Client wanted me to stop a live recording and tell the guest to use his left hand instead of his right. I'm not joking.
I just got back from witnessing (and being part of) the most unhinged podcast editing session of my life, and I need to know if I'm losing my mind or if this is actually as insane as it feels.
The setup:
Small room. Multiple cameras (guest, host, co-host, plus a center wide). Cramped table. Host's wife also sitting there. No space to reposition anything.
The client:
Extremely specific. Wants a perfectly clean show. No "ums." No pauses. No natural conversation flow. They sat next to the editor (Caleb) for two hours, critiquing every single word, sentence, and transition live.
The moment that broke me:
The guest uses his hands when he talks. At one point, his hand briefly covered part of his face. I didn't flag it as a distraction because... it's a human being gesturing naturally.
The client pulled me aside and said I should have stopped the live recording, interrupted the conversation, and told the guest to use his left hand instead of his right. That way, the hand wouldn't block his face.
I asked, "How is he supposed to know that?"
Their answer: "That's your job to catch and correct in the moment."
The kicker:
Caleb and I agree the only real fix is moving the cameras. But the room is too small. We suggested alternatives (higher tripods, digital crops, losing the dedicated guest cam). Client shot down every single one because they're "very specific" about their shots.
So instead of accepting physics, they blame me for not babysitting the guest's handedness.
Am I crazy for thinking this is insane?
Editors, have you ever had a client this deep in the perfectionism rabbit hole? How do you handle it without getting fired? And seriously — do I need a "Left Hand Only" clause in my next contract, or should I just run?