Lee Kemp

I like to think the holistic approach works. I’ve produced, first AD’d, written, directed and shot stuff before. All of which is at a pretty minor level and generally when the right people weren’t available. But when you’re up against time and the light is running out, pressure tends to build up pretty quickly regardless of the stakes. I’m sure multiplying pressure by the budget has a chronic effect but in those cases where there is a budget to multiply by, there’s a lot more people with their eye on the ball.

If you know how hard someone’s job is then you know how hard they’re working, or you can recognise when they’re not. You’ll know if they’re better than you (they should be) so you’ll know when to listen to them. You’ll also know when to overrule them because you’re the only one that really knows how important any one shot is.

The point of all this is that I think a lot of directing is about getting the best out of people. It certainly helps knowing and understanding what you’re asking them to do.

As always there’s a counter-argument. You have to be ignorant of some things or risk being ignorant of everything (I can’t remember who said that). I have this pinned up next to my desk at work to inhibit my desire to be the best at everything. It’s an annoying trait that is massively counter-productive to my true ambitions. It’s also the one quirk the four directors of my company share. It can be counter-productive there too.

I guess finding the balance is always the hard part.