Directing a film from cradle to grave is a highly involved process that requires a balance of patience and collaboration. A director is in charge of the creative and dramatic components of a film, as well as visualizing the concept and leading the technical team and performers in carrying out that vision. Film projects come in a variety of sizes and often involve working and collaborating with dynamic teams that evolve often. Consider a 48hr film project where you have to conceptualize a script, cast, shoot, edit and submit a film project over the course of two days. It is quite exciting and daunting at the same time. As a director how do you manage multiple creatives? Especially when you don't have the luxury of time on your side to develop deep connections quickly. Here are a few tips to help you extract the greatest from each of the individuals on your team.

Servant Leadership. Your role is to inspire your team through genuine engagement and empowerment. Be attuned to the physical and social state of your team. Good communication with your team is characterized by listening first.

Creativity in this space isn't about unbridled freedom but more of flexible constraints. Define the box so your team can find ways to operate within that space and provide them the ability work with some flexibility. Ensure your guidelines are clear and consistent.
Emphasize collaboration by making sure everyone can operate as a shareholder and contribute. Dispel notions of competition. Everyone loses when the family feuds. Find ways to incorporate everyone's creative inputs or curate their suggestions to fit the project.
Work WITH your creative plan to support timely deliverables (meeting deadlines), offer regular updates on progress, answer questions, and organize brainstorming sessions. Facilitate engagement. These are all great evolved approaches to project management.
Provide Role Clarity. Educate the team on each members responsibilities. This will benefit the team by promoting greater cross-departmental communication and respect for the members the form the dynamic business.
Quite micromanaging! Instead put your faith in your creatives abilities and aptitudes. The most challenging aspect of managing engineers, cinematographers, teachers or chefs (the list is endless) is relinquishing power and bowing to your team's deeper experiences/knowledge.

What is one thing you have learned working with creative teams?