JOURNAL OF GENIUS AND EMINENCE, 5 (1) 2020
Effective Collaboration between Professional
Polish Filmmakers:The Grounded Theory Approach
Aleksandra Zienowicz-Wielebska
Jagiellonian University, Poland
Aleksandra Krukowska-Burke
Newman University, United Kingdom
Ewa Serwotka & Pola Weiner
Positive Sport Foundation, Poland
Abstract
Psychological factors such as achievement motivation and personality affect individuals involved in film production. Group dynamics are also highly influential during the filmmaking process, yet studies in the performing arts are limited in number, and few have focused on the psychological needs and the complexities of the film production crew which contribute to achieving a high-quality masterpiece. The present study aimed to explore the social contexts (factors and processes) in which eminent Polish filmmakers develop and flourish, using the performance psychology perspective. Twenty actors, 16 directors, 12 producers, six cameramen, five sound technicians, four costume designers, three make-up artists, three film editors, two screenwriters, and two stage designers participated in semi-structured interviews and participant observations. The resulting grounded theory of Effective Film Production Collaboration suggests that conditions (e.g. need for achievement) influence group- and individual-level factors (e.g. communication) which in turn affect the quality of collaboration, that is perceived through group cohesiveness, quality of relationships, and perseverance.
Keywords: Film, performance psychology, performing arts, effective collaboration, grounded theory