Hey guys, it's Daniel the filmmaker here!
Maybe you've had this experience too in the course of your career... Or something similar. Here's the story:
A few months ago I was helping a friend with a shoot- it was a low-to-mid budget short film and he had a couple of very accomplished artists working for him (who shall remain nameless). Day by day, my friend was asking one of them (the DP) to do specific things for the movie, but he rarely complied, bringing up all kinds of issues for his refusals, such as: Not enough money. Too unrealistic. It'd be better, if kept simpler, and the usual load.
It always, invariably, ended up in a verbal war between them, with the DP having it his way most of the time and doing things his way, which, as we later on saw in the dailies, wasn't always (visually or artistically) the best way. It was only the simplest way.
I was as if, his past and reputation, had turned him by default or by some unwritten rule into the boss of that set.
My friend grew angrier and more frustrated by the day, and in his eyes I could see many regrets surfacing-- like somebody was changing and stealing from him the vision he had for the movie.
So, since I'm going to be in the same position as him, meaning I'm going to have 3 or 4 accomplished artists & filmmakers working on my first feature film, my question to you is:
How do you motivate these giants on set without having to compete for authority? How do you get them to do their best work for you within the limited resources you have? How do you tip the scale in your favor? (meaning the film's favor).
Thanks a million guys!! Soon amazing news about my horror debut feature in development... Stay tuned!!
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The DP should play devils advocate, make ‘arguments’ when there’s a good point to be made; but understand, it’s not the DP’s movie.
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Is this the same post, reposted for new commentary?
Stephen Folker
Nope! It's my same post, but on a new lounge.
Jeffrey Wager
Very much agree with that Jeffrey... That was the point of the post!
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All good Daniel! :)
I was going to drop a comment ...but then was thinking...wait a minute..I think I already commented on this a week or two ago.
Hope you get things figured out! :)
Have a great day!
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Here is my 2 cents. Im new to the business but it is still a business. I"ve created platforms for big clients, they hirw me for expertise and to put together a stellar team and create olan and budget based upon vision. We do a lot of work upfront to get the owners vision and execute it. But we always show the beta versio. 1st, test and get feedback. No matter how creative or experienced engineer or artist or pm or designer we still need the business owner or durector to approve. If it isnt what they want, we have to adjust and make right. Otherwise u lose ur contract, get cut or end up redoing work, which sets everything back. Client is whoever pays the bill. It is thier money and thier investment that keeps u employeed. Bc that product (film) has to be sold to get investment back. Hence, the cycle can repeat and contract renewed or brought onto another project. U are only as good as ur last job. I dont understand how filmakers dont get this. Reputation matters. No matter which industry. Your work is your portfolio. In IT, Ego has no place. It shoukd have no place in film. You have to stand ur ground if it is ur money, they are just work for hire. If the product suck and ur name is attached, ur screwed. My advice, pick ur team wisely, manage ur time snd mobey wisely. Create art and superior product u will be proud of and enjoy the blessing to be in a job u love. People who make ur film suck, no matter how big thier name, can go. U pay them by the day. Cut them quickly. There is no shortage of talent or people who share and want to help create ur vision. Producers pay a Director to work with a team. But ultimately the producer or director or (owner of the final product) should be held responsible for these issues. Communication and making adjustments is key. No tolerance for crap or crappy ppl.
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If you're the person paying the paychecks, you respectfully talk to the talent/crew privately and tell him/her their way is wrong. And if they continue on, you fire them. End of day, you tell them not to come back.
I worked on many music videos and some top tier commercials with ASC Cinematographers. You gotta draw a firm line when they start shooting "their reel" on your project.
My first low budget feature I was producing, I had a disagreement with the Dp. She wanted more grip equipment. I said no. She said she will quit, I said quit.
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Honestly, you need to take yourself seriously. These "giants" as you call them are just people. They may be accomplished but they are there for the same reason you are, to tell a great story. If you have to compete for authority with someone, that's a personality issue, not an issue of experience or credits or number of awards. You set the tone on set. You stick to your vision. If you get better ideas, great! If not, thanks but no thanks. Whoever it is, agreed to be there knowing the circumstances - the scales are already tipped in your favor.
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Agree with Dan MaxXx .
Who cares what their level of accomplishments are.
You hire them, you fire them. Simple as that. No different than if you run any other business.
Big egos and overly dramatic people are poison on any project and just makes for an uncomfortable experience for everyone, no matter the budget level.
Dan MaxXx
Thank you Dan!! Always the greatest advice coming from you.
Niki H
First of all Niki, let me tell you, that I agree with almost everything you said... Yes, in an ideal world that's how it should work. And that is certainly how I intend to set the tone for my movie.
But then I've seen many times that, when you're right in the middle of a shoot, lots of unexpected stuff can (and probably will) happen. And it's not so much an issue of someone not taking himself or herself seriously, or an issue of personality, or too much reverence for the celebrated artists working on your film . Rather, it's a matter of "power plays" that sometimes someone whose reputation is a lot bigger than yours utilize, tipping the scale of power in their favor and messing things up big time on set. Sometimes, you must fight!! If there's a critic that I feel making to my friend, it's just that he was too passive. He let things slide one time too many. He didn't fight hard enough for the things he wanted, in order to preserve peace on set. And in the end, it was the movie that suffered for it and his rep.
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Great comments all. Hopefully, the experience will be a good lesson for your friend. Good luck with your project Daniel. Keep us posted here!
Joe Orlandino
For sure, Joe!! Thank you for the support!
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Stephen Folker
Hey Stephen, yes it can be complicated.
Actually, before this experience on my friend's shoot, the same thing happened to me on a short I directed 7-8 years ago. A power play was in act by my DoP, who was 70 yo & coming from Rome, and basically treated us all (me included) like a bunch of "know-nothing upstart kids from film school". Then & there I learned the importance of fighting this thing... But not fighting with arrogance, like "You're an asshole and we're going to do it my way because what I say here goes".
No. Rather, fighting with guile and diplomacy, trying to bring that person closer to me, in order to get the best out of him creatively. Cause, in the end, you need them. Need that expertise.And I don't believe those people who say "Hey, just have better answers than them. Or, be more knowledgeable" Well, to me that's a bunch of jive. Because there's no way in hell you're going to have more technical answers than somebody who has had 30 years more than you in the industry and has done 45 movies already... No way! Especially, if you're making your first feature. But my thing instead is: Use that knowledge! Challenge them constantly (but with respect) to come up with stuff, when you see them over-relaxing too much. Try to take everything from their experience, so that your film will be enriched by it. Cause, at the end of the day, that's what you will be judged upon... Nobody will care who won the arguments, if the movie sucks.
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Who are you dealing with?
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Stephen Folker
Oh, I'm afraid I can't disclose that yet... But, I will regularly post my progress on the movie here & on my other social media, and you can follow us there Stephen. I'm sure sooner or later you will know who they are.
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Completely agree Daniel! Things are always different on set. I didn't mean to imply you shouldn't fight. You absolutely should. You cannot be passive if you want your vision carried out. Fight for what you want. No need for arguments or actual fighting, but don't back down. Of course, always listen to those around you but once you give someone a bit of your power, you can't take it back.
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1st, the hope would be to interview your choice of DP whose work is in style with your movie+budget. Even if the hire isn’t yours, you still should use valuable pre production to communicate, collaborate, compromise, and ‘vibe’ BEFORE Day 1 of shooting. Also of great benefit is to know their craft as much as possible to practically understand their challenges of time+budget. Perhaps Audit an advanced cinematography class + stay up to date with myriad podcasts like https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/go-creative-show/id539359582. Also in a director’s arsenal is to motivate, share respect, and demonstrate a clear vision. (Stuff we already know!) #congrats. I just want to add, that I have seen skeptical talent and crew come on board when they see how much prep the director has done. This does shift the power to you, as no-one knows the story better than you, and you can say as much with diplomacy of course. #breakakeg
@Les Small
Thank you Les!! I really appreciate your comment... and especially the bottom part. I coudn't agree more with it!
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I recommend this Stage 32 webinar on being a first time director taught by one of the top ADs in the industry, John Mattingly: https://www.stage32.com/webinars/An-Insiders-Guide-For-First-Time-Directors