The best laid schemes of mice and men.

I have always believed in the old 'five Ps' phrase...'Prior Planning Prevents Poor Performance'.

Therefore, I always try to plan a project in great detail. I try to anticipate as many problems as possible and take into consideration all the possible downfalls that can occur along the production process...then I like to firmly cross all fingers and toes in the hope that all goes according to plan!

However, the most carefully prepared plans may go wrong and it is adapting to these external problems and unforeseeable conditions that makes a good project manager.

These problems will always creep in, no matter how hard you try to eliminate them. From unavoidable budget costs to uncontrollable weather conditions you will have to think quickly in order to solve the problem, but you must do this while maintaining a cool, calm and collective council. By staying calm in the face of a problem, you will be better equipped to think more clearly and concisely, but more importantly, you will maintain the confidence from the crew around you. There is no point in Frrrrrrrrreaking out because this has a negative feel that is passed on to the rest of the crew. There is nothing worse than watching a director who has lost control of a shoot, the confidence of the crew and more importantly...him/herself. The director is paid to make these decisions. So while it is fine to be 'frustrated', you should put on a poker face and keep it all inside, the responsibility ultimately stays with the director...and so do the pressures.

Remember that good solid planning is essential to any project, but never be so focused on the 'plan' itself, that it can not change. Roll with the punched and adapt the plan to fit with the solutions needed to get passed your sticking point. The good thing is that if you have planned properly in the first place, you will know it inside out and therefore you will know where and how to restructure the timings and adapt the plan to fit again and move forward.