I’ve already written about how good it’s been having Matt and Luke around so we can all help each other out as we get to the pointy end of the semester. But I think it’s interesting to think about how I personally work with others. I think I’m a fairly friendly and outgoing person, so from that perspective I enjoy collaborative exercises. Especially when it’s for activities like learning about a certain feature of the camera, or shooting a certain type of scene so we all have the same goal; to learn one specific thing. I think I really flourish in that environment because I’m able to get along with people and discuss things with them.

I find that collaborating on a personal project is far different to collaborating on group project. By that I mean that if I have a scene that I need to shoot for myself, and I have people who I’m in charge with, the collaborative process is obviously much different to a group where everyone is trying to do the same thing. I think it’s easier shooting a personal scene. People are generally ready to listen to you and help you achieve what you set out to do, while in a group with no clear leader everyone’s ideas technically hold equal weight so people are more willing to share theirs. This goes for me not only as a director, but as a helper. I’m more comfortable helping someone with a specific goal in mind than working with a bunch of people who have as many half-thought out ideas as me and are all trying to get theirs made.

I may have been slightly too harsh on group work. For the record, I found that most of the time when we did it this semester, it was helpful. An insight into collaborative filmmaking probably does need to begin with that style of crew. But I’m also glad we were able to go beyond that point and have designated directors to boss everyone around, because in my experience that’s how a crew works most effectively.