Knowing what shot to take doesn't make a director great.

A great director knows much more than which shot to take…


In fact, what makes them great has less to do with the actual content of the show.

After sitting next to directors for over 12 years, the best directors all have these same traits:

They trust their crew.

Trust in the crew is the most important way a director can lead. You need to know the crew and what you are going to get. There are some shows where everyone is a seasoned pro, and some shows with newer crew members. Great directors know how to keep calm and get the most from both. Which leads to the next trait…

They know how to coach.

Coaching is part of the job, and a great director can manage less experienced crew members. This one is important, because coaching is just part of the job. Directors need to communicate their ideas in a motivating way to get the most out of any crew.

They listen.
Not only do directors need to give commands, but they need to listen to the Producer, the Assistant Director, the Graphics producer, and the Camera operators while continuing to talk. Try this sometime, it’s a skill that takes practice. The great directors do this with ease, and hear the crew members that are feeding them information. 

They use consistent language.
This one is the most important, it helps everyone anticipate and think for the director. Keeping commands consistent get everyone synchronized very early in the show, and that’s exactly the way it needs to be in a live, unscripted environment. Keep the crew thinking along with you, and most of the time, everything goes smoothly. 

I find these 4 traits make for a very easy and rewarding show. 

What has been your experience? Leave a comment below, and don’t forget to follow me for more insights

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