When working on a feature, the director have to oversee the production from pre to post, however there are opportunities to take on another project.. or two. Are there low periods within the production (let's say during editorial, before the first cut) when a director can start development or pre-production of another project?
Filmmaking / Directing : How many projects can you handle in a year? by Francisco Casals
How many projects can you handle in a year?
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Not only are there slow points but I would encourage people to work on other projects while starting/finishing other projects. Some filmmakers make films that might take them a long time to edit. So if they make, let's say a personal project that's important to them, they have the footage but they might have to hold off on editing it because they've gotten hired to work on something else.
For example I was writing a script and had to stop writing it because I was hired to write a different script for another company. It works out great for me because not only can I continue to pick up where I left off with what I was working on but meanwhile the other company I made the script for is trying to get that project made.
I've had situations where I was editing a project and had to stop editing it to work on other paid projects. The good thing is that while I work to make some projects other projects are being produced or getting accepted into film festivals while I'm working.
If you're editing a project you can easily take time on the weekends or whenever to either come up with a new project and take notes to give yourself an idea about the script you want to write. Or if you're not a writer you could be looking for material from other people to option.
It's all about how much work you can handle. If you can handle working on more than one project at a time you should!
I don't do edit and I don't micromanage editing like other directors do. I get involved after the first cut and from there take desicions perhaps get the DoP onboard who already knows my aesthetic to work closely with the editor. I want to be able to work on development or pre production while still on a film production with enough time in my hands for it not to become overwhelming or miss something because my attention is divided.