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RUHere are 10 BIG signs:
1. Telling actors how to feel.
If you say “be more depressed,” just go home. Actors need verbs, not adjectives. Give them a goal to achieve, not an emotion to fake. Results-oriented directing is the fastest way to get a plastic performance.
2. Having zero “North Star.”
If you don’t have a clear through-line, your crew is just guessing. If you don’t know the point of the scene, how is the DP supposed to know where to put the light?
3. Being “too busy” to eat.
The “starving artist” trope is exhausting. Eat a bagel. Nobody wants to work for a director who is one minor inconvenience away from a “hangry” meltdown.
4. Glued to the monitor.
Video Village is a trap. If you spend the whole day in a tent 20 feet away, you aren’t directing—you’re spectating. Get in there and feel the air in the room.
5. Thinking you’re “above” playback.
If you don’t check the footage, don’t cry when you get to the edit and realize the boom mic was in the shot or the focus was soft. Ego doesn’t fix bad takes.
6. Projecting your panic.
We’re all sweating it, but if you’re vibrating with anxiety and asking everyone “if we’re okay,” you’re killing the vibe. Fake the confidence until the wrap bell rings.
7. Acting like a dictator.
It’s a film set, not a monarchy. You’re the captain of the ship, but the ship doesn’t move without the engineers. Lead the project; don’t rule it.
8. Forgetting you’re a human being.
If you don’t take “artist dates” to touch grass and reset, your work will get stale. Go sit in the woods for an hour. Your script will thank you.
9. Being a Film School hater.
Dismissing film school is a mid-tier personality trait. A lot of the pros holding your reflectors spent four years learning the “why” behind the “how.” Respect the hustle.
10. Forgetting to actually enjoy this.
You’re making movies, not performing open-heart surgery. Lighten up. If you’re miserable on set, it’ll show up on screen.
I’ve got a massive list of filmmaking tips and resources to help you actually lead a crew.
Comment ‘FILM’ and I’ll DM it to you for free! 👇
#film #filmmaking #setlife #behindthescenes
Visuals: BERWYN - Trap Phone (Director’s Cut)
@rubenscott
