The Producer’s Guide to Setting the Stage for Success, Part 3
A great producer does more than juggle schedules and budgets. They look out for their team. When people feel seen, supported, and led by someone who can keep their cool under pressure, everything runs smoother. Morale stays high, the work gets better, and everyone’s a little more sane by the end of the project.
One of the most impactful ways to support your team is by giving credit where it’s due. There’s nothing worse than pouring yourself into a project and feeling like it went unnoticed. As a producer, you’re in a unique position to make sure the people doing the work feel appreciated. I once led a tough three-month project where the team was stretched super thin. There were extremely long nights, shifting deadlines, the works! By the time we wrapped, everyone was wiped. Shortly after final delivery, we had a small team dinner and took a moment to acknowledge everyone’s contributions. It wasn’t formal or fancy, just genuine. The vibe completely changed. People left feeling proud, not just burned out. It doesn’t take much.
A quick thank-you in a meeting, a Slack shoutout, or a personal message goes a long way. And the more specific you can be, the better. Instead of saying “Great job,” say “You nailed the timing on the design, it really elevated the whole spot.” When you’re specific, it shows you’re paying attention. Credit is currency in creative work, so don’t hoard it. Share it generously, especially in front of leadership and clients.
Another critical part of caring for your team is recognizing frustration before it boils over. You can usually tell when someone’s off. Maybe they’re quiet in meetings, pulling back from conversations, or their messages just feel different. The earlier you catch it, the easier it is to address. I’ve found that a simple check-in can make a big difference. A quick “Hey, I noticed you seemed a bit frustrated, everything okay?” can open up a conversation and give someone a chance to be heard. Sometimes the fix is really simple, like adjusting a deadline or clarifying feedback. Other times, just having someone acknowledge that things are hard is enough to shift the energy. On one project, I noticed an animator slipping behind on tasks. Rather than pressuring them, I asked what was getting in the way. Turned out they’d been hit with a string of last-minute changes and didn’t feel they could speak up. We tweaked the workflow to give them more buffer and clearer direction, and they bounced back quickly. Creating space for people to be honest without fear of judgment can save a project before it derails.
Just as important is learning to stay calm under pressure. Let’s be honest, production can be chaotic. Things change constantly, timelines shift, and clients pivot. As the producer, your energy sets the tone. If you’re stressed and scattered, your team will feel it. But if you stay steady and focused, they’re more likely to follow your lead. I’ve been in plenty of situations where it felt like everything was going sideways. In those moments, I try to take a breath, focus on what actually matters, and break it into small steps. Sometimes I have to take more than one breath! Or even take a walk before I talk to the team.
Staying calm doesn’t mean pretending everything is fine. It means being honest and grounded so the team can reorient. That clarity helps us push through without burning out. Not every problem is an emergency. Knowing how to triage, simplify, and project calm, even when feeling the pressure yourself, is a superpower in this role.
Caring for your team is so important, which is why we teach our students how to do that from the very get-go. Literally, we developed an acronym! And taking care of your team isn’t just about being nice. It’s about setting up a culture where people can do their best work without burning out. When people feel appreciated, heard, and supported, they show up with more energy and care. And that makes your job easier, too. So give credit. Check in early. And when things get hard, take a breath and lead with confidence. Your team will feel the difference, and so will the work.
