Collaboration - for better or worse...

Filmmaking is a collaborative medium. When a film gets distributed and makes money it becomes a movie. And a movie is part of show business. People tend to think of the filmmaking side but forget the show business part. Most people want to pursue the art without the business.

When you make a film, you have to realize that everyone working on the film is an artist. Everyone knows that the writer and actors are creative artists, not everyone thinks of gaffers or the boom operators are artists, as-well. Every artist is protective of their art. People are willing to buttheads and fight for their ideas - their art.

The director has to walk the show business line. In the world of television, generally the showrunner is a writer and usually the creator, he (or she) is the one that controls the direction of the show (along as the people paying the bills allow it). In the world of films, the director is the one that has the responsibility to provide the direction - the overall vision of the film. The director has to motivate all of the artists to do their best, while getting what he needs/wants for his (or her) vision. The director must also deal with the money men- whether producers, investors or studios.

Some great movies can be made when everyone is empowered and gives their best to the collaboration. However, some films fall apart from the poor act of collaboration.

Can you sell everyone on your vision? Can you work towards a compromise of ideas without a compromise of standards?

What do you want your filmmaking experience to be like?

Don.