Filmmaking / Directing : As a film director, how far can you push it on set? What is the threshold you're not supposed to step over? The limit you must not go beyond? When does authority becomes dictatorship? by Daniel Latteo

I am still learning as a director myself. I tend to be the nice guy and honestly, it leads to too many people trying to have a say in your vision instead of giving you the room to do what you need to do. Sticking to your guns is necessary. Clearly if someone has a great suggestion, don't dismiss it, but if you want something a specific way, then do what is needed to get it.

I think each director has what they consider too far. For me, if something is going to risk someone's safety unnecessarily or emotionally scar someone then I think it's too far unless that person wants to go there.

With that said, I have had actors bite and tear apart raw unscaled fish. Re-enact a sexual abuse scene and do physical stunts, but the actors were all cool with doing that. Granted I made sure to choose actors I figure would be fine with those things, but if they ever expressed that they weren't I would consider drawing the line.

I had an actor who has asthma do a scene in a very dusty cement filled room. I personally wet the place down to cut down on the dust. The actor was very appreciative and did the scene.

I admit, I'm probably still a bit too soft a director but I am still learning.

Ridley Scott. Great filmmaker. Outside of his job, not so much. Known union scab.

"Don't meet your Heroes". Thats all Im gonna say

Daniel Latteo Daniel I love the films of Ridley Scott. He’s a local boy to me and admire the work he’s done, BUT I don’t think I’d like to write a script for Ridley. I don’t think my heart could take his demanding ways!

I understand what he means by “You must get it.” However, I think there are other ways of doing that, whereby you don’t have to be the tyrant.

I think a director can push their point home and get what they want while still being respectful to people on set, Daniel Latteo.

Kevin Jackson

Thanks Kevin!! Sure thing, respect and tolerance should always key elements on a set, even when the director has high demands.

Dan MaxXx

I kind of agree there Dan... Though I still respect & admire the hell out of that man!

For sure, given the nature of my film, I will have to be very demanding on set, but then you have to balance that with respect & being as articulate as you can.

Thank you for your advice Dan!... Most appreciated & will not forget them.

Geoff Hall

I agree with you Geoff!! I think you can get what you want by being respectful, receptive of others ideas & as articulate as you can possibly be in your demands... which is what I think Ridley did.

Daniel Latteo It wasn’t always the case, Daniel. Ridley has confessed that he wasn’t helpful to Harrison Ford during Blade Runner, back in the day. He said he was poor in helping actors with their performance and was more into the technical side of ‘getting it’, but it seems that he’s had an epiphany and learnt from that, which is good to hear!

As a Director, I have two main jobs.

1. Protect the actors and create a safe environment for them to flourish and,

2. Protect the story.

But of course, once you start with a list, well, you know what happens!

You add more to the list, Geoff Hall?

I think you find that out when you get on a set. Everyone has a different style. And when it comes to art, rules don't apply.

Stephen Folker

I tend to agree with you Stephen, although I truly believe that as a film director you should come on set with a clear vision, and sometimes you've got to have the gall to impose it... Which, of course, doesn't necessarily mean to be an A-hole.

Geoff Hall

Yes Geoff, I know. I was talking specifically about Alien here. And I know he had several other problems in some of his productions... But, I think that comes with the territory. It's unavoidable.

My favorite living director has been married 9x, each new wife seems to be younger than him. No wonder he is still working: his alimony payments must be 7-digits. Lol.

The other perspective here is what the world thinks about the results. Think Steve Jobs. Loved by the world at large for his unwavering creative commitment that resulted in some amazing products, but to those who worked under him there was an emotional toll exacted. Keeping one’s creative vision is paramount to be sure. But like a successful sports coach, a director has the choice to individually inspire great performance from each actor instead of applying heavy handed, one size fits all behavior.

Maurice Vaughan ka-ching, Maurice!

Daniel Latteo I think it’s perhaps unavoidable if you are working on a Ridley Scott picture, but then I’m tempted to say, who wouldn’t want to work on a Ridley Scott picture? Form queue behind me!

Ty Strange

Great comment Ty! That is exactly my point of view on directing - Be tough, but fair. And try to organize & coordinate your cast & crew so that you'll get them to do their very best work. Something that emerges from the crowd... Something that stands out.

Trust and respect are paramount to me. Pushing boundaries of behavior not so much. Some directors have track records that earn them some behavioral questionability like the clips we've seen of David O'Russell screaming at people but beyond the success of his films, crew and top talent keep working with him. SO there must be trust and respect there on some deeper level.