You, the director, may be focused on making a masterpiece, but it truly does take a community to make a film. There are a lot of people on set, and they all put in long hours to make sure everything goes well. How can you keep everyone satisfied, given the wide range of personalities present?
Maintain an Upbeat Attitude
The director of photography is the head of the production team. Everyone is looking to you for direction as the show is being put together. You get to choose who joins the cast, who works behind the scenes, who writes and directs, and more.
As a result, they will consider you a leader on the set. Everyone around you will mirror your attitude and demeanour. If things seem hopeless, remind yourself to keep looking up.
Things move swiftly on a film shoot and can become chaotic very quickly. You can expect to be approached by someone with an issue every few minutes. Even if it’s an annoyance, it’s part of being in a position of authority.
Studies have shown that happier employees provide better results in the workplace. Implementing positive psychological notions like inspiration, leadership, and strong relationships can help boost morale on the film set.
Establish Communication
The crew of your movie could number anywhere from five to one hundred. No matter how big you are, you must connect with as many individuals as possible. Keep in mind that you should also excel as a leader, not just a filmmaker.
Learn about the people who will be portraying your actors and crew members. Is one of your players planning to tie the knot? Is someone in the crew dealing with an illness? As a gesture of concern, ask about their off-work activities.
Although getting to know your cast and crew members on the job is important, you may also spend time with them outside of production. Take the cast and crew out for a drink after a long day of filming, for instance. An informal setting is perfect for getting to know coworkers and laying the groundwork for trust and friendship.
Obtain Marketing Materials
The clothes you wear on set, for example, can have a significant impact on the film industry and beyond. As the director, your choice of wardrobe will influence the look and feel of the entire production.
The use of promotional clothing, such as tees, caps, and jackets, is a smart fashion choice. Brand the products with the name of the film or production company and hand them out to the actors and crew. When filming, it helps to have a sense of pride and individuality when wearing promotional apparel.
People find it difficult to pass up freebies since they’re so appealing. After receiving free equipment, 56% of customers had a more favourable impression of the company. When placing an order for a group of workers, it’s smart to purchase around 25 percent more than you anticipate using so that you have room for expansion. The scope of promo items goes much beyond apparel. Umbrellas, mugs, pens, and tote bags are all available.
Free Food Distribution
Getting something for nothing, especially if it’s edible, is a great way to raise morale. Good nutrition is a key factor in maintaining efficiency at work. Depending on the schedule, a day of filming can last anywhere from 12 hours to 16 hours. Everyone on board needs access to nutritious meals and snacks throughout the day.
People are more productive and able to maintain their concentration after eating. The last thing you need is for someone to pass out or be hurt on set because they are tired.
Give people tasty and nutritious snacks to eat in between meals. Fruit platters, nuts, pastries, granola bars, cookies, and healthy spreads like hummus may be included. The coffee should be kept brewing, too. Breaking for meals, rather than trying to power through, has been shown to enhance productivity. Almost eighty percent of workers claim they are more productive after taking a lunch break.
Promote a Productive Environment
You’ll get a sense of the cast and crew dynamics after just a few days on set. How do they fare in a high-pressure setting? Or do they thrive in a more playful atmosphere? Working hard while also enjoying time with your team is ideal. You won’t, for instance, spend the entire 14 hours filming scenes. Plan for your employees’ downtime by providing them with activities. They may go to the beach, play video games, throw a football, play cards, or just hang around. Keeping the cast and crew from getting burned out is essential, even when time is tight.
Don’t Lose Your Cool (and Say Sorry if You Do)
Craig Johnson had an emotional breakdown on set while filming his debut feature, True Adolescents. After the first thrill wore off, regret set in. They see you losing it and they think, “Oh God, is this whole thing falling apart?” Is this ship going down with me? And it’s awful for morale overall.”
Craig tracked out everyone who had seen his tantrum and apologised to them individually. Now he just takes a deep breath, leaves the set, and deals with his emotions in private whenever tensions mount. It’s normal to feel overworked, exhausted and irritated. If you let your staff in on your negative feelings, they will spread like wildfire.
Take in the Cast and Crew
You are the mastermind behind the camera. What happens in the film is up to you, and any alterations must be approved by you. However, it’s crucial to retain an open mind about the staff and cast. You should take criticism of the film seriously and think about how to incorporate it into the final product.
Find out what the other actors think by polling them. You need to be authoritative and decisive on set, but remember that this is a team effort. You never know what will happen when you let the crew focus on what they do best.
Keeping the Set Positive
Making a movie isn’t simple, but the final product is well worth the effort. One to three months of working 12-hour days or more is possible. During this period, you’ll also be responsible for overseeing the film’s cast and staff.
A Full Crew is A Happy Crew
The discussion about food may continue forever. To be honest, we already have. Skimping on craftsmanship is one of the worst things you can do in a low-budget picture. The best way to the hearts of your grips, gaffer, and PAs is through their stomachs, especially when you consider how many calories they burn working on set.
It’s simple to impress your staff with delicious homemade meals and unexpected treats. There is something special about a cup of excellent coffee at 3 p.m., timely delivery of grilled cheese squares, or individual PB&J sandwiches. It was very cold when we were filming, so having a lot of hot soup on hand was a tremendous help. Here are eight methods for boosting energy and preventing fatigue on set.
