Let’s Collaborate!!!
In film everything may seem like a competition. Who can get the best film, who can have a better premiere turn out, who has the best crew or who has the best quality. When in reality we are all in the same market with a vision of getting to the next level. So in the Guide we are gonna talk about collaboration as a whole and touch on the pros/cons.
Importance of Collaboration
After several years of me having to shoot films by myself I came to the realization that i can’t be a one man crew and think everything through completely. You have 5 departments of film (producing, directing, camera, sound, lighting) if you are focused on all five at one time believe me several of those departments will lack. You are so busy trying to make sure the camera angle is good you forget to direct your actors. You’re setting up lights not realizing your boom pole isn’t positioned right. So collaborating with other film makers to me is important because film is a collaborative process and I believe without it your film will lack in several aspects.
Pros
Now that you have came to your senses with knowing you need other creatives to get your film done . Let’s talk about the pros of collaborating
- The upside of collaborating is you have a person you trust who can handle a certain section of your production and now you can focus more on your task.
- Having the ability to assign people to a section of crew where they can practice to perfect their role. Such as (sound, camera operating, directing, editing or producing)
- Your workflow will increase & set up times will decrease. You will have more time to work rather then wasting time setting up.
- Will have continuous creative ideas bouncing around. Your script may be set in stone for you but with the other creative minds they can provide an insight on what can make your story even better.
- Collaborating in film leads to potential future projects from the collaborative group. So the group will continue to be working on content and learning more and more from each other along the way.
Cons
We all know that working with people is sometimes the hardest thing to do. I’m writing these cons so you can be aware of what can happen when collaborating
- Talk Money or potential to make money first. The worst way. to break up a collaborative partnership is over money. When you are first starting the partnership make sure you notify all parties “hey yes I will be paying you” or “we gonna do this project and make some money from it.” If you promise your partners money follow through accordingly.
- Wasting Time. In my five years I have been on several sets, helped start a few film companies and been apart of a few partnerships but it’s nothing like feeling as if you wasted your time. In your life time is precious and I like to see what my partners plans are before I truly commit. Are we doing YouTube films or Festival Films? Are we doing clout films or making money films?.
- Not Finishing what you start. When you start a project with your crew please make sure you can get the project done. One problem with this is people will make sacrifices to help you and if you just cancel a project that opens room for disagreements.
- Sense of Entitlement. What I realize today in film that nobody wants to take the back seat they always want to be in the forefront. In film yes the audience may worship a certain cast or crew member but remember that film is a team effort. Some people can’t live with that feeling so that make things more complicated. A successful team for me is where everyone feels equal and that we are working hard to get a good product no matter who gets the recognition.
- NOT COMMITTED . BAD COMMUNICATION
In Conclusion..
I truly believe having a team while making films is a big asset to your career. If you already have a team under your belt you are definitely on the right track. I suggest team building outings and activities to keep the chemistry high.
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My pros/cons may not relate to everyone but these are things I’ve encountered while being in the film business. Everything I wrote in this post is an opinion and is written from experience . Whether you have a team or not NEVER STOP CREATING.
-Sam Anthony ,Samali Art
