Choker

Sometimes things bite you in the arse when you least expect it.

I directed a play, which was performed a couple of months ago. I've been proud of the fact that most people enjoyed it, disappointed that it made a loss and happy that I got through my first major directorial job without pissing anyone off in a big way.

Then, we had the post-production meeting. And one of the actors told me that I'd completely pissed him off and he had been on the verge of walking out.

I had no idea. Apparently I'd been told that I needed to modify certain aspects of the way I held rehearsals. But, obviously, the message didn't get through. He spent most of the production thinking I was deliberately ignoring the advice, or that I had something against his performance, when, in fact, I simply didn't realize that there was a problem.

It would appear that, in future, I need to think more carefully about what I say to the cast, and I have to be especially careful when making criticisms. That I can accept and it's fair comment.

But I feel that someone could have said something to me much earlier so it would have allowed people to have enjoyed themselves. I'm not the only one to whom it came as a bit of a shock. Which makes me think that maybe any dissatisfaction could have been wiped out with some careful diplomacy.

Two lessons for us all then.

1. Try not to hurt peoples' feelings.
2. If someone you have to work with is hurting your feelings by thoughtless behaviour - tell them!

Now, how the hell do I go about putting no. 2 into practice. I so hate confrontation!