Anyone else ever get burned out

Peternap

Well-known member
I'm getting to the end of the longest and most detailed Doc I've ever done.

I've worked on it since last November almost daily. I have 2-3 terabyte drives of video and audio. About half of them hidden camera and mic and every second I've used of them had to be cleaned up to be usable.

This involves local Government Corruption and includes tampering with evidence so dozens of FOIA's and reviewing dozens of subpoenaed information as well as security videos and key logs.

I've had to butt heads with the State Attorney Generals office, Homeland Security and that is like trying to stop the wind from blowing, getting video of "Critical Infrastructure" has been trying and lots involved an 800mm lens from the top of a hill.

Records have been destroyed in violation of state law to keep me from getting them and I file so many complaints with state agencies, they know me by sight now.

Another 6 weeks this should be over and I've tried to build the Doc as develops so all I have to do is put an ending on it.

I've spent the last 40 out of 48 hours finishing the latest part and showed it to a group involved.

They were generally favorable but the big complaints were.
1. The actress narrating this part should use tooth whitener to really bring out her smile.:huh:
2. The hidden mic I was wearing created some popping and scratching once in a while:(:(

I'm just ranting because I'm dead a$$ed tired and I have to start editing again in a few hours. Tuesday will be court day again and I have to be finished with this so I can start on what promise to be fireworks then.:zombie_smiley:
 
Hey Peter
Hang in there. All I watch are docs these days. Don't have anything to say. Just I hear ya.
I feel making films can be hell. I try to throw the whole experience down the memory hole after I'm finished with a project and holding the final dvd in my hand say to myself "Where the Hell did this come from?"
Good luck.
Kevin
 
Yeah man, hang in there! Work like this is a lot more important than you think!

Your mere presence around such corruption serves as a deterrent!

Keep on keepin on brotha!
 
I've been on a feature for almost 3 years now. Shot it 5 times. Finished twice. I think it blows. People now laugh as it's a small town. I have put it away for a while, and am still not happy. I'll do it again, I like the story, but yeah. I'm burned out. Just to throw down my prize gem, my 5th main actress pointed her finger at me (ten years younger) and (possibly jokingly but with a snappy undertone) told me that she'd 'kill me if i didn't finish this time'.

She goes and dyes her hair platinum blonde three days afterwards, and emails me a few hours after freaking out about how she forgot and just remembered. After 3 cans of peroxide or whatever. Peroxide. Platinum Blonde.

I went with a wig, and hated the process. I just hated filmmaking that week. This one I'm missing it, a few more days and I think I'll shoot a short. But yeah, burned out sucks. It is hell, and shouldn't be. Hard work ain't hell. That can feel good as far as i remember.

Hang in there man. Take a break till you can't stand yourself for not working. I am.
 
Started in the office at 7AM today (Sunday) after a full week+working yesterday (Saturday). Yeah, you can color me burned-out.
 
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