Director Gifts

'How the hell do I tell them i haven't a clue where we're going?'

Goldilocks at Sundance.

"I have to ask you a few questions. I've written a screenplay. Would you read it?"

"Enough storyboarding. Let's shoot something."

"Looks like we found the issue."

"Just when you're about to lose faith in humanity, you see Shakespeare in the Park."

'Who's the designated leaker?'

"All right, let's do it again. This time, you're good at acting."

'And the vote to have a unanimous consensus passed five to two.'

'Don't let it throw you - It's just a negotiating tactic.'

"It's agreed. I'll try to get the best of you and you'll try to get the best of me."

'Last week many of us had a tight schedule so our meeting was rushed and very short. Miss Jones, please read us the seconds of our last meeting.'

'My strength lies in my ability to deny my weaknesses.'

Sad boss: "This one pretty much sums it up."

'I hear your distribution network is second to none.'

'And no more of those old fashioned ideas, Simms.'

'Would you mind if I made a few calls while I carefully listen to your ideas?'

'Our short term solution is money. Our long term solution is more money.'

'I encourage diversity of opinion, but not with me,'

"I like to keep things simple."

"So. . . who'd like to have a go at defining Britishness?"

"I was just going to say, 'Well, I don't make the rules.' But, of course, I do make the rules."

Bo're'droom

'Shifting the paradigm didn't work. Time for Plan B...shifting the blame.'

"The purpose of this meeting is finding someone who will take the blame for my bad decisions."

"Are we afraid of a little competition? Based on the figures, absolutely."

'I'm uncertain on this, but I could be wrong.'

We're looking at better ways to share our knowledge & expertise. But I'm not going to tell you what they are.'

'We are making a film of the book.'

'Granted, the Board of Directors didn't think much of your proposal, but I think they'll be impressed by your resilience!'

'Let's all link hands and think positive thoughts...'

'I am more than willing to acknowledge my mistakes if someone is stupid enough to point them out to me.'

'We were going to define the problem but it was simpler to re-define success.'

"Thank you for your opinion."

Virginia A. Dodd: Director of Finance, wife, Mother of Two. Caution: Contents under pressure.