Filmmaking / Directing : What is YOUR "Directing Special Sauce"? by Karen "Kay" Ross

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Hi Karen :) Yes, actually, this is how my career got started. I was an extra / bit part player in Miami during the "Miami Vice" era (5 seasons in the 80's). I made friends with the production crew as I was pretty much a regular on set for 5 seasons. I met Joe Foglia, on set sound recordist, and he was so kind to me. he answered my questions and did not make me feel like a $50 per day extra. Also camera ops, grip, etc...all were very kind to me - made me want that kind of "family" vibe - not like acting where everything at that time was very cut-throat competitive. Joe is still a friend of mine today 30 years later on Facebook and is a main reason I got out from in front of the camera and into Post.

I may not be a “director”but I believe this pledge that I learned in 4-H from when I was young is what “I pledge my head to clear of thinking, my heart to clear of loyalty, my hands to largest services. My health to better living, for my club, my community, my country, and my world.” 1. Head 2. Heart 3. Hands 4. Health That’s the ingredients I would fuse together to make a special sauce as a director. Because each of the four ingredients from each leaf make up the 4-H clover and all fused together make the main slogan: Leadership Loyalty Respect Helpfulness Kindness. These traits are the quality things I believe a director needs to survive and make a great impact as a leader.

That is so inspiring, Joey Morelli! And I do feel like that is why so many people stay in the business, long after the magic has faded - because the feeling of family hasn't!

I love that, Nash Sigmon what a great sentiment! Thank you for sharing!

Great words! I want people to have fun on my set. No matter how hard or stressful the job gets we are all creators at heart trying to put everything we have into our art. I want everyone to have fun and feel like they matter no matter how big or small the role!

I'm exceptionally well-prepared, and at the same time I empower and rely on the craft of those around me. My movies are built to create opportunities for my team, and not to get one person's creative "vision" out of them. Actors are given lines of action and rehearsals, instead of line readings. My DP gets a blocking chart, and not a storyboard to ape when it comes to framing. My job is to empower others to make the best film they are capable of making, and if I can't trust their creative judgment then I've hired the wrong person.

I’m not sure I have a special sauce but...

I always have a vision and I get the people I work with in a way most of society cannot because of preconceived ideas and no experience with the type of people I work with. I can adjust my vision for the actors and crew but still achieve the wanted results. I never ask actors to do something I’m unwilling to do myself and we have a bit of fun with it. I communicate clearly with set crew and post production helping and sharing a joke when time permits.

If any of this is my “special sauce” then I geuss I do have one. It’s an interesting thought though I never have thought much about it. I think the most important thing is trust and feeling your in a safe environment both physically and emotionally.

I'm very new as a director. But on my previous short, one of my actors told me that they felt free to play around and try things, even if they didn't work. They always felt like they had input in shaping the character. That felt pretty damn good.

If there's one thing I'd like to be known for it would be for cultivating an atmosphere where people feel comfortable with failure, and encouragement to move on from it.

I am not a director but as a newbie allow me to add what I would need to work with a head of creatives. First of all, I agree with Vince and I like that he wants everyone to have fun and that everyone should matter even if you play a small role. Now, getting to my point, I want to say that I want people to be curious about me and the ways I am doing things. If people don't understand why I am doing something different, I would want them to ask " Hmmm, okay... why are you doing it this way? Help me get a feel for your thought process.", for example, instead of judging me or dismissing me completely. I would want to feel welcome and respected. Let me know that I can make a change and am useful in the process. I can take direction, but I believe if people are transparent with their thinking patterns and what they are really after, I can be even better at bringing something to the table to moves everyone forward- this only hypothetically.

I too am relatively new as a director. I think for me it is my ability to be open. Though I have my own vision I also realize that seeing through another's eyes can widen my own vision. The ability to creatively fluid has helped me more times than I can count.

I don’t know what it’s like now but over 10 years ago a a long time industry director and friend told me as an actor on screen or stage the best thing I can do is what the director says.

He said until actors are known and liked with a lot of experience and are really wanted they should do the part as directed. If you have an idea (or a problem) talk to the director before acting on it but don’t necessarily expect them to listen every time.

I would like to think I would hear the actor out and take the time to explain why my answer is no if I said no. I hope I would make them feel heard and that their ideas are valued.

OK