artists vs. artisans

I am learning there is a big difference between artisans and artists. As a producer, most of what I do doesn’t involve artists. The people who work on productions with me are actually artisans – they are craftsmen. They have a craft that they execute with precision and skill.

My DPs light scenes not to be artistic – but to communicate the mood of the script. Writers hammer out dialogue that gets to the core of the characters. My wardrobe supervisor designs and picks clothes not to win a fashion award on the runway – but to illustrate the attitudes of the characters and time period. My editors cut the scenes so that the edits don’t draw attention to themselves.

In my opinion – the artist is more authoritarian – more original. They aren’t working toward a practical goal. They are in a sense trying to draw attention to themselves.

Craftsmen on the other hand are skilled at making something beyond themselves. They do very well with direction and guidance. They are in it for the common good of the project and their satisfaction is in playing a professional and talented role on the team.

The greatest producers in the world are the ones that can communicate and direct the best artisans and craftsmen to achieve a vision.

Great producers are craftsmen of craftsmen. Instead of painting with oils, playing the piano, or writing great stories – people (particularly artisans) are their medium of choice. And they are very good at it.