The Producer- Director Relationship

The relationships between all departments on a film production is very important- they are projects which often throw cast and crew together in intense, risky and sometimes isolated, creative environments.

However the most important relationship is between the Producer and Director as the two people who  carry most of the responsibility and creative vision for the project and will stay with the production for the longest of all the crew. It's important that they are able to appreciate and respect each other's skills and contribution to the project, while recognising they both have very different responsibilities in many aspects.

My relationship with Chrissie Wood, director of Wife and Husband has developed over time and is different now than it was at the start of the project. I found myself approaching the project, ready to strong-arm my way into position, as Chrissie has previous Producing experience I thought she might try to take on my role as well as her own.

This was not the case and we found that having blunt conversations about our concerns and the separation of our roles was fruitful.

At one point, Chrissie had to ask me to ensure I was consulting her about creative decisions. I had made a note to the cast about their costume requirements and Chrissie, rightly pointed out that those choices would affect the audience's perception of the characters. I took the opportunity to apologise  to Chrissie and acknowledge I had been in error and I think this act helped Chrissie to trust me and not feel like she, too had to defend her position as Director.

During post-production Chrissie and I found ourselves suited in our assessment of the Sound Production and what was needed. We were able to support each other in addressing this with the sound designer and present a united front.

As the book Producing (2012) describes, there are multiple types of Producer and Director and I think Chrissie and I have found our rhythm of working together. Where she lacks some confidence in addressing people, I thrive and am happy meeting new people and asking for help and favours where required.


Bibliography

HOUGHTON, B. (1991) What a Producer Does: The Art of Moviemaking (Not the Business) [Book], USA, Library of Congress Publication

MACNAB & SWART (2012) Producing [Book], UK, ILEX Press.

SHAND, J. (1988) Don't shoot the best boy!: the film crew at work, Currency