Working Relationships

3.1     Explain the importance of teamwork when working on a film production

What are the different teams in your production?

In my film group, we had different teams, who all played their part in the production of the film. We had a director, cinematographer, editer, script writer, producer and actors, so in total seven teams that all consisted of one person.

How do they work together? For example, how did your team work together to prepare for the shoot? Also, during production and post-production?

My team all worked together from the very beggining, when coming up with the plot, to shoot day planning, and then the actual day of filming and then to the very last stage of editing, where the director and editor worked on the film, while the cinematographer and script writer helped out, by dong the end titles.

Why is it important that production teams work well together?

This is important, as you need to be able to work in a safe working environment, with members who can cooperate with each other and problem solve effectively when needed. Also these individuals, must not be afraid to let their opinions and ideas be shown, as film making after all, is a collaborative art form.

Give an example of when your production team/s worked well together.

My production team, especially worked well on shoot day. this day was an ultimately tough one, as there were some issues with timing, but it forced us to work well together in order to get the film completed in time. Another way that we worked well together, was by our team members taking u extra roles, for example the editor, on shoot day, was the sound guy and helped out with the camera equipment, also the script writer, acted the main character during filming.

What can happen if there isn’t good teamwork?

Arguments or disagreements of decisions made within the group, and even planning, time management, and keeping track of equipment could all go wrong, if your team isn’t strong.

Was there an example of when teamwork could have been better on your film production? How did this affect the production process?

The only time that i think the team could have been any more efficient, would have been when we changed locations and re-set up all the equipment, that we could have continued on with filming straight away and not wasted time chatting.

3.2       Identify the qualities needed to work well with others

What are the most important qualities for working well as part of a film production team?

I’d say the most important things, apart from what is listed below, would be listening to all group members and making sure that everyone is aware of what is going on, and the next stage.

How did you show the following, give examples:

Good timekeeping- with a shot list, in the correct order of what we were planning on doing

Being reliable- By everyone turning up on time, and being there in case they were needed for helping out with carrying equipment, giving ideas…

Sharing ideas- through brainstorms in the first few sessions, for the plot of our short film, ‘The Most Beautiful Thing In The World’.

Good communication- by sharing ideas, and any issues that we had from an early stage, therefore creating a strong bond within our group.

Safe working- Thanks to our Producer, who filled out a risk assessment form, and by us using our common sense and initiative to be careful, when using expensive equipment.

3.3       Describe how you worked with others collaboratively on your film production

How did you work with others in the crew?

Through teamwork, and putting our brains together to come up with a unique idea for our film, by using the subject of lucid dreaming, which had been experienced by some members of the group.

Give an example of when you worked well with your team.

We all contributed during brainstorming sessions to come up with our theme of lucid dreams, and a fake reality. However the main way that we did this, was on Shoot day when we had to find new locations, rearange our plan and continue moving around all of the expensive equipment from location, to location in a safe and secure way, to ensure that nothing could be damaged.

Were there any problems you needed to overcome? Give examples

When we could not follow our plan in order to what we were prepared to do, due to the locations that we needed to use not being available at the correct times, and so we had to do some in the wrong order, and even find a new location at the very last minute.

How could you improve your ability to work with others?

I honestly believe that me and the group worked at our very best throughout this entire experience and the only point that i believe could have been improved, would have been that we plan sooner than we did, in making a story board, and perhaps gone deeper into the background and motives of the characters. And that we would have kept notes taken from the very beginning of the brainstorming process, as we lost some great ideas.