What Does It Mean To Lead Well?

Thank you for that.
Katie O'Grady

All the best on your shoot. I hope...you have fun, too. :))

I liken filmmaking to having a child in a way, half the time the things you are proud of aren't enough and the things you hadn't given much mind to, make the piece. It's an extraordinary path in the unpredictable for me. Of course I b-ch & moan that I want more control of this or that, but honestly the fact that never happens keeps me in the game. I like challenge, as much as I wanna hide that fact....I do. So I listen and watch in high gear, kicking it higher every time, and I still don't know if I'm any good. But I keep trying, getting more organized, opening up my ears more, finding different ways to collaborate or draw the line--re-direct. To me that's good leadership, someone who listens yet is trying to reach mastery, via what they learned and their skill.

I wish I will be able to make movies some day and after reading post like that I feel like we are on the right track.

Thanks

Nice article, and the same exact way I like to work with my crew.

Hi Ted,

I realize that this comment is somewhat off topic. But since the discussion is about leading, and you've been a leader in providing information to the indy world, I thought I could justify my post/question.

I used the American Jobs Creation Act of 2004 as part of my business plan for The Last Lullaby, i.e. investors being able to write off a film investment 100% in the first year against passive income. This Act was due to terminate at the end of the year. Do you know if it's been extended? It's potentially an important piece of legislation for independent film in this country, and there seems to be a shortage of discussion around this impending deadline.

Thanks so much, Ted.

All the best,

Jeffrey Goodman
Director
THE LAST LULLABY

Printing this out for posting @ the sound cart.

such a lovely post Ted. =)

Oh, and re: leading. To lead well, one must be strong enough to keep one's ego out of the way of making the team you lead look good.

Your job is to enable them to do their best: hire folks who are inspired by the job and work well with others; have your sh*t together defining the scope, budget, and expectations/deliverables of the job; making sure your team gets the tools they need, and that you anticipate and clear bottle-necks asap, hopefully before they impede anything.

In terms of team performance and project outcome, great producers are like any great project managers: they recognize that their "power" resides in the performance of their teams - their jobs are to enable their teams to perform terrifically and look good while doing so. :) When everything works great, it's easy for outsiders to discount the manager/producer's essential role in fostering that impressive performance.

And, one last analogy. I consider myself as a ship builder. A writer and/or director will present me with a voyage they're inspired to take, and what type of boat they're considering to sail. I advise them on the suitability of the boat for that voyage and then engage constructing the vessel. The director is, yes, the Captain of the ship; but, I build the ship -- there's no vessel without my skills!

Happy Shooting - Break a leg, everybody!

You make ever person a vital part of the process, and clearly communicate your goals

"You never make anyone pick up after you."

Eight words which define who you are as a Producer, Ted.

Amen.

"This isn't war; making movies is a creative act."

Well put, Ted; I'm just wondering why Samuel French in Hollywood stocks "The Art of War" by Sun Tzu in the film production section... LOL

Godspeed!

You provide the strength in crisis and problem solve by keeping your head instead of losing it.