Problem → Solution: My filmmaking project was stalling (and the simple fix that worked)

A one-page system to stop your film from drifting.

Problem: My feature filmmaking project was stalling.
Solution: Write a “non-negotiables” project document. (Example)

Dear Reader,

Most film projects don’t stall because of talent.
They stall because the goal gets blurry.

This is the small—but costly—problem I ran into while developing my feature film, Burying Doris. And this is the simple system I used to fix it.

The Problem

My project was still mentally scoped as a $1 million packaged prestige ensemble drama, even though the reality of the moment demanded something leaner.

That mismatch created friction everywhere:

• Creative decisions felt compromised

• Rewrites lacked conviction

• Conversations drifted toward what the film could be instead of what it actually was

Without a clearly defined center, the project was quietly losing focus.

The Solution

I wrote a Non-Negotiables document for the film.

One page.
No fluff.
No aspirational language.

Just the truth of the project—written down and defended.

This document became the filter for every creative, logistical, and emotional decision that followed.

What the Template Defines

The template is organized around four pillars—the areas where projects most often drift.

1. The Creative Heart (Story & Tone)

This section defines the soul of the film.

• The North Star Emotion
  When the credits roll, what is the single feeling the audience must walk away with?

• The Sacred Cow
  Is there a scene, line of dialogue, or character beat that—if removed—would make you feel like you didn’t actually make the movie?

• Genre Fidelity
  Is this a drama, comedy, thriller, or a deliberate genre-bender? What tonal rules cannot be broken?

• The Ending
  Do you already know how it ends? Is that ending fixed in stone, or open to change based on production realities?

2. The Aesthetic (Visuals & Audio)

This section protects the film’s identity.

• The Look
  Are there visual elements that are mandatory? (Handheld. Natural light. No CGI. Black and white.)

• The Location
  Is there a specific real-world setting the film requires? Does the story only work in a certain landscape?

• Sound & Music
  Is there a specific score, song, or sonic texture that defines the emotional experience?

3. The Logistics (Time, Money, People)

This is where honesty replaces fantasy.

• The Budget Cap
  The absolute maximum you are willing—or able—to spend. No mental gymnastics.

• The Timeline
  Any hard deadlines that shape the project.

• The Cast
  Are there roles that must be played by specific people, or is casting flexible?

• Crew Ethics
  Your non-negotiable standards on set: pay, hours, respect, safety.

4. Personal Boundaries & Definition of Success

This is the part most filmmakers skip—and the one that saves you.

• The Walk-Away Point
  What scenario would make you shut the project down rather than compromise?

• Your Definition of Success
  Is success:

  • Finishing the film?

  • Festival placement?

  • Profit?

  • A calling card?

(You can’t prioritize all of these equally. This forces the choice.)

How I Use It

I reference this document when:

• Rewriting scenes

• Cutting or reallocating budget

• Talking with collaborators

• Evaluating new ideas or notes

If a choice violates the non-negotiables, it’s an automatic no.

No debate.
No guilt.
No drift.

The Resource

👉 The Non-Negotiables Template for Feature Films (Link)

Use it for:

• Micro-budget features

• Shorts

• Proofs of concept

• Any long-term creative project that needs focus

Fill it out once. Revisit it often.

Final Thought

Small problems compound quietly.
Clear constraints compound powerfully.

If this helps you move one project forward, it did its job.

We can do it.
Together, with faith.

— M.P. Rekola

P.S. How I Sustain the Work

I’m an independent creator. I don’t have a studio overhead or trust fund backing this work. I earn my living through:

• Affiliate links, views, and one-time donations (click here).

• Sales of The Modern Filmmaker’s On-Set Filmmaking Dictionary on Amazon

• Producing industrial and commercial work through Goodworks (you can hire us)

• Consulting on individual projects

• And a micro drive-in movie theatre, I’m currently building

None of this is separate from the art.
It’s what allows the art to keep happening.
Reach out if you have an opportunity.
Reminder— advice & networking are always free.