How to Handle On-Set Tensions Like a Pro
Posted on: Mar 06, 2025
Photo Credit: True Touch Lifestyle // ShutterstockWorking on a TV or film set can be exciting, but it also comes with its share of stress and difficulties—especially when it comes to working with challenging personalities. This industry is fast-paced and high-pressure, so tensions can often arise quickly. Most everyone has experienced moments when the stress of life on-set gets to them and learning how to handle those moments is a crucial skill every crew member must develop. Navigating these tensions without burning bridges is key to maintaining professionalism and preserving your reputation within the industry.
Key Insights:
•Understand the Pressure – Many conflicts arise from stress, not personal issues, so respond with empathy.
•Stay Professional & Composed – Keeping emotions in check helps maintain your reputation and career growth.
•Set Boundaries & Take Breaks – Knowing when to step away or set limits can prevent unnecessary conflicts.
•Resolve & Move On – Mediation can help when needed, but letting go of grudges ensures a smoother work environment.
Pause Before Responding
One of the first steps in handling difficult personalities on-set is to understand that much of the behavior you encounter may stem from stress, pressure or exhaustion. Production schedules are notoriously tight, and people often act out when they feel overwhelmed. It’s not always personal—sometimes it’s a reflection of the intensity of the work.
Before reacting to someone’s attitude, take a moment to step back and consider the situation. When dealing with an urgent issue, tight deadlines, or difficult creative decisions, people can often react without thinking. Recognizing the external pressures someone may be facing can help you respond with empathy instead of defensiveness.
For example, if a director snaps at you during a stressful moment, it’s often more about the overwhelming demands of the shoot than you personally. If possible, give them space and give them grace. That being said, if there is a pattern of behavior, bring it up with your direct supervisor and let them handle it internally. Understanding the root cause of the tension helps you maintain emotional distance from the situation and keeps you from becoming overly reactive and risking your job or reputation.
Managing Your Emotions
Emotions can run high on-set, and it’s easy to be drawn into arguments or conflict. However, one of the most important ways to handle difficult personalities is by keeping your emotions in check. As a crew member, your job is to maintain a professional demeanor. Losing your temper or letting frustrations get the best of you can negatively impact your career.
When I’m confronted with a difficult person, I usually take a deep breath and focus on just doing my job. At the end of the day, we’re a team and we must be able to work together. Reacting with anger, defensiveness or sarcasm will do nothing but escalate the situation. It’s important to demonstrate maturity, professionalism and self-control.
Know When to Take a Break
If you feel your temper flaring, it’s okay to step away for a moment and regain your composure. If possible between takes or set-ups, take a few minutes for yourself. Use that time to go to the crafty table, drink some water or just get away from the stress and re-center.
As creatives, we can often put everything we have into a project, but we need to remember that it’s important to rest and let that creativity regenerate. When we’re feeling drained, we’re much more likely to lash out at others and vice versa. Film is not a life or death industry, so don’t allow yourself or anyone else to take on that much pressure. It can be stressful, yes, but it should also be fun.
Setting Professional Boundaries
Knowing when to set professional boundaries is important, especially in this industry. It can be hard to separate yourself from your work, but by setting boundaries, you can separate yourself from the stress of the day. This is especially necessary if you’re dealing with someone who is consistently disruptive or unprofessional. Allowing difficult behavior to continue unchecked can hurt your work and your well-being.
When setting boundaries, it’s important to remain professional. Instead of engaging in confrontational language, frame your boundaries in a way that focuses on the work and the need for collaboration. Be respectful, especially if this involves your superior. Make sure they understand that these boundaries will not hinder your work, but will allow you to perform better.
If Needed, Seek Mediation
Sometimes, conflicts on-set can’t be resolved between the individuals involved. Suppose tensions escalate to the point where they’re affecting the productivity of the set. In that case, it may be necessary to involve a supervisor, producer or human resources professional to mediate the issue. Having a neutral third party involved can help de-escalate the situation and provide a fresh perspective on resolving the conflict. Mediation ensures that all parties are heard and that a fair solution can be reached.
Don’t Take Things Personally
When dealing with a difficult person on-set, try your best not to hold a grudge. We’ve already discussed that most of the time it isn’t personal, so learning how to let it go and continue your day is essential to making things work on-set. Holding grudges on-set can create unnecessary tensions. Once the issue has been addressed and resolved, it’s important to move forward and focus on the task at hand.
Demonstrating professional conflict resolution builds stronger workplace relationships and highlights your ability to thrive in demanding TV and film production environments. Maintaining a positive, calm and solution-oriented attitude helps you build a reputation as someone who is easy to work with, which is critical for long-term success in the industry.
Benjamin Hickson is an aspiring producer and production coordinator who has 4+ years experience working on various Film and TV projects. He has a background in Public Relations and served for six years in the military. He also has passion for travel and aims to increase LGBTQ+ representation in the entertainment industry.
Browse thousands of jobs and find your next gig! Sign up or login to Staff Me Up and get on-set today!
You may also like: