Know Thyself

In Australia they say it takes between 5 to 10 years to make a feature film. That view has always been very puzzling for me. Who's says? is it a time frame that someone pulled out of thin air? is it a statistic? or a way of making filmmakers feel despondent?
If you break it down it really only is a collection of decision, maybe you can even get that collection down to a number such as 8 or 10. Why should it take that long? I think the whole process of creating a world that audiences want to engage with is more about the journey of getting to know yourself. I can think of a couple of directors who are also producers of their films (a big no, no in some countries) who get a project up within a couple of years. What makes them different, is it because they have a track record? but that can't be because there are many second and third time directors who have given up or are still working on their 'love' project. So what is it? is it similar to people who have a terminal illness and decided that they will with they mind 'cure themselves' either my changing their thought patterns or simply adoption an alternative lifestyle, versus those who just sit and wait for the illness to 'get them' or be eradicated through traditions means.
Having been through the process thus far I really think its to do with belief systems and expectations. Along the way of making a feature film there are so many compromise that have to be made, on practical, or creative or financial levels. There are many people who either hate or love your ideas, and why do we mostly believe the 'bad' feedback. There is very strong undercurrent of belief that if the government says 'yes ' to your project suddenly it exist and is somehow more worthwhile. As a very wise person once called it ' a funding nipple'. You get a bit, get hooked and they forever want to be attached because its satisflying and affirming. We have been very fortunate with this film because it has been partially funded by the government and partially by private investors. Trusting yourself and yet at the same time being able to listen to others is a real skill.
The one particular director I can think of had no duality. He doesn't compromise, always listens to himself over the opinions of his producer and trusts his ability to know what the audience wants and how to deliver it . He is cocky, brave and overbearing but gets the job done.He is famous and prolific. Maybe the whole journey is to find out how far one has to bend? how far to compromise?
Once very clear example of that was, when we were looking for the 15th Century location in Poland the Production Designer visited few 'Skansens' (re-created old villages) there are lots of them in Poland. He found one that was close to Warsaw, which would have been convenient and was 'good enough' . So one very early morning we drove a couple of hours to see this place. Everyone had really hope this would be it. The director of the recreated village were lovely, it was flat land ( so still ok for trucks even if it had poured) the forest was close and the house OK. We reached the chosen potential location and everyone piled into this tiny house. So 10 crew and the directors, and the production designer who just kept telling me how fantastic it was. This was the moment. I literally could hear the thought of "please let this be the one, so we can wrap this up and go back"
Thank God Marta must have noticed and asked everyone to leave so Marcus and I could stand in the space and sense it. Firstly it was way too small, because we needed tracks and it just wasn't right. I knew that looking for more location would cost money and time (which in film making is money) but I recognised this was the moment, of knowing how to and when to bend to make thing easier and when to stand strong. It was a no, and we drove back.