Josep Von Sternberg was a renowned Austrian-American film director.
In 1925 he directed his first film THE SALVATION HUNTERS, which is considered as the first American Independent film.
In 1930, he was invited to Berlin to direct a film featuring world-famous German actor Emil Jannings.
Being previously worked with Jannings, he knew that the actor was talented but was also a highly
disruptive person.
Jannings would do everything to disturb the flow of production.
He would throw his stupid ideas towards the director and other unit members.
These poking would soon turn into an unhealthy argument, and directors had to kneel
down before him or leave the project.
But Sternberg was a man of discipline.
The only thing mattered to him was successful completion of the film.
So he devised a strategy.
He prepared himself for the games that Jannings will play.
Jannings demanded that the director should visit his dressing room every morning to see how
interested he is in this movie. Sternberg did this without any complaints.
Jannings demanded that the director should take him on free lunch and hear his ideas. Sternberg
agreed and heard all his ideas patiently.
Whenever Sternberg showed any affectionate towards other actors, Jannings would spark a jealous
fit.
So he became extra affectionate towards Jannings.
Jannings assumed that everything is under his control.
But he was wrong.
Sternberg was only playing his mind games.
When Jannings delivered his dialogues in an unnecessary high pitch tone, instead of correcting him,
Sternberg congratulated him for his tone by saying that he is the only person in the film to talk like
that.
Fearing that this will make him out of the league, he will quickly drop his tone to normal.
Sternberg would torch the hottest set light on the back of Jannings neck whenever he refused (for no
reason) to pass through a certain door to make his entrance into the scene.
This would make Jannings uncomfortable and he would pass through the door quietly.
Whenever Jannings refused to come out of his dressing room, a word would be spread that the
director is bestowing attention on other actors.
On hearing this, Jannings would become jealous and will immediately come out of his dressing
room.
Throughout the shooting, Sternberg used the useless tantrums of Jannings against him.
Without any arguments or explanation, he made Jannings to do what he desired.
And Jannings assuming that everything is in his control gave the best performance of his life.
The movie was complete without any disruption.
It became the blockbuster of that era.
The movie was THE BLUE ANGEL.
Everyone faces disruptive behavior from their colleagues, bosses, partners and family members.
The best way to deal is to keep calm and focus on achieving the end result.
Just like Sternberg had done with Jannings and crafted a masterpiece.
A bit of creativity can solve all the problems.
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