When I first joined the team for Amazon Prime’s Red One, starring Dwayne Johnson, I didn’t fully know what I was getting myself into—neither did the company, for that matter. It was the largest show in the company’s history, our budget alone was 8 figures, and no clear turnover schedule in sight. As a newcomer, I found myself amid a large team of producers, project managers, coordinators, and production assistants, all tasked with bringing this ambitious project to life.

The experience taught me invaluable lessons about the importance of team building, especially in high-pressure environments with large, diverse teams. Here are some key takeaways that I believe are essential for anyone working on complex projects, especially in the visual effects and film industry.

“Great things in business are never done by one person; they’re done by a team of people.”

— Steve Jobs

Team Building

In a production as massive as Red One, team building was the foundation of our success. Bringing together a diverse group of professionals required more than just assigning tasks; it was about fostering trust, collaboration, and mutual respect. Empathy was crucial here—understanding and valuing each member’s perspective and strengths created a unified, motivated team that could tackle even the most daunting challenges together.

Training

Effective training was another pillar of our success. With team members coming from various backgrounds and levels of experience, ensuring that everyone was equipped with the right skills and knowledge was essential. Empathy in training meant recognizing individual learning styles and providing support where needed, creating an environment where everyone felt confident in their abilities and ready to contribute to the project’s success.

Delegation

Delegating roles in a large team, especially when several people hold the same title, can be a challenge, but it’s vital for clarity and efficiency. We needed clear delegation to align responsibilities with each team member’s strengths and aspirations. Empathy played a key role in this process, preventing confusion and overlap while empowering each person to take ownership of their role, contributing to a smoother workflow and a more harmonious working environment.

Communication

Communication is the lifeblood of any project, especially one as complex as Red One. In a large team, it’s easy for messages to get lost or misunderstood. Prioritizing open, transparent, and empathetic communication ensured that everyone stayed informed and aligned, reducing the risk of errors and fostering a culture of collaboration. Empathy in communication meant listening actively and considering how messages were received, which helped maintain morale and team cohesion.

Remember to Have Fun

Amid the pressures and deadlines of a large-scale production, it’s important to remember that work can—and should—be enjoyable. Incorporating fun into the process boosted our morale, strengthened team bonds, and helped alleviate stress. Empathy played a role here by encouraging a positive atmosphere where people felt supported and appreciated, making the work environment not only more productive but also more enjoyable.

Check in’s

In a large, fast-paced project, it’s easy for individual team members to feel overlooked. Regularly checking in with each person individually to see how they’re doing, asking what they need, and offering help or additional training if needed, goes a long way (read that again). These personal check-ins show that someone is looking out for them, fostering a sense of belonging and support. More often than not, team members will deeply appreciate this attention, and it can significantly boost their morale and productivity.

Embrace Uncertainty and Be Ready to Pivot

In a project as ambitious as Red One, uncertainty was inevitable, and the ability to pivot was crucial. Embracing uncertainty with empathy allowed the team to stay adaptable and resilient in the face of unexpected challenges. Understanding that everyone handles change differently and offering support during transitions helped us maintain focus and momentum, ensuring that setbacks were navigated smoothly and creatively. You can remind the team that change is inevitable in these types of projects, we just have to keep going, and don’t take changes personally.

Final Thoughts

Working on Red One was a remarkable experience that reinforced the importance of empathy in team building, training, delegation, communication, and even in embracing the unexpected. These elements are not just important in the film industry but in any field where collaboration and complex projects are involved.

By building a team culture that prioritizes empathy, we can create environments where people are motivated, supported, and, ultimately, successful.