“F you. You made it work.”

That’s the text our client sent us when he saw our teaser trailer for Andor Season 2. Honestly? It was the best possible response.

Previously we had two great cuts in the running. I loved them. Then we were tossed out a wildcard: what if you used that Steve Earle song, “The Revolution Starts Now”?
Cue skepticism. Cue doubt.

Our superstar editor, Phil Daccord, dropped a new cut that stunned me. It shouldn’t have worked. But it did.

As you know, it's never that easy. That first version we sent had ZERO dialog — it was all tone and spectacle; a perfect vibe. It was ridiculously cool, maybe too cool. But here come the notes. “Add dialog.” “Show some story.” And we all know that feeling — the dread that you’re about to ruin something that felt perfect.

But here’s the truth: We trusted the client. We trusted the process. And we trusted ourselves. Like Luke in the very first movie, we put on the blaster helmet and put our faith in the force.

We didn't worry about why this, why that. We just made the changes and made it work. And Phil found the line that still hits me every time:

“You’re here, you’re right here, and you’re ready to fight.”

It’s just like fried chicken. What the hell are you talking about, Jim Pascoe? Well, you know KFC is famous for its secret recipe of 11 herbs and spices. We live in a world where there are YouTube videos reverse engineering the colonel's magic.

But the real magic is the story of the secret. People want the mystery, they want the story.

Keep this in mind when you're creating. If you’re stuck on a song, a trailer, a book, a pitch — stop overthinking. Stop planning. Stop reverse-engineering success.

Close your eyes. Make it work.

You’re here. You’re right here. You’re ready to create.

Now go make some magic.

love,

jpp

Want help making some magic? Let RAVE Collective be your strategic partner. Hit reply. Let’s talk.

Cool Stuff

Tip of the hat to Stan Evans, commercial photographer & director, whom I had coffee with yesterday. Our discussion of Andor — and his comment about KFC — were the inspiration for this particular Playbook episode. Check out his work!

I’m into the work of Marianna Simnett. Her site says her work “uses vivid and visceral means to explore the body as a site of transformation.” I’m particularly drawn to her 2022-2024 work Crowns, which “examines the power, ferocity, and sublimity of allegorical female figures.”

Years ago I met the amazing Lou Bank, who at the time worked for Marvel Comics (and I worked for San Diego Comic-Con). Cut to almost 30 years later and we’ve reconnected. His non-profit, SACRED — Saving Agave for Culture, Recreation, Education, and Development — helps improve lives in the rural Mexican communities where heritage agave spirits are made. I support this organization, I support Lou, and of course I support drinking Mezcal (in moderation).

Do YOU have a cool project you would like me to share with my readers? Hit me up and maybe we’ll see you in an upcoming Playbook.