Douglas Cheney
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Field Notes
Short ideas, worth keeping.
The Producer in Me
Being a producer myself makes me a better collaborator with producers. I know what a schedule costs, what a change order means, and when a creative ask is actually worth the trade. Trust runs both ways.
Protecting the Performance
Talent performs best when they feel protected. That's not about being gentle for its own sake — it's practical. A performer who trusts the room gives you more than one who's guarding themselves.
Before Everyone's Ready
The best shot is often the one before everyone knows you're rolling. I keep the camera close and the crew quiet a beat longer than feels natural — that's usually where the real moment lives.
Shooting Ratio
Shooting ratio matters more than acquisition format. I'd rather work in a format everyone trusts and cover a scene properly than chase the newest camera and come up short in the edit. Coverage is what saves a story — not the sensor.