Behind every captivating film or commercial lies a production office that quietly holds the entire operation together. While the limelight often shines on directors, actors, and cinematographers, professionals like Kewen Soares dos Santos work behind the scenes to ensure that creative visions actually make it to the screen—on time, on budget, and in one piece.

With experience ranging from short films to features and commercials, Soares dos Santos has established a reputation for precision, adaptability, and a deeply collaborative mindset. Drawing on his prior experience, his role often defies an easy description, in part because many of the most vital tasks he performs go unnoticed by those outside the production world.

Soares dos Santos is quick to emphasize the importance of starting with the creative core. “Right from day one,” he says, “I always start by meeting with the director to break down the script and really understand their vision.” For him, the job of coordination is not just logistical—it’s interpretive. Once that vision is clear, he begins building the operational scaffolding: budgeting, staffing, workflows, and systems.

That clarity early on has proven to be essential. “My job is to make sure we’ve got the people, tools, and structure to bring it to life,” he explains. This approach reflects a philosophy that production coordination is fundamentally about enabling other departments to do their best work.

Communication Over Everything

While film sets are known for their high-pressure environments, Soares dos Santos credits overcommunication as one of the simplest yet most powerful tools in a coordinator’s arsenal. He learned this lesson firsthand while working on Lake Jesup, when a critical location nearly fell through due to a miscommunication. “Thankfully, we cleared things up quickly with the owner, and everything stayed on track. But that experience showed me how important it is to give too much information rather than too little.”

This ethic of transparency threads through all of his work. Whether it’s a small crew on a short or a larger operation for a feature, the format doesn’t alter his methods so much as the scale does. “The core skills and approach stay the same,” he says. “No matter the size, the organization and workflow need to be solid.”

The Rhythm of Set Life

Once production is underway, Soares dos Santos describes his daily rhythm with a calm familiarity. Mornings begin with department check-ins to troubleshoot potential issues and ensure everyone has what they need. “Once the cameras roll,” he notes, “it’s about trusting the team, supporting them, and making sure they have everything they need to bring the vision to life.” And while others might start to exhale once filming begins, he’s already thinking ahead to the next day.

His approach underscores a core principle of production work: smooth execution on set is the result of meticulous preparation beforehand.

Tools of the Trade

While his toolkit is still evolving, Soares dos Santos returns time and again to a dependable foundation: Excel. “I use it for budgeting, planning, and even my personal finances,” he admits. He also relies on file-sharing platforms like Dropbox and Google Drive, and is beginning to explore tools like Wrapbook for payroll—demonstrating a willingness to grow his skill set as projects demand.

Advice for the Next Generation

For those entering the industry for the first time, his advice is practical and grounded: know where you want to go, stay organized, and be proactive. “Ask questions, try new things, and also know when it’s time to take a break,” he cautions. Film sets can be intense, and maintaining mental and physical well-being is crucial.

But perhaps the most enduring piece of wisdom he offers is about the power of relationships. “It may seem like a huge industry, but it is honestly a small world, and most jobs come from who you know,” he says. “So making friends really matters.”

A Quiet, Steady Force

Kewen Soares dos Santos might not be a household name, but his work is essential to the finished products audiences see. With a clear-eyed view of both the artistic and logistical sides of filmmaking, he exemplifies the kind of leadership and behind-the-scenes rigor that make creative dreams operationally possible. In a business where chaos is often just a phone call away, Soares dos Santos provides something rare: structure, consistency, and trust.

‍