Written by Diane Cruz Mejia
Executive Director of the Five 16 Production Workshop and an assistant director (AD), Lily Crane, worked on several Five 16 films, including The Understudy, Unspoken, The Perfect Worker, and Man in the Mirror. Crane, who handled sound design for Call You Back in addition to her AD role, shares her behind-the-scenes experience.
While working on Man in the Mirror, Crane gained valuable insight into group dynamics. Collaborating with new team members presented both challenges and opportunities for growth. “Be slow to anger and quick to listen,” an approach that proved essential when unexpected obstacles arose on set. During filming, a vehicle malfunction caused delays, requiring the team to adapt and problem-solve together.
While filming Unspoken, the crew worked in temperatures below freezing. Despite the challenges, Crane described that filming served “a really good opportunity to learn how to problem-solve with different people and persevere through those challenges together.”
Crane reflected on this year’s festival as a powerful showcase of creativity and individuality among filmmakers, all united by a shared purpose. She emphasized that, regardless of her future career path, the experience shaped her both personally and spiritually.
Crane’s biggest takeaway: the skills and character developed through these experiences lasting impact that goes far beyond the film set.
