Teamwork makes the Dreamwork!

Filmmaking requires teamwork to be truly successful. No one man can take on the entire workload alone. It takes a team of specialists all working hand-in-hand to create masterpieces as we see in the movie theatres today! Most of the time we see the Director’s name on the screen and give them the credit. Yet, we all know how long the credits can be. As a student who is working in production, I have learned firsthand that you need support from your team. I also work my own side gigs outside of school and I struggle trying to do audio, video, and editing on my own. Don’t get me wrong. It can be done. Although, it takes much longer than if you had a reliable team working by your side. Why not be open-minded and create a comfortable environment that all types of people can thrive in? 

What makes great teamwork happen?

Everyone has a sense of pride in their artwork and concepts. The goal is to not let your ego get in the way of your team’s ideas! The first step is to be humble and allow everyone a chance to be heard. Communication is key! Competition is not always bad but if you let it get the best of you it can ruin the whole process. Balancing out your emotions and allowing every person on your team the opportunity to express their creativity will save you many hours of stress.

Accepting criticism is another important factor in the process. You may think your idea is the best idea. Moreover, that is not always the case. You must acquire the ability to put yourself in other’s shoes. This helps to see from many different perspectives in order to truly reach success in this career. Don’t be a know-it-all. No one wants to deal with a stubborn personality. Don’t argue, debate. Brainstorm as a team and cooperate as a team. Everyone’s heard of the saying “Lead by example”. It is easy to shout orders but being a leader requires you to step up and do the work. This way, your team will respect you. Morale is everything when working with a team! Check out the link below from Forbes for more tips on how to be a team player!

15 Top Tips to Become a Team Player

Most Importantly, the only thing you should stress is teamwork!

Deadlines and due dates can be overwhelming. This tension can be felt by all members of your crew. If it seems like your crew needs a break, give them one. You don’t want to abuse your team. Balance is important! An example of a toxic environment that caused crew members to lose weight from stress is the uproar about the movie Mad Max Fury Road and what happened on set. The actors were being overworked. The director had trouble communicating. It was a circus. Although the movie did gross 375.4 million in the box office, it was such a stressful setting that some actors came out to the media about it. To read more about this incident, click the link below: 

Tom Hardy and Charlize Theron Open Up About Fighting on ‘Mad Max: Fury Road’ Set

Be professional but have fun doing it!

Take the time to make your team feel comfortable with each other. Team building exercises could be a great solution if you have a few personalities that collide on set. I used to dislike it when my professor did ice breakers in class. Now, I am grateful they did because it helped me interact and contribute more when I connected with my classmates. This can be a great idea for jobs as well. A team that flows well together will make magic. That magic will make money. It’s a win-win. In the real world, people come with a variety of personalities. Make note of each team member’s strengths and weaknesses. Then, pair them with the other’s opposite strengths. This will make your team indestructible!

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