When In Doubt, Stick To Your Vision
“Doubt can only be removed by action.”
– Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Still photo from Small Work Directed by Shana Lee Gibson
I spent three months preparing for something that would unfold in 24 hours: a short documentary shot over one intense weekend with a crew of ten, including the characters themselves.
I had a vision. But I also knew that no matter how thoroughly I planned, reality wouldn’t follow the script. My goal was to stay true to the heart of the story while following the unfolding journey.
Part of my challenge was identifying the inciting incident. It’s one thing to tell a story that has already occurred through interviews and re-creation, and it's an entirely different matter to film a character trying something for the first time.
I felt like I was swimming in circles, asking myself the same questions over and over again.
Finally, I tread water for a few days by stepping away from the computer and weeding. Weeds are insidious, like self-doubt. So I used the practice as a metaphor, and before long, the answers became clear.
Despite all that preparation, I woke up at 3 a.m. after the first day of filming in a quiet panic.
Do I even have a film?
I lay there, trying to replay the moments in my mind. But there were too many moving parts to form a clear picture. And the second day loomed with a precarious task. It would either work or it wouldn’t. There was no in-between.
The clock ticked 3:30 am, and I reminded myself that I had extensive preparation under my belt and was well-equipped to direct this documentary. Sleep returned, and when I woke up, a small gift awaited me.
The DP had sent over a handful of stills. As I scrolled through them, something shifted. There it was—my film, alive in pictures.
Anxiety ebbs and flows on set. Filmmaking is a delicate dance—holding the story in your mind while allowing people to be themselves under the all-seeing, all-knowing camera eye of Sauron.
And then there are the practical layers: keeping the schedule, checking the light, losing time in places you didn’t expect to, running for extra batteries—or sandwiches.
We’re not a Hollywood production. We don’t have trailers or assistants. So we’re doing what we need to do—whether that means doing dishes or checking in on crew morale.
Production wouldn’t be complete without its surprises. We were lucky to experience some extraordinary ones: our Producer Cameron Russell raised $4000 for our expenses, working with the humble and talented BAFTA-winning Sound Operator Chris Duesterdiek; meeting Oscar-winning Set Designer Jim Erickson in front of a hardware store; and celebrating with a wrap party where conversations drifted toward The Artist’s Way, TV shows free from violence, and cuddly chickens.
Filming in 24 hours is intense. It’s a pressure cooker that tests your planning, your flexibility, and your emotional stamina. But when people love what they’re doing—and when you lead with respect and kindness—the work is joyful, even when it’s hard.
And, it helps to keep a bit of chocolate in your pocket. Just in case a character needs a little motivation.
“As soon as you trust yourself, you will know how to live.”
―Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, Faust, First Part
In appreciation for your being here,
Shana Lee
P.S. The Documentary, ‘Small Work’, was shot over two days, May 31st and June 1st and will be entered into the Art Of Documentary One Day Doc Competition on June 30th, 2025.