In the first blush of any relationship, the romance can easily outpace the reality. Staying up all night, sitting on an empty beach and talking until the sun comes up is far more important than worrying about work in the morning. Later, when the bills are due and the thrill of the new wears off, there are still responsibilities that need to be met.
This applies just as much to creative partnerships. In the early stages of a project, the energy is almost entirely creative. The discussions are on world building and character arcs and the what if that ennobles the heart of any well told tale. As the project matures, however, a second kind of relationship builds, where the details of a full partnership need attention.
Lately, I’ve been reflecting on the professional rhythm that exists between writers and production companies. In speculative fiction, navigating complex systems is a task we’re familiar with but sometimes, the most complex systems aren’t the ones on the page, but in the production offices.
THE RESPONSIBILITY OF RECIPROCITY
The old saying is as true today as it was when the dance was invented: It takes two to tango.
There’s a unique momentum when a project enters pre-production. It’s a period that requires a high degree of active partnership. The kids still have to get to school, no matter how late the two of you stayed up last night. In the creative world, for the author it means delivering the final administrative pieces; the signatures, the assignments, the “Chain of Title,” updates, etcetera. These items, while not the prose or vision of a novel or screenplay, are critically important to clear the path for financing and production.
When only one partner operates in good faith however, something invariably gets missed and the kids’ lunch doesn’t get packed. When a creator performs their duties in good faith, the expectation is that the production entity will do the same: acknowledging milestones, providing clear updates, and honoring the financial triggers that allow the work to continue.
WHEN THE PARENTS NO LONG TALK
We often hear about “financing gaps” or “merger delays” as part of the industrial reality of film and television. While these are common hurdles, they shouldn’t result in communication gaps.
Integrity in this industry isn’t just about the quality of the script; it’s about the quality of the relationship. When the “business of the business” begins to stall the actual momentum of the story, it’s a signal that the architecture of the partnership needs reinforcement. Trust is the foundational element of any “Chain of Title,” and that trust is maintained through transparency, not silence.
MOVING THE HORIZON
I’ve always moved forward with a sense of professional velocity. Kristine Katherine Rusch said something to me back in 2005 that hasn’t left the forefront of my professional mind: Professional writers do not miss deadlines. I’ve stayed up all night many times, gone to the day job the next day and done it again just to ensure I did not fail in that regard. On the flip side of that coin, I believe that writers must then become active advocates for the health of their own products.
The goal is to continue the forward momentum and to stay pointed toward the horizon, but for the horizon to stay in focus, the ground we stand on–the contracts and communication–must be solid.
I am committed to ensuring that as my work expands, the partnerships behind it reflect the same standard of promise-keeping and excellence that I demand from every word I commit to the page. That’s my bond to the readers and the viewers, without whom none of this would matter.
–Joseph Paul Haines
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