Waldemar Prokopowicz

From organisation to directing

In 1968 Waldemar Prokopowicz, an economics graduate, was attending postgraduate film-production organisation studies in Łódź. On The Deluge he staged background action; after completion he formally became a second director¹.

The film record lists him under directorial collaboration, crediting Włodzimierz Olszewski as second director². Prokopowicz’s account of his daily responsibilities should be distinguished from his formal credit in this film.

Extras participate in storytelling

Background performers move, react and create a community behind the principal characters. During a battle or court scene, briefly look away from the leading actor. Does the background guide attention towards an important event? Does its movement maintain continuity between shots?

These questions show why a crowd needs staging. They do not assign every particular scene to Prokopowicz without shooting reports. The production guide discusses his account of daily work and organisation before mobile phones.

Two distinct functions

Compare Prokopowicz’s work with Wilhelm Hollender’s production management. Organising resources and directing background action meet on set, but are different tasks. Their contributions help explain a crowd that can appear spontaneous on screen.