MEETING MY HERO

There’s my hero. He’s sitting in a chair, the chair we asked him to sit in. He’s not chatty, but he’s certainly not rude. Just quiet, focused.

I’m checking lights, cameras. I’m the DP today, and I’ve got more people reporting to me than I’ve ever had. I’ve got two camera operators, a gaffer, and a grip, all waiting for my directions. But right now, they’re all busy.

My director, Jason, is the one who brought me in on the whole gig. He’s trusting me on this set, and he’s giving me feedback on the image. But right now, he’s busy. In fact, everyone is busy.

Except me and him, my hero in the chair, the chair we told him to sit in. It’s just us for a second, and he’s still got a focused look as he gazes into the floor inches in front of his feet. But I like him and I want to tell him that without telling him that outright. What’s more, I want him to like being in the chair.

So I think back to what I know about my hero, what he’s been up to lately in the public eye, and how I can be as tactical as possible in delivering my sincere appreciation. I’ve got only a few moments before someone will come back and disturb this opportunity like a stone on calm water. Finally, it comes to me. And after a deep breath, I open it up.

“Congratulations on your mile time,” I say. He looks up, softens his face, smiles gently, and tips his head forward slightly.

“Thank you,” said Malcom Gladwell.