Feeling like a dictator when directing

[Neatpuppy]

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

Sorry, Matt but I slightly disagree.. In my opinion, the worst case circumstance in this world is not when you have lied, cheated and robbed the people around you blind. However, it's when the people around you all "think" that you are lying, cheating and robbing them blind.. No way in hell you can ever explain clearly your intentions, even if you had wanted to help these people around you to begin with..

Btw, Sonickel, if you have already find yourself in the above situation. My advice is "Don't persist!!" You don't need to convince anyone that you aren't bankrupt artistically or morally. Walk away. BE NICE! Walk away..

Good luck!!

[mattias]

However, it's when the people around you all "think" that you are lying, cheating and robbing them blind

that's why should lie so well they'll never find out. you really *have to* do it all the time or you won't be able to make film. there's no way in hell it will help to say "i have no idea how to get this shot" instead of saying "let's take short break and then move on to the next shot" or "i want to try a few different ways of shooting this". you have to behave like you're in control or people will get confused and stop trusting you more than if they think you're a liar. i'm obviously not encouraging anyone to say "i know exactly how to shoot this" if you don't, but i left that for your creative minds to figure out for yourselves.

/matt

[jean]

It is a very collaborative job - and the actors NEED to be sure and comfortable about everything going well, or they will not be able to give their best. Crew and actors rely on you, and depend on you. It's your movie, if you don't know - who does? If they feel that you are lost, the entire project may be lost in that moment, since everything will be in question after this moment. Imagine a ship with large crew. Everybody does it's job, relying on the captain to bring them safe to the destination. Imagine the captain discussing every move, after the crew lost confidence - why this speed, why not another direction, why not stop here.. and no one would do his best, because he feels that the decision was random, and could be called back any moment, and in the end would not matter at all.

In my acting gig I really needed everything being under control, and the weakest moments were when we had to wait for hours for a different camera. Suddenly I felt that certain things were random, and not under control at all 8O

But bossing the crew in order to camouflage weakness and insecurity will make things worse, do not try this. Best is: be prepared. Be very prepared. Plan carefully, count on things breaking down. In other words: do your best as a producer/director, your crew will feel that, and reward you with giving their best.

[Neatpuppy]

bossing the crew in order to camouflage weakness and insecurity will make things worse, do not try this. Best is: be prepared. Be very prepared.

Mattias, you have a very valid point and I absolutely agree, sometimes a deceptive rhetoric can be an extrmely powerful aid. However, Jean's passage here pretty much said everything I wanted to say (with style.) I think it's a very delicate balance and you are both right in a way. It's very difficult to maintain that balance... [/quote]

[soundboy]

It can be fun playing dictator but there is a fine line between dictator and assholle.