When Time Slips Away
A Lesson in Respecting the Process
In the world of video production, time is more than a line on an invoice. It’s the invisible scaffolding that holds a project together. It begins long before the camera rolls — in the early-morning phone calls, the careful coordination of crew and gear, and the stream of emails confirming the vision.
And sometimes, it ends abruptly — with a last-minute cancellation.
This is a story not of blame, but of insight. A glimpse behind the curtain to help clients, coordinators, and even fellow creatives understand what really happens before “action” is ever called.
The Hidden Hours of Pre-Production
Let’s say a corporate shoot comes up. A new client is eager to get started. We’re happy to jump in — that’s our job. So we begin:
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We assemble a crew: Camera operator, audio tech, lighting grip, director of photography, teleprompter tech.
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We check availability, confirm rates, and coordinate gear packages.
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We fill out onboarding forms: Tax forms, NDAs, vendor profiles, insurance certificates.
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We block off our calendars and decline other opportunities to keep that time sacred.
Sometimes, this process can take a few hours. Other times, it stretches into days. But it’s part of the job, and we take pride in being thorough.
When Plans Change – and Time Slips Away
We all know things happen — budgets shift, schedules realign, or executive decisions put projects on hold. And when they do, we adapt. But when a shoot is cancelled without acknowledgment of the preparation already invested, something important gets lost in translation: the value of time.
To the client, it may seem like a simple schedule change.
To the production crew, it can feel like lost momentum, missed income, and hours that can’t be reclaimed.
Educating Through Experience
This isn’t a finger-pointing piece. It’s a gentle nudge. A reminder that even unseen hours are valuable. That the people behind the cameras and lights are professionals whose time, like yours, matters.
Here are a few suggestions that can make all the difference:
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Booking Agreements: Consider a nominal prep fee or cancellation clause to honor the work done in advance.
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Clear Communication: If a project is tentative, let us know. We’re happy to pencil it in rather than sharpie it.
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Respect the Timeline: Pre-production is a delicate dance of logistics and timing. A quick note of appreciation goes a long way.
Final Thoughts
At Crystal Pyramid Productions, we’ve learned that mutual respect is the foundation of every great collaboration. We bring heart, hustle, and decades of experience to every production — even the ones that don’t make it to set.
So here’s to clearer communication, fair preparation policies, and a shared understanding that time — ours and yours — is one of the most valuable resources in the creative process.
Let’s honor it together.
