Being human

I’ve been on commercial sets as a director for nearly 15 years.
(Yes, I did start young, thank you)

When I started, I was eager to prove myself

And I was eager to create

And I was eager to experience the intoxication of creating with crew.

Now, I find myself longing to lead with authenticity

Like never before.

These are my most authentic moments on set

And what they’ve taught me.

I’ve learned hard lessons about preparation, 

Including the set in Mississippi where I got so dehydrated

That the clients thought I was upset with them

When in reality I couldn’t think straight.
That’s when I started buying “fancy water”
in glass bottles that are clearly mine,

And making sure I drink through all of them before set end.

That, and learning to get sport massage 

And chiropractic care and gym time

Has been a game changer for set preparedness.

Last autumn I got a massage before every shoot.

But mostly,

What I think about is emotional authenticity.

I think about how many of us really just walk around carrying huge loads

That we don’t tell anyone.

Key 🔑 : it’s not just you.

The day it really clicked in for me was after a “parent holiday”

In the United States.
We were shooting a multi-day brand shoot just two days after one of these holidays

And to be honest, I was emotionally trashed

And it was an outdoor 110 F shoot.

We were getting through the hot days and made some excellent work
(after all, we are professionals)

But the energy on set just wasn’t all I knew it could be.

I chatted quickly with a mentor,

And he suggested,
“Lead with authenticity.”

So right before our next day of shooting,

I pulled a small crew huddle together.

I said simply, “It’s just been a big holiday.
I don’t feel great. Maybe that’s you too. I just wanted you to know, you’re not alone.”

And out of 6 people in our huddle, three others said they felt the same.

The energy on set completely shifted.
We not only had a great day,

But we pulled as one

Even on a hot day with so much energy (and sweat) expended.

Now, I do crew huddles before we begin.

We talk. We express gratitude. We work through hurdles before they start.

And, if there are big events happening in the world, we acknowledge those, too.

This has changed the energy on set for me

More than anything.

For me, that register of emotional authenticity

Brings something out of my talent, crew and images

That is expensive.

It requires vulnerability 

And it’s priceless.

Leading in this register has changed it all for me.

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