our values are our blueprints.
What is a person without values? Our value systems define who we are. Over the years, I have been working hard on myself so I can better define what makes me, me. This blueprint is my fingerprint. These values, and probably others too, define the way I do things, the way I approach work and life, and what I literally “value” the most in my relationships and encounters. These are reference points to the things that matter most to me in the way I do things.
Humanness
Humanness is one thing, and humanity is another. Making things human means keeping them real. It means embracing imperfections because they keep things true to what they are and who they represent. The ideas we get, with their perfectly imperfect aspects makes them magical and inherently human.
play is work
and work is play.
I don’t know where to start when it comes to play! I am a Certified LEGO Serious Play Facilitator, that’s for one. I love playing with LEGOs in my free time, and I use LEGO in my treatments and visualization process. I also value play in all my relationships. On set, I think of all of my work as a puzzle: shots coming together like puzzle pieces to form an overall image/moving picture.
Besides, the opposite of “play” is not “work”, it’s BOREDOM. And we do not want to create boring work. The exploration, curiosity, and experimentation of children are what make any creative encounters worthwhile. We are in a constant state of play. Film sets are like curated play dates with other artists we want to interact with.
generosity
Generosity is a very important value that makes me who I am. I always aim to share - everything I have with whatever I am working on and doing, everything I know with my crew and client/production, and all the knowledge possible with everyone around me. I also love sharing stories! Stories through moving pictures, stories on Instagram, and just telling stories when I see someone over coffee. Sharing never takes away from what we have; it adds to it.
The people who hoarded information and ideas when we were younger.. where are they now? Are they the most successful or the happiest people in the world? Probably not.
I love sharing ideas, stories, food (crazy, I know) with others. This is why I make films: to share stories and spaces with the world. The result of this attitude gives me a flow of energy - I get things out of my system and this creates space for new and exciting ideas and adventures for me.
no space for ego.
In my world, the film set (and any other location in the world!) is no place for ego. We are all coming together to serve the project we are working on.
We are like a bee hive; working hard together and serving the common goal. My job as the director is always one of the crew: to hold all strings and bring all things together towards achieving my vision, which is the common goal.
قال النبي ﷺ: “لا يدخل الجنة من كان في قلبه مثقال ذرة من كبر” - رواه مسلم
responsibility
It’s one thing to be creative, and another to show up for the work. Growing up, my parents always told me to “Remember the 3 R’s: Respect for Self, Respect for Others, and Responsibility for all actions.” This is one of my biggest values. To take ownership and responsibility towards the work I am doing, and all the decisions I make. There is also a responsibility towards my crew and all the stakeholders I work and interact with - personally and professionally. I always aim to be a safe space for myself and others.
HONESTy: CUT THE CRAP!
Let’s get to the beef of what we’re working on. We start by starting. Then we iterate, reiterate, then stabilize until things just “feel” right. Intuition is super super important. I will do to the work (and lots of studying), but our collective intuition must come into play.
It’s all about transparency; being open and communicating things as they are without beating around the bush'; and authenticity; being true to my voice as an artist.
”Honesty is [definitely] the best policy.” We are all most comfortable when we are open, honest, and transparent always. That way, problems are found (and solved) much sooner when they arise, and there is general trust all around us.