The director and cinematographer clash creatively on set. How will you navigate this challenging situation?

The Director and DP should be working in tandem. They are the left and right brain completing a cohesive unit that controls the outcome of the project. In my opinion the Direct has all the creative control and in turn has the responsibility. If the film is a flop, it ultimately falls on the director. The DP has an interesting situation. Even is the film doesn't do well but is beautiful the DP can still win. Look at the Joker. Amazing directing and in my opinion one of the most beautiful film I've ever seen. The DP is there to paint the film with the director vision. They are the brush that the director is inspiring. The DP makes the film have a personality of its own. But you can't have one without the other.

Something ive always struggles with is my emotions... When they flare up it's hard to think straight. As I've gotten older stepping away has been the best thing for me. Once I calm down I am able to think clearly, walk through my emotions and think about things logically. I have to do this with my wife, child, colleagues and sometimes friends. Providing feedback in the moment can be effective but if its driven by emotion you will almost always to more harm than good. I have never liked the work meditation. But thinking under a calm mindset to gain clarity has worked better for me in every situation. Take some time... get some oxygen to the brain and let it do what it does best... think.

Compromise in my opinion is actually a necessary function of a project. You need help and you need others to take some off your place. In addition, delegating and trusting your team will invoke more creativity as well as build and galvanize your team. Think of a time where you were trusted, even if the was a challenge. Everyone wants to be able to take something off their plate and know that they are covered. Some of my best creative results came out of letting others talk and take the reins for a moment. I know I can't do it all, and it is too much pressure for one person to hold the burden of all things. Trust your team... remember you chose them for a reason, and hopefully that wasn't to do what you tell them.

Here's how I look at this. There is always a king, or president or dad. Someone has to be the final say. With that comes the responsibility to make wise choices. The director is number 1. Number 1 needs a right hand man. You want someone around that you trust to help make decision but you must have the confidence to take control. The director has to be the rock that hold the project together. The smarted person in the room is not the loudest or the oldest. It's the one that listens to the people around them. Then when all is said they speak last and make decisions that are informed and benefit the larger vision.

This isn't personal. Conflict is a needed component to life. I had a partner in crime a few years back. We make amazing short form comedy content together, but we always have a conflict of ideas. He wanted to play it safe and not ruffle and feather and I always wanted to push the boundaries. We would get in arguments about what idea we would shoot next. How far would we go for the laugh? Who were we willing to rub the wrong way. At the end of the day we would always put our difference aside because we loved making films together and once the project was decided on, we were both all in! Remember, you're better with others over being alone. It's never that serious. Enjoy the process.