Have you worked with great inspiring creatives?

One of the most pleasurable aspects of working in the creative industry is the chance and opportunity to meet and work with individuals who have the ability to totally inspire. Individuals whose enthusiasm, innovativeness and visionary approach align with their driven desire to create. 

I'm currently working on a film set for a theatre production company; their current project being commissioned by the BBC for a 1-hour feature-length film. I’m fortunate to have been commissioned to photograph the Stills for the production. The behind the scenes images and all the publicity and marketing photography. 

The ‘star' of the show is a young director who I've been privileged to observe closely over the last two weeks, directing and organising a cast and film crew of over 40, all achieved with charm, enthusiasm and fantastic diplomacy alongside his creative vision that's so inspiring to see. He's not only the companies theatrical director but also an actor and dancer and something which I haven't mentioned, also stars in the leading role of this production. I've learnt a lot from just watching and observing how he works and conducts himself around others. 

It takes a particular person to be a figurehead amongst other creative souls; begin able to orchestrate so many in a pressurised environment. It's a privilege to be a part of a fantastic team and crew, all who have been hand-picked for their particular skills, expertise and know-how. 

Some of the most salient points of his capabilities I've learnt from my two weeks on this film set are;

1. Inspiring and passionate; a leader. 
2. Fun to work with.
3. A clear and refined vision.
4. Trust and faith in his crew's abilities and talents; being able to delegate responsibilities.
5. Focussed on the project; not easily distracted.
6. Objectively open to other people's ideas/points of view, but always confident of his own. 
7. Being diplomatic and tactful; constructively giving criticism.
8. Originality. 
9. Being aware of using one's previous experience as a director and other roles in a production. 
10. Always having more projects ready to go when this current one is finished, a point which resonated with me. 

When I first arrived on set and saw the enormity of the production, I have to be honest, a little self-doubt and the feeling of imposter syndrome crept into my consciousness. Walking onto a massive film stage and into a large 'circle' of strangers, all rushing around working at breakneck speed, and then standing in deathly silence, almost too scared to move or breathe. But thankfully the praise I've received from the production company and crew about my work as gone a long way in calming those initial fears. 

That's the great thing of being part of an amazing creative team, we're all pulling in the right direction, all working with the same visionary thought process, all pushing together to create something that's not only entertaining but also educational and thought-provoking. Every one of us has a job to do, we're all little cogs in a much bigger wheel all moving in one direction, under the vision of one person. 

There are a few things I've learnt and will take away from working on this production, great new lighting techniques for one. But, the most impressive and essential things I felt were the director's ability to delegate, inspire and above all to make the work fun, unifying everyone with laughter. Even when the spectre of seemingly terminally and insurmountable problems arose, this all added with the constant pressures of time and budget. 

Because we're still in production, I'm not permitted to print any pictures or to name names, these are a small selection of photographs from previous feature films which I was commissioned to produce.  

John Ferguson - Photographer - Visual Storyteller

Helping Commercial, Editorial & Corporate Clients By Providing Creative & Branding Photography 

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