Biddle's Seasonal Production Advice: Costanza Theory

No, not George Costanza...FRANK Costanza. Yes, the character that gave us the "manziere" and Fesitvus. Biddle's "Costanza Theory" applies to all areas of production: pre, post, writing, audio, shooting, et. al.

Costanza Theory comes from the episode in which Kramer tries to start his own catering business. The plot reveals that as an Army cook, Frank tried to save a "gone-bad" side of beef by over seasoning, over marinating, and over cooking. The experience put Frank's comrades in the infirmary.

Rebels, if you have your self a bad hunk of beef (no attention to story, poor shooting, no shot plan, no shooting script, no rehearsals, bad lighting, bad audio, etc.) no amount of tricks such as color correction, audio sweetening, or (God, help you!) WIPES can save a bad hunk of beef. The more you mess with it, the worse it's gonna get...and making us sit there and watch it...ew.

Face it: if you have bad stuff, toss it and redo it. Simple planning saves elaborate (also time consuming and expensive) rescues that don't work. Really...they don't work. Post-production should be as creative and well-planned as all production, not a hell-bent-for-leather "Oh, crap now what," experience.

Let the Festivus begin!