As the filmmaker, your focus is creating a magical work of art, but it takes a village to produce a movie. Numerous people on the set work long hours to ensure everything runs smoothly.
So how do you manage all the various personalities on set and keep everyone happy?
1. Stay Positive
As the filmmaker, you’re the leader of the crew. Everyone looks to you for guidance on the show’s production. You make the decisions for the casting, production crew, writing, directing and more.
Therefore, they’ll also look to you as an influence on the set. How you act will rub off on everyone else, so staying calm and positive is critical. Even if things look bleak, keep looking on the bright side and find reasons to smile.
Film sets are fast-paced and things can get hectic quickly. Every few minutes, someone may approach you and ask you to fix a problem. Though it seems like a nuisance, it comes with the territory of being the leader.
Research shows positive work environments lead to higher productivity. Boost the film set’s morale by implementing positive psychological concepts like inspiration, leadership and solid relationships.
2. Build Relationships
Your film set could have as few as five people or as many as 100. Building relationships with as many people as possible is crucial, regardless of size. Remember that leadership should be a strength of yours in addition to filmmaking.
Get to know your cast and crew and show genuine interest in their lives. Is one of your actors getting married soon? Does a crew member have a sick relative? Ask about their personal lives to show you care.
Building relationships on set is essential, but you can also get to know your cast and crew outside the workplace. For example, take the team to the bar for a pint after a long week of filming. Getting to know your colleagues in a relaxed setting is an excellent way to bond and build trust amongst each other.
3. Get Promotional Gear
Small things go a long way in the film industry and other businesses — for example, the clothing you wear on set. As the filmmaker, your attire sets the tone for the rest of the cast and crew.
A smart style to strive for is promotional gear, which may entail shirts, hats, jackets and more. Put your production company’s or film’s name on the items and give them to your cast and crew. Wearing promotional clothing provides pride and identity when filming.
Also, it’s hard to forego free stuff because people love it. Research shows 56% of people saw their business more positively after they received free gear. If you’re ordering for an entire crew, it’s wise to get about 25% more than you think you need to account for new hires. Promotional gear extends outside clothing. You can get umbrellas, coffee mugs, pens and tote bags.
4. Provide Free Food
Free stuff is a terrific morale booster, especially when you can eat it. Nutrition is crucial to productivity in any workplace. Filming can take 12 to 16-hour days, depending on your schedule. During the day, the entire crew will need food to snack on.
Eating helps everyone focus and be their best throughout the day. The last thing you need is an accident or injury on set stemming from a lack of energy.
Provide healthy and delicious snacks to keep energy levels high. These foods may include fruit trays, nuts, pastries, granola bars, cookies and nutritious dips like hummus. Also, don’t forget to keep the coffee brewing. Studies show taking breaks for meals increases productivity instead of trying to push the work all day. Nearly 80% of workers say taking a lunch break improves their job performance during the day.
5. Foster a Productive Atmosphere
After a few days on set, you’ll have a gauge of what makes your cast and crew tick. Do they perform well in a fast-paced, demanding atmosphere? Or do they function better in a more lighthearted setting? You can have the best of both worlds by working hard yet having fun with your crew.For example, in a 14-hour day, you won’t spend every minute filming scenes. There’s bound to be some downtime, so set up stuff for your workers to do when they aren’t busy. For example, they could play video games, throw a football, play cards or hang out at the beach if there’s one nearby. Even on a tight schedule, preventing burnout is critical by letting your cast and crew have fun.
6. Listen to Cast and Crew
As the filmmaker, you’re the brains of the machine. You decide what happens with the movie — if any changes are necessary, they go through you. But keeping an open mind with the cast and crew is essential. If someone has a suggestion for improving the film, listen to them and consider implementing them.
Ask the rest of the cast to see what they think. You must be firm and decisive on set, but it’s not a one-person show. Let the crew play to their strengths and see what they can come up with.
Keeping Everyone Happy on Set
Producing a film isn’t easy, but the end product makes it all worth it. It can take one to three months filled with 12-hour days or longer. During this time, you’ll need to manage your cast and crew in addition to the film.
Use these six strategies to keep morale high and reduce burnout on set.
