My Lucky Takeaways from Working On a Scorsese Set

By Jeff Fisher

Grace Under Pressure: The Scorsese Standard

Starting as a production assistant and later the Video Assist on Martin Scorsese's "Cape Fear" and working my way up to directing studio films wasn't just about learning technical skills—it was about understanding people, energy, and the art of trusting your instincts. After decades in this business, from reality TV shenanigans to Blue-Sky Hallmark films, I've learned that your gut might be the most important tool in your director's toolkit.

"Cape Fear" ended up going a bit over schedule—I belive it was slated for 65 days, but the houseboat sequences took longer than expected. Watching Martin Scorsese, Robert De Niro, and those industry professionals navigate challenges with grace and class gave me something to aspire to. When things got stressful, they didn't panic or blame others. They maintained their professionalism and found solutions.

This lesson would prove invaluable throughout my career, but I didn't fully appreciate it until my next stop as an assistant at the IICM talent agency in Los Angeles.

The Real Stars vs. The Wannabes

At ICM, I was surrounded by genuine movie stars: Julia Roberts, Michelle Pfeiffer, Goldie Hawn, Denzel Washington, Mel Gibson, Richard Gere. These were huge names at the height of their power. But here's what struck me: when a young actor who was number six on the call sheet for a WB show would call and throw tantrums, I'd think back to De Niro's kindness and respect toward everyone around him during stressful moments on "Cape Fear."

The contrast was stark. If De Niro could show that level of grace under real pressure, maybe these lesser-known actors should model that behavior instead—because throwing tantrums wasn't going to win them any new fans or advance their careers.

Creating the Perfect Dinner Party

Joel Schumacher once said he treated his sets like hosting a great dinner party, carefully selecting the right mix of guests. I've adopted this philosophy completely. Whether I'm working with more established stars (think Kaley Cuoco, Paul Wesley, Leighton Meester) reality personalities who have gone on to acting roles (Paris Hilton, Nicole Richie, Kim Kardashian) or stars on the rise , I'm always clocking people's energy alongside their talent.

The goal is putting together the best mix to create not just the best project, but the best experience for everyone involved. A talented actor who brings negative energy can poison the entire production. Meanwhile, someone with great energy and still great skills can elevate everyone around them.

Reading the Room (and the Audition)

When I'm casting, it often comes down to a numbers game combined with intuition. When the right actor becomes a possibility—either through what they bring to the audition material or based on their reel and our casual meeting—we get a sense of each other and how we'd work together. It's like any human interaction: you have to trust your feelings.

I only have my gut to go with, but I've learned to trust it. Sometimes an actor might have the perfect look or impressive credits, but something feels off. Other times, someone unexpected walks in and just feels right for the role and the production.

The Inner Voice You Can't Ignore

This brings me to the most important lesson I've learned across my journey from "Cape Fear" to my current film "The Stranger in My Home": you have to listen to your inner voice, as scary as that sometimes is.

If something is telling you it's the right fit—whether it's an actor, a project, or a creative decision—trust it and fight for it. Conversely, if you have real reservations that you're trying to ignore, take another look at them. Your gut can be your best friend, and learning to trust it can help you make the best project (and filmic dinner party) possible.

The Courage to Trust Yourself

For aspiring directors navigating this business, this might be the most valuable advice I can offer. The industry will throw countless opinions, pressures, and "safe" choices at you. Agents, producers, and executives all have their agendas. But at the end of the day, you're the one who has to live with the creative decisions and work with the people you choose.

From watching Scorsese maintain his vision under pressure to seeing De Niro treat everyone with respect regardless of circumstances, I learned that true professionals trust their instincts while remaining open to collaboration. They don't make decisions based on fear or external pressure—they make them based on what serves the story and the production.

Building Your Instinct Muscle

Like any skill, trusting your gut gets better with practice. After directing everything from reality TV hits to major studio features, I've learned to recognize when something feels right versus when I'm trying to talk myself into a decision.

Your instincts are built from every experience, every person you meet, and every project you complete. The more you honor them, the stronger they become. The more you ignore them, the harder it becomes to hear that inner voice when you really need it.

Whether you're dealing with a broken snow machine for a Christmas movie being shot in August or choosing between two equally talented actors, remember: your gut has been watching, learning, and absorbing lessons from every moment of your career. Trust it.

Jeff Fisher is a director and writer whose credits include Paramount Pictures' "The Stranger in My Home" and "The Image of You," Hallmark's highest-rated film "My Christmas Love," and reality hits spanning from "The Simple Life" to "Keeping Up With The Kardashians." Visit www.reeltalkwithjeff.com for more industry insights.