Always put them first and look out for them. Your first job will always be to make sure the crew is taken care of because without them clients or networks or benefactors will never get the product they need. Be a champion for your crew's meals, breaks, home life and more and they will be sure to work hard for you too.
It all comes down to communication. From having the team meet up in pre-production and get to know everyone through to holding daily morning meetings where you go through the schedule, address any issues/concerns, provide updates or any feedback and just generally make sure everyone knows what is going on. Then ensuring no matter how busy the day is you keep the communication levels high both within each department and cross department. This just makes for a team who feel in control and therefore will respect you as a leader no matter what happens on set.
A film shoot can be an incredibly stressful environment, however, both cast & crew are there to have an enjoyable experience. Keeping spirits up leads to a nicer working environment and better results from all involved. Personally, I try to create this atmosphere from the very start, and it really doesn't take much. I will always ask for a full briefing session before we shoot, and at this, I ensure everyone involved has a hot drink (if they want one). It's a small consideration that pays dividends. While the content of the briefing session is serious, I always end by assigning someone to take charge of on-set music, and encourage all cast & crew to request their guilty pleasures. It's always a fun ice-breaker and sets the tone of the rest of the day.
In our video agency, where we work with remote actors and actresses from all around the world, building rapport with the team is both crucial and challenging. To foster a strong connection, I record high-energy videos specifically designed to engage and connect with our team. Given that we work with hundreds of creators, it’s impossible to form one-on-one relationships with everyone. However, by sending out these videos to the entire team, I’m able to build a parasocial relationship that helps bridge the distance. These videos allow me to convey my enthusiasm, share updates, and reinforce our shared goals, all while ensuring that everyone feels part of the bigger picture. Even though we may not interact individually, the team gets to know me through these videos, which helps create a sense of familiarity and trust. This approach has proven to be incredibly effective in keeping morale high and maintaining a cohesive team dynamic, even in a remote work environment.
I always meet with our crew before a shoot to tell them that I want to hear any of their ideas during the day. Obviously, there are times during shooting when I can’t do that but I always make time to hear them out when I get a break. Historically some of the best ideas on our shoots have come from our crew members. The process of directing a shoot is difficult when there is a lot going on and there are times when I’ll miss things that other crew members have noticed. I empower my crews to make me aware of issues that will jeopardize the overall production downstream. By doing this it gives the crew a sense of ownership in the project and that always makes them do their best work for our clients.
Pre-production meetings with your technical teams and talent are mandatory. These are before technical run throughs or rehearsals, before you ever step foot on the set. Meeting ahead of time helps everyone get on the same page. They feel comfortable with the equipment and technology. They understand what's expected of them and know the plan of action. It also gives everyone time to share any ideas, and also see who to expect on site. When call time arrives, everyone is comfortable, confident and hopefully ready to expertly deal with any surprises. By setting the team up for success, you build confidence and respect as a producer.
As a producer and director, I've found that providing an assortment of mess-free snacks on set is a must-have. Keeping everyone well-fed throughout long shooting days makes a significant difference in their mood and performance. I also make sure to keep salty, sweet and drinks to fulfill all cravings in check. This approach shows that I value their well-being and understand the physical demands of filmmaking. It creates a positive atmosphere and helps prevent "hanger" – that irritability that comes from an empty stomach – which can negatively impact the work and on-set relationships. A satisfied team is a harmonious and productive one.
Filmmakers can strengthen rapport with their cast and crew by organizing regular team-building activities outside of the production environment. Activities like workshops and casual gatherings promote collaboration and trust, breaking down hierarchical barriers and allowing personal connections to flourish. This inclusive approach ensures that every team member feels valued, leading to a more cohesive and effective working atmosphere on set.
The use of AI programs has made a significant impact on the amount of time it takes to create assets. Using AI to help curate and create digital assets has been an absolute game changer. Not just does it cut the amount of time one would normally spend in creating custom assets to be used in a video production, but it has allowed my imagination to reach unbelievable heights. There is no longer any limit on what I can create and thereby use in my videos. For me, the use of AI does not take away anything from my creative process. Instead, it gives me the freedom to use my creativity without so many normal restrictions, such as: burden of knowing every technical skill and the time expense of tedious and detailed asset creation.