In 2003, my friend Matt came to me with an opportunity to get involved with a film project.
He was looking for investors, had a great script, and a fantastic casting director lined up.
It seemed promising, so I said yes and wrote the check.
Funny, do people even write checks anymore? Anyway...
Once we started getting into the details, Matt told me: Good, Fast, Cheap... pick two.
When making a film, you’re only allowed to pick two…
- If it's Good and Fast, it won't be Cheap; achieving high quality quickly requires more resources.
- If it's Good and Cheap, it won't be Fast; quality takes time, especially when working with limited resources.
- If it's Fast and Cheap, it won't be Good; rushing and using fewer resources typically means lower quality.
The "Good, Fast, Cheap” principle is a well-known rule in Hollywood that can be applied broadly to business and personal decision-making.
It's about the trade-offs between quality, time, and cost.
My friend Turney, who recently moved back to the City, applied his version when searching for an apartment.
Neighborhood, Square Footage, Price… pick two.
In any venture, prioritizing two elements inevitably compromises the third.
This rule serves as a reminder to set realistic expectations and make strategic choices about where to allocate effort and investment.
The film was "Grand Theft Parsons," starring Johnny Knoxville, Christina Applegate, and Michael Shannon, which made its way to Sundance in 2004.
We chose good and cheap, so it wasn’t fast. It’s currently available on Peacock. It was a great experience and a lot of fun!
