My worst post production mistake occurred during the height of 50 Cent, and the G-Unit fame. The G-Unit was conquering music charts, and 50 Cent tried to conquer the box office with his own biographical movie Get Rich or Die Tryin’ (There’s even a video game based on that movie.) Basically, he was at the center of popular entertainment during that period.
I was hired as an editor for a feature-length G-Unit documentary because 50 Cent is always hustling, wants to get a DVD out asap before the movie DVD is released. It’s similar to his mixtape game where he has something new regularly, which all content creators can identify with nowadays.
I was working on it for 2, 3 weeks and got a call to present a cut to 50 Cent. My cut was more of an assembly than a rough cut, but I hustled to be more presentable. Besides, I hope, 50 Cent must know and can judge a rough cut now that he’s experienced in making a Hollywood movie.
I consolidated the footage into my most fancy LaCie hard drive that was in vogue. It’s heavy like a brick, but its solid iron shell exudes professionalism and confidence. And its Firewire connecter was ideal to present my cut in full HD glory.
Like a professional, I went early to the G-Unit Records office, across from the Madison Square Garden. I hooked up the drive to a Mac and powered it on. The drive instantly popped with a sparkle and started to fume. I immediately turned it off but it was already late. The drive was done and gone at the instant I turned it on because I brought a WRONG power cable.
The faint smell of burning plastic filled the office. It wasn’t strong enough to set off an alarm, but I was devastated because this is going to be the first impression of me, and my work for 50 Cent. I could care less about losing an expensive, fancy hard drive.
There’s nothing more I could do but crack open a window and apologized profusely about my blunder. Fortunately 50 Cent was running late, so I left with my drive and my tail between my legs bidding another time/chance.
There are few more episodes regarding this venture, but this is where the story ends for now.
Because of this traumatic experience, I never bought another LaCie drive, with my money.