What I Learned about Set Life from Office Life... and Vice Versa

I can’t lie. Working on a film set is pretty damned cool. It’s been my dream since childhood to create “movies,” no matter the form.  Nothing excites me more than watching all the myriad pieces come together to create the absolute magic of moving images. Whether it’s tiny video projects or big-budget commercial and film production, seemingly a zillion moving parts need to work in perfect sync to make greatness.

Which is exactly the same as working in an office.

I’ve had the great pleasure of working on both sides of the table. I served 20+ years as a marketing creative and team leader before spearheading video production as my primary occupation. Early on, I never really saw how one would prepare me for the other. Now, I know the experience was an invaluable master class in how to make life on-set run like a well-oiled machine.

When you work with a team in an office environment, you definitely deal with varying levels of personality, prowess, and work ethic. But regardless of those differences one thing holds true: Everyone needs to pull their weight and be accountable for the team to succeed. 

Success is ONLY possible when all boats row in the same direction and everyone has their hands on an oar. If everyone is vested in a successful project outcome, getting there feels effortless.

So, no matter what team environment you work in, here are a few things I’ve gleaned from office life that have guided success on set—and a few that apply in reverse.

• There’s no “I” in TEAM… but there is an “M” and an “E”. While it requires the crew’s collective brainpower to succeed, you are responsible for pulling your weight. Nothing will derail a project like thinking, “I’ve done enough; let someone else pick up the slack.” 

• Everyone has a unique work style… and that’s not necessarily a bad thing. Different personalities offer different points of view. Embrace those differences and see how they can benefit the task at hand. Working with people who think exactly as you do is dull! It’s important to surround yourself with crew members who can challenge you. It almost always makes the whole team better and the work even more so.

• You’ll sometimes be thrown together with people you don’t know. You may not be familiar with their skill set. But think of everyone on the team as an expert in their field. Trust their instincts on their particular discipline. As soon as you think you know better, stuff will fall apart fast.

• Listen to and consider all ideas, no matter who they come from. The quickest way to destroy team dynamics is to believe that “good ideas” only come from certain roles. There are no VIPs when it comes to process and problem-solving. Remember: each crew member got the job because they’re (hopefully) good at what they do. Believe in that. 

• Shit will go sideways from time to time. It’s inevitable. How much you and your team can rely on each other spells the difference between triumph and tragedy. Strong relationships create strong results. Period. Have each other’s backs, take time to learn what makes each other tick, and ultimately use that knowledge to understand better how the crew stands up to major challenges.

• Although there are usually filters to weed out the surly, insular, and just plain unpleasant types, they sometimes slip through and end up on the crew. It can be detrimental to the entire project. Create an environment where everyone is free to express concern and mature enough to handle tough conversations. Establish that a respectful, open set is the baseline from the get-go, and don’t shy away from calling it out when it’s not happening. The old saying that one bad apple can spoil the bunch is 100% true. I firmly believe that the overly cranky behave the way they do because nobody calls them on it. So, pull them aside and call them on it. Nicely, if possible. Firmly, if needed.

• Lastly, and I’ll say it every chance I get: Have a good time. Have fun. Keep it light, for heaven’s sake. There’s no reason any project needs to be a funeral dirge—even if your job is to score funeral dirges. Not to say you shouldn’t take your job seriously. Of course, you should. But there’s a big difference between being professional and being a big fat stick in the mud. Especially in a leadership role, your mood and behavior directly affect the entire team. Working in an office or on-set can be stressful and daunting, and good morale is critical to success. Having fun creates camaraderie, and camaraderie creates dedication. Laughter can make anything better, no matter the project. Create some.

Sure, it's cliché to say you need to lead by example. But leadership—in an office or on set— takes time, practice, and discipline to master. Focusing on good habits and stronger relationships guarantees smooth sailing—and a killer end product—regardless of what you’re working on.

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Hey there! I'm JR Soldano, an award-winning director, producer, and writer who creates standout productions that deliver exceptional results. I’ve assembled a top-tier crew of talent, ready to create, bring fresh ideas, and have a damn good time doing it. I'm also constantly looking for new challenges and collaborations.

If you're ready to make something extraordinary—and have a blast along the way—let’s connect! Click here to text/call or email me at jrsoldano@mac.com.