Feeling like a dictator when directing

[sonickel]

Hello everyone

My question this time isn't technical, but more artistic/interpersonal.
When starting out in filmmaking, often you don't know anyone else interested/skilled in any area of films. So you train yourself up over a year or so, to fulfil the roles of writer, director, editor, producer, maybe even acting too.

But when involving friends, I find I am feeling like a fascist, telling them what to do all the time. My "vision" (such as it is) is so strong, and they are so apathetic, that I have to take the lead.... which isn't natural for me at all.

How do you avoid being a dictator in these circumstances?
sonickel

[mattias]

you talk about all of this before, how you will work and how you expect them to work with you. this way you've already worried about all this in a less stressful environment.

/matt

[MovieStuff]

I agree with Mattias 100%.

Also, you should realize that they NEED a strong leader that appears to know what he is doing and is quick with decisions. I would much rather work with a director that is a total dickhead but gets on with the project than an artsy-fartsy indecisive whimp that can't decide what to do from minute to minute.

It is understandable that you don't want to make people uncomfortable but being decisive isn't the same thing as being domineering. People will feel like they've been part of something important at the end of the day if you handle them with respect and appear to know what you are doing in a crisp, organized fashion. However, being weak and wishy-washy as a director will make people feel like they are wasting their time, even if they are only on the set for 15 minutes.

Roger
http://www.moviestuff.tv

[Neatpuppy]

I am learning myself but here's my advice if you are already stuck in the middle of the shoot. Sorry if the following sounds brutal.

BE HONEST. BE RESPONSIBLE. TAKE CARE AND BE READY TO DIE FOR THESE PEOPLE WHO ARE HELPING YOU. (Repeat the above 3 times and memorize it!!) Now, don't forget that cake and THANK YOU notes after the film wraps.

Basically, I dislike Hollywood and its Industrial 100+ crew environment. In my opinion, our films and so-called visions don't worth shi$ if we must rely on a similiar militant heirarchal process in order to achieve it. Further, it is not worth it at all if ANYONE gets hurt or used in the process. If you are not confident that you can be responsible to everyone related to your film. Then STOP, REST FOR A WHILE, RE-STRUCTURE, RE-GROUP, THINK!!!

Good luck. 8)

[Freya]

Yeah, you don't have to shout at them or be mean, just say "hey guys we need to do this now" and you can also make it so that it is fun for the people, like lots of nice goodies to eat and stuff, so it's fun to come around and eat the pizza and hang out. Catering is a really important part of filmmaking.

I guess if they aren't very interested you could try to find people who are interested but another alternative is through the magic of catering. Yes catering is your secret weapon in filmmaking. You have heard the phrase "You are what you eat" well, with catering you can control what your cast and crew eat!

Of course what you feed them depends on what kind of film you are trying to make. If you want a super tense but animated type of thriller, maybe a film noir, make sure people get plenty of coffee. Expresso, and choclate coated coffee beans. Maybe even some expresso ice cream for desert. Make sure there is an alternative for those who don't like coffee tho. Coca-Cola perhaps?

Tartazine based products are supposed to be good for getting your people active and aimated, although apparently the results can very from individual to individual. I have not tried this myself however but some people swear by it.

There are many alternatives and it really depends on the kind of films you are making, which you don't mention, however, if your cast and crew are really that completely unmotivated, I suggesst you make sure that BOTH sets of Kool Aid are electric and soon they will be all going wild for your film.

Catering is not only the secret to succesful directing but succesful filmmaking in general.

Good luck with your project!

love

Freya

[ninjamoon]

i never work with my girlfriend. she laughs all the time
ninja

[MovieStuff]

And, finally, NEVER address the group as "People.". There is nothing more aggrivating or humiliating to the cast and crew than to hear some self-important condescending voice yell out, "Okay, people.....". It is impersonal and offensive. They're your friends so you should just talk to them like you normally would, "Hey, everybody..."

Roger

[Neatpuppy]

However, being weak and wishy-washy as a director will make people feel like they are wasting their time, even if they are only on the set for 15 minutes.

I second Mattias and Roger too. However, here's a counter-point to the dickhead "I know what I am doing" director argument.

I once worked with such a fascist director/cinematographer who won the Sundance experimental award. Well, this guy said something of the following effect. "If you really want to make films, you don't talk about it or wait on it.. You shoot with whatever you have at hand and if the funding runs out, you stop (to find more funding) and so on and so forth.." Well, while I do appreciate his somewhat sincere advice for the youth. I must also add 2 things: A.) He is an ass. B.) He has no wife and kids. (Probably both inter-related but you get my point.)

There is nothing more selfish and dangerous than a vain director that doesn't give 2 cents damn if his family starves or people pop-up "dead" because of his film!! Film projects can flop because as long as you are still alive, you can always instigate another production. However, I must stress again, it is not worth it if a single person gets hurt or burned during the process of the film.. (Sorry if this sounds a little like ranting.. It's 6AM west coast..)) Try and keep the film crew as compact as possible? (Goes back to Mattias' point..hmm..)

[Freya]

And, finally, NEVER address the group as "People.". There is nothing more aggrivating or humiliating to the cast and crew than to hear some self-important condescending voice yell out, "Okay, people.....". It is impersonal and offensive. They're your friends so you should just talk to them like you normally would, "Hey, everybody..."

Roger

People??? Surely you only say that if you are the queen?
How strange!

I kind of like it tho! I think I will address my crew as "glorious subjects" from now on!

love

Freya

[Astro]

I was D.O.P to a shithead of a Director that would not listen to any tech advice in the pro's & con's of shooting with limited equipment. He wanted the zoom lens on the hired Arri to focus down to 5 inches when it was clearly marked at 5ft on the lens. Did he listen...No he said it looked in focus through the viewer....DOH!.....I left the set with him attempting to shoot his blurred photography. That's just my mini crap story.
Now I Direct....I know what I want. I make people relaxed around me...and I make sure no one is getting too streesed. On a more bizarre note, I have found Actors/Actrresses quite willing to strip bare if you put them at ease...aarh! those were great college days.
Astro

[Freya]

Now I Direct....I know what I want. I make people relaxed around me...and I make sure no one is getting too streesed. On a more bizarre note, I have found Actors/Actrresses quite willing to strip bare if you put them at ease...aarh! those were great college days.
Astro

???????

Wow I suspect it will be hard enough to find actors to appear in anything I do let alone to strip naked!

Did you want them to strip naked?

Do your films make extensive use of 5k lighting heads by any chance???? ;)

Mostly when I talk about films I want to make, people say things like "no Freya, that's too wierd, it could only be a comedy" etc.

Maybe I need to feed them *before* I discuss my ideas!

love

Freya

[simong]

I havent directed myself yet but have been in charge of comedy events music etc. From working on shoots I reckon a basis on which everyone knows the score from the beggining is the key, and save that then some time out and give a friendly peptalk, but stress the need for dedication.

I dont think your an arsehole if you expect dedication. And i dont mean that all life stops except for the film, I mean a serious attitude to what ends up on the screen.

dismissivness is always really annoying as well, if you don't have time to talk to a member of the crew, explain with patience rather than snap and if they dont understand after that then they're arseholes themselves.

Talking of catering, I used to work in a few posh kitchens, where the chefs were most definateley not wishy washy....however some of them, despite the fact they would bark orders during serving hours had taken me aside either before, or if i showed distress and explained about the controlled panic that goes on in a kitchen situation, as soon as the last orders are out, everything is forgotten. (some of them were pure tosspieces though , dont get me wrong)

In terms of pressure and time contstraints i reckon film makers can relate to that!

[Cutty201]

Ya know my problem is we get a crew together to do a movie and once pre-production is all squared away and it comes tme to do crap everyone opts out. "Like oh well I work now...and I didn't htink I'd have to go to meetings ..." then ya have to go out and find ppl to put this production in plcae... what a mess ! I have dubbed myself the executive producer of the film as I am the one (not only whois the main character) but keeping my brrther from being that fascist director and keeping all the actors happy and not like "Oh this is tough...do i have to do this" and making all the phone calls to people. Heh my advice get a crazy executive producer who is willing to put as much into the film as you!

[mattias]

BE HONEST

i agree with everything you say, but i must make a small comment over this one. if being honest would expose that you don't know what you're doing, which you won't at some point, don't be honest. tell everyone you're in full control, smile, and deal with the problem yourself or with the head of the department involved.

/matt

[mattias]

everyone opts out

that's a common problem. all you can do is never hire them again when you're established. i have quite a few friends calling me now asking to be on my productions who i'll never hire because of the way they've acted on productions i've been involved with in the past, even though i still like to hang out with them socially. it's sad for them, but it's how it works. and for those of you who want to crew your ways up: work hard and it will pay off. always.

/matt