Filmens fødselshjælper: Et systemteoretisk perspektiv på betingelser og muligheder for indspilningsledelse

Abstract

This master thesis examines conditions and possibilities observed by the 1st Assistant Director (1st AD) as a middle manager in the Danish film industry. The 1st AD faces the impossible task of completing the shoot within the producer’s time and budget, supporting the director in realizing their creative vision and communicating with the rest of the crew. The research question of this thesis is to answer how 1st ADs transform impossible conditions into opportunities for management and to discuss what effect this has for management of films. The thesis is based on a social constructivist and epistemological approach, which assumes that conclusions depend on the observer. Furthermore, it is based on Niklas Luhmann’s Systems Theory and empirical research consisting of qualitative interviews with 1st ADs, investigating how they perceive film management. Firstly, the thesis analyses how the perceived impossible conditions affect the 1st AD by using functional differentiation. The findings show that 1st ADs face conflicting demands and expectations, which lead to multiple paradoxes and the impossible task of realizing artistic expression with fewer resources. The second analysis uses functional method to explore which strategies 1st ADs use in practice to create opportunities for management. The findings are categorised into four overall management roles, which contains different strategies that 1st ADs use to create opportunities for management. By being strategic about their management and seeing both sides of the paradox the 1st ADs can productively transform challenges into resources. Finally, the thesis discusses advantages and disadvantages of the different management roles and the findings in relation to other research. The thesis concludes that by applying different management strategies 1st ADs can transform impossible conditions into opportunities for future management. This puts pressure on 1st ADs ability to read complex situations and switch between strategies. However, being strategic and changing between strategies creates more opportunities for management.