course.
11-15: Below average planner.
You may already have a planning system, but using it more effectively will help to reduce the stress
and lack of control you feel in your life.
16-20: Average planner.
Your planning system is working, but you can do better. You may need help focusing on priorities,
dealing with urgent interruptions or writing your daily plan.
21-25: Above-average planner.
Your planning system is working well. Keep up the good work, with periodic reviews to be sure you’re
planning around what matters most in your life.
26-30: Excellent planner--or candidate for burnout?
You have mastered planning and should experience the serenity that comes from taking charge of
your life. But make sure you’re in control of your planning rather than letting it control you.
Quiz written by time management expert Hyrum Smith chairman of the Franklin Covey Co.
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4. Time Management for Filmmakers
Advantages of Time Management:
 gain time
 motivates and initiates
 reduces avoidance
 promotes review
 reduces anxiety
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5. Time Management for Filmmakers
Understand the TRUE IMPORTANCE of why you are doing what
you are doing:
 Do you have a passion for the project?
 Who benefits from your work?
 What do you gain from completing the project?
 What are the risks?
 Who gives you support in your work?
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6. Time Management for Filmmakers
S-M-A-R-T T-I-P-S
S = Be Specific:
Vague: Going to edit today.
Specific: Going to complete a 3min segment with lower-thirds.
M = Measurable:
Not Measurable: Researching funding sources this week.
Measurable: Find 5 reliable funding sources each day for a total of 25 sources by the end
of the week.
A = Attainable:
Not Attainable: Edit 40 hours every week outside of work.
Attainable: Edit 2 hours every day outside of work and 6 hours during the weekend.
R = Realistic:
Unrealistic: Get into Full-Frame this year.
Realistic: Make the best film I can make given the resources I have available to me.
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7. Time Management for Filmmakers
S-M-A-R-T T-I-P-S
T = Take your time:
Rushing: Going to miss the festival deadline.
Taking your time: We will skip this year’s festival and submit a more polished film next year.
T = Take a brake:
Downward spiral: Everything is turning to mud, no end in sight.
Step away: Force yourself to walk away and come back the next day (or week) fresh.
I = Invigorate Yourself:
Do not become trapped in the editing cave.
Continue to exercise and socialize.
P = Place is important:
Do not work in a place that takes you away from your work.
Have a consistent creative workplace with very little or no distractions.
S = Set your priorities:
Set your priorities every week, and then re-examine your priorities everyday.
Work on high priorities first, low priorities last.
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8. Hamptonfilms
Time Management for Filmmakers