Martin Scorsese’s 4 Tips for Working With a Film Crew
Written by MasterClass
Last updated: Sep 7, 2021 • 1 min read
Working on a film set can be exhilarating, but it requires teamwork and constant communication. Academy Award–winning filmmaker Martin Scorsese shares his insights about working on a film set and leading a film crew as a director.
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What Are a Director’s Most Important Relationships?
When it comes to directing a film, your most important relationships are with your director of photography, your assistant director, and your co-producers. They are your core team—your lifeline. This key group should understand what you envision for the film, so it’s essential they have an intimate familiarity with the script and pre-production designs before shooting begins. Learn more about film crew roles and responsibilities in our complete guide here.
Martin Scorsese’s 4 Tips for Working With a Crew
While teamwork and a sense of camaraderie are crucial, it is essential that you remember your duties as director:
- 1. Be decisive. Humility has its place, but you must also assume the responsibility that comes with being the decision-maker.
- 2. Keep your vision top of mind. Always remind yourself of your original vision.
- 3. Stay focused. Block out everything around you that distracts from the idea you had in your head when you first embarked on making the film.
- 4. Trust your crew. Every single person on your set plays a role in making your film. You absolutely need them, and you should trust their expertise.
Want to Learn More About Filmmaking?
Whether you’re a budding director, screenwriter, or filmmaker, navigating the movie business requires plenty of practice and a healthy dose of patience. No one knows this better than legendary director Martin Scorsese, whose films have shaped movie history. In Martin Scorsese’s MasterClass on filmmaking, the Oscar winner deconstructs films and breaks down his craft, from storytelling to editing to working with actors.
Want to become a better filmmaker? The MasterClass Annual Membership provides exclusive video lessons from master filmmakers, including Martin Scorsese, David Lynch, Jodie Foster, Werner Herzog, Spike Lee, and more.