Celluloid documentation of a successful project

I watched the almost 8 hours of the Beatles' "Get Back" documentary. What an amazing accomplishment that was... Going into a studio with no material recording for 150 hours over three weeks with almost 5 of the days in those three business weeks having no recording or writing done due to some conflicts and equipment problems. Then... staging a live concert and recording session with all new material on a rooftop on a cold day in January, 1969.

All of the warts are on display and myths about this period are largely busted. It definitely shows that the news media was developing and selling rumor even then. Some of the myths it dispels? Lennon was strung out on heroin. Ono was a pivot point destroying the team spirit. The group couldn't work together. They were no longer having fun. In a candid moment caught on video, McCartney jokingly states that "fifty years from now" people will think the group broke up because Ono sat on a amplifier. Many of these myths, if true, probably would have made the project impossible. Instead, we find that the project success was actually highly probable given the real facts.

So many considered this a dismal failure, but the results of this effort in 1969 were nothing short of brilliant given the conditions. A hit movie that was also difficult to watch. A number one album that was on the charts for a year. A plethora of music that was later used on the final album and solo albums. Several charting songs like "Let It Be", "Long and Winding Road", "Get Back" and that marvelous rooftop recording session/concert. With this documentary, there are also related albums, books, and other products from something originally developed more than 50 years ago.

Nothing short of an amazing, dazzling display of talent, brilliance, and determination. But I suspect, given the topic and the length it's not a documentary for everyone, yet it's instructive.

The documentary is a far cry from the original theatrical film released in 1970. It shows a group of close friends overcoming personal and professional barriers whereas the original film portrayed the members as disinterested and somewhat harsh at times. Ultimately, this documentary demonstrates that success can come even in problematic projects. It also shows that communication, relationships, and even satisfaction in working the problem is key.

This production may be considered the simply documenting of a recording session, but it's filled with lessons in project management, technology management, creativity, and how important working relationships can be to mitigate risks and move even the most problematic projects forward to completion and success.

Anyone wanting to see an example of success under a series of bad circumstances and questionable decisions this movie is a short course in success. Key elements leading to the success were raw talent, sheer force of will, determination, willingness to communicate, and adaptability of all involved. This documentary demonstrates those key characterics need for success in well formed and poorly conceptualized projects.

If someone wrote a dissertation on this as a project that succeeded against all odds and how it became so, it could be an inciteful on success rising from a mire of problems.