Lessons from the World’s Biggest Productions: What Hollywood Taught Me About Teamwork
By Jimmy Swinder:
When most people think about Hollywood, they picture red carpets, big stars, and box office premieres. What they don’t see is the army of people working behind the scenes. These are the ones who make the magic happen day after day. I’ve had the chance to be part of some of the biggest productions in Los Angeles, and if there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s this: nothing in this industry gets done without teamwork.
Big productions are like moving cities. On any given day, you’ve got hundreds of crew members, vendors, talent, and coordinators all pulling in different directions, but somehow, it all comes together. The secret? Everyone knows that no one person can carry a show. Every department depends on the others, and success comes from how well we work together.
Communication is Everything
One of the fastest lessons you learn on set is that silence costs time, and time costs money. If the lighting team doesn’t know when camera is ready, or if transportation hasn’t been looped into a schedule change, everything stalls. I’ve been in situations where a simple missed text delayed an entire shoot. That may not sound like much, but when you’re burning through thousands of dollars an hour, it matters.
Good communication isn’t just about sending out call sheets. It’s about being clear, precise, and respectful, whether you’re updating executives, giving instructions to PAs, or emailing a vendor. Hollywood is built on details, and small details communicated badly can snowball into big problems.
No Job is Too Small
On productions of this scale, it’s tempting to think some jobs matter more than others. But the reality is, the smallest task can make or break the day. I’ve seen a driver showing up late with a prop delay an entire setup, and I’ve seen a PA with great initiative save a scene by running across town for last-minute gear.
The best teams I’ve been a part of treat every role as essential. That doesn’t just create efficiency, it builds respect. When people feel their contribution matters, they give their best effort. And in this industry, that’s the difference between barely pulling it off and making something unforgettable.
Adaptability is the Rule, Not the Exception
If you’ve never worked in film or live events, here’s the truth: nothing ever goes 100% according to plan. Weather changes, budgets tighten, locations fall through, talent reschedules, and it’s the team’s job to keep things moving.
On one project, I watched a crew completely redesign a set overnight after a key location canceled. Instead of complaining, everyone pivoted, carpenters, set decorators, lighting, and production all rallied. The next day, the director walked in and said it looked like it was the plan all along. That kind of adaptability only happens when people trust each other.
Leadership is About Service
The best leaders I’ve worked under weren’t the ones who barked orders. They were the ones who set the tone, stayed calm under pressure, and made sure their teams had what they needed to succeed.
I’ve taken that to heart in my own work. Whether it’s coordinating with vendors or managing logistics for a live event, I try to remember that leadership isn’t about control, it’s about support. A good leader removes roadblocks, keeps morale up, and makes sure everyone knows their role in the bigger picture.
Teamwork Makes The Dream Work
At the end of a long shoot day, after the cables are wrapped, the gear is loaded, and everyone’s exhausted, there’s a unique sense of pride that comes from knowing we did this together. Not me, not you, but us.
That’s the real lesson I’ve learned in Hollywood: teamwork isn’t just a buzzword. It’s the foundation that every successful production is built on. And it’s what keeps me inspired to keep showing up, ready to do it all over again.
