Visit the Ask Chris Blog

 

How much lead time do you need on a video project?

Q: We have a project coming up in 3 months. How much lead time do you need on a video project?

A: You can never have too much time on a project. Most projects can be completed in a few weeks although there have been times we've completed them in days (even hours!). If you know the project is a go, talk to your producer now to find out what he needs.

If you wait until the last minute, the energy you could be putting into the creative aspects of your project will be spent trying to track down artwork, get scripts approved, and scheduling meetings.

I know that most production companies would appreciate a heads-up in advance of a project. It helps them to clear the decks and concentrate solely on your project.

Q: I've got a ton of apples and I'm itching to make a pie but I'm pastry-phobic. Can you help?

A: Good pie crusts are nothing to be afraid of. Just follow these directions and you'll have a great pie crust.

• 3 cups of flour (pastry flour is best but regular unbleached white is okay too)
• 1/2 cup of butter, frozen
• 1/2 cup of vegetable shortening (such as Crisco) chilled in the freezer for 30 minutes
• 5-10 Tablespoons of very cold water
• 2 Tablespoons of sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon of salt

Place the flour, salt and sugar in a food processor (use the steel blade) and mix for 5 seconds. Add the butter and shortening in small chunks. Pulse the food processor 10-15 times. The butter and shortening will be cut in with the flour and you should have a mixture that resembles coarse meal. It is okay to have small pieces of butter as long as they aren't larger than a pea.

Dump the flour mixture into a bowl and sprinkle with 5 tablespoons of cold water. Use a fork and gently toss the flour mixture to incorporate the water. You don't want to mix this too vigorously. Add water a tablespoon at a time until the mixture begins to clump together. When you can gather the dough in your hand and squeeze it together and it holds shape, you're done.

Split the dough in half, and put each half in a plastic bag. Refrigerate for an hour. Then roll out and use with your favorite pie recipe.