Eight Traits I Look for in Collaborators as an Indie Director and Producer
- Andrew G. Cooper
- Jun 19
- 6 min read
Updated: Jun 20
It's time.
I'm starting to put together the team for my first feature film.
I had a great first meeting with my Director of Photography this week. They're someone I've collaborated with before, and we work really well together. The meeting went great (no surprise there), and it got me really excited about this project. (I'm taking my recently-completed short film Strangers and expanding it into a full-length story). It also made me realize that I've really got to get on locking down other department heads and key creatives.
Which got me thinking. What am I looking for with collaborators?
I've been focusing on the process of filmmaking this year, so I started musing on that question. By no means is this intended to be a list of qualities that all filmmakers and creatives should have. This is just what I'll be looking for with this new project. For me, there's no wrong way to work, and if people don't jive with my style that's fine.
So. Here are eight traits I'll be looking for in collaborators for this feature film.
People more knowledgeable and talented than I am.
Does that sounds like a weird way to start? Well, it's really important to me. It's probably the first thing I look for when talking to people I haven't worked with before. I want to hire people who really know what they're doing.
I think the best thing a director can do, especially early in their career, is surround themselves with talented, smart, creative people. I want to work with those who will add to the process—people who bring new ideas and experiences to the project.
I want to work with creatives who contribute ideas that surprise and excite me. The last thing I want to do as a director is come up with all the ideas. Many of the ideas, sure, but as a director I see myself as sort of a filter or lens through which all the ideas must pass. So knowledge and talent is key.
Passion (or at least interest) in the project.
Working in the indie filmmaking space, it's important to me that people care about the project. Do they want to be here? Do they get what we’re trying to create. As an indie producer and director I know no one is going to care about my project as much as I do, but it's important to me that we take pride in the work and put in our best effort. If you're really talented and highly experienced but you phone it in, that's not for me.
Really, I think this comes down to sharing taste. Do our aesthetics align? Are we compatible artistically? I want to connect with the people I work with, and I want them to connect to the work.
Striving for excellence.
As I said, I care about my projects. A lot. I'm striving to make the best films I can. Nothing is going to be "perfect" (whatever that means), but I'm looking for people aiming to do their best when we collaborate.
We're putting a lot of time and energy (and money) into making something. Why not strive for it to be an excellent something?
Work hard / play hard mentality.
I like working hard. Filmmaking is hard work. The hours are long. It's often a difficult process. Because of that, I also like having fun. It's important to me to create an environment where people can enjoy themselves. I don't see why we can't have both!
If someone is all play and no work, that ain't gonna work. I have ambitious projects and, unfortunately, the timelines are often tight because budgets are small. We gotta work.
But if someone is all work and no play (which, honestly, is the direction I lean myself), I think the creative work suffers. I really believe that the environment (whether it's pre-production, behind the camera, or in the editing studio) affects what comes through on the screen. Because of that, rigorous and playful experimentation is key to my process.
Open to experimentation.
Rigorous and playful experimentation. What does that even mean? When I'm creating something new, I like to try things! I need to see what doesn't work so I can find what does work.
What are the chances of finding a great solution to a problem or pitching an awesome idea on the first go? Pretty low. I'm all about iteration. Digging deeper. Finding a more interesting choice. So let's experiment. I see every film I make as a learning experience, so let's grow and learn together.
Filmmaking is like one of those collaborative board games where you're all working together against the game. We're all on the same team. I want a crew who's open to playing as a team and trying out different approaches.
Good communication skills.
Communication isn't just important for filmmaking, I think it's key in every aspect of life. A lot of people talk about this, but what does it actually mean?
For me, I want to work with people who are comfortable giving and receiving feedback. People who are open to discussions. Are they able to listen well? Do they just push their own ideas? Are they passive aggressive? Can they articulate their wants, needs, and ideas in a straightforward manner? We're going to be working together for months (maybe even years), so it's important we actually know how to talk to each other.
One thing I don't like is when people over promise and under deliver. I was guilt of this early in my career. I was eager to please. I was sometimes overconfident. But when making a film, you've got to be honest about your limitations and the limitations of the budget or crew you've got. Better know up front and make a new game plan then find out when it's too late. Which leads me to...
Problem-solving mindset.
I really love collaborators who come to me with solutions, not just problems.
Can you manage yourself and your team when problems arise? *Chef's kiss.* Because problems will arise. Fires will happen (proverbial ones, hopefully, I'd really like to avoid literal fires). Things go off the rails. I'm looking for filmmakers who are eager to tackle problems and solve them as a team.
I come from the theatre world where budgets are always tight. So I like it when people are scrappy, resourceful, and know how to make the most out of the limitations of a project.
If I have an idea or want to try something, even it's wild or unreasonable, please don't just tell me "no". That doesn't get us anywhere. If you think something won't work, tell me the reasons why. Explain other possibilities to me. That way we can weigh the pros and cons and come up with a plan to move forward.
Absolutely no assholes.
This one is really simple, but extremely important. I have a "zero assholes" policy. Basic respect for others is an absolute minimum. Do you have to be happy, optimistic, or fun all the time? No. That's not what it's about. But if people are ego-driven or mean-spirited, I won't work with them. Simple as that.
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That is my list right now. Did I leave out something you think is really important? Am I missing out on an even better way to work with others? Let me know!
By no means is this list comprehensive, but it's a starting point for me to keep in my mind while I have meetings with potential collaborators over the summer. Wish me luck.
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