The shoot was notably difficult between Nureyev and Phillips, who clashed on set over their approaches to the material. Nureyev, who esteemed the discipline required of dance, felt that Phillips's "relaxed and free-wheeling approach" to acting was too unrestrained. After filming was completed, Nureyev openly admitted, "I found it difficult to adjust to playing opposite her." Nureyev made a similar observation of Russell's directing style, which he characterized as "guiding rather than imposing... He imposes his wavelength on the people who are working with him and then taps their ideas," though he spoke favorably of Russell, describing him as considerate and open to ideas in spite of his meticulous nature. The film's assistant director, Jonathan Benson, noted that while Russell and Nureyev "both behaved very professionally, they didn't get close; Russell was never comfortable with him." Phillips admired Russell's free-form directing style, commenting: "He's extremely creative. He inspires you. You aren't locked up in the dialogue or script, he's always willing to talk about it."