Category Archives: Process

More Collaboration Please

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There is light at the top of the climb.

Don’t worry.  There is light at the top of the climb.

I work with independent creative minds.  Most days, it’s a blessing. Other times, a curse.  Think about all the flavors you would need to combine when trying to come up with a next new flavor.  When it works, it feels like it happened relatively easy.  And when it tastes like crap or isn’t happening or you’re at it alone – again, you wonder ‘Why is this so difficult?”

All of us have a slightly different definition of Collaboration. I like the Merriam-Webster added value of “Especially in an intellectual endeavor.”  But what is it?

This would be a good place for that “I don’t know how to explain it but I know it when I see it” line but I’ll refrain.  Truth is, you have already experienced some sort of collaboration in your lifetime.  The questions are:  Did you even notice?  Was it good?  Do you love it?  Are you now addicted?  I know I am.

Collaboration for me is working on a film set or brainstorming with writers or working out the perfect location for a photograph.   Within my business, when it works well, I call it Production Nirvana. If this genuinely raw, exhilarating collaboration happens to you – trust me, you will indeed want more – and soon.

Surrounding yourself with true collaborators can be challenging.  If you work within a non-creative environment it can be non-existent.  If you think a staff meeting to review the weekly plan or to get caught up with the latest greatest work news and half of the people in the room would rather be checking their social network status (and they are) – then that is not collaborating.

Me?  I’ve had it but I am hungry as hell for more of it.  If you want to make creative motion pictures within a collaborative environment – I would love to hear from you.

You?  Well if you have already tasted it, you know.  If you have not, it might take a bit of hard work to get there.  But try.  Climb the steps.  And I dare you to do it just once.

Definitions

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The switches and valves of a locomotive.

What if you woke up one day and everything you knew about what you do for a living – was different?

The physical, tangible things that you know have just been renamed.  The services you use for work life support now mean and do something else.  As part of a team or crew, your tasks have now changed too.  Everything in the business you’ve always known has a new name – and definition.

As a working professional within the production of commercial images, and some days struggling to find the best match of projects, career equity, and a moderate income – this question provides an aim toward the location of the answers.  Yes, this post is a tad subjective to marketplace and position.  Some of you may be so busy, you couldn’t give a flying.  If you’re stupid busy, you’re not reading this.

Most businesses experience change in their lifetimes and you need to adapt with them. But with our industry as a paradigm having been so altered, many of the people, titles, processes, paperwork, tools, and technology – dressed as latest-greatest meets previously-used hybrids – have become unrecognizable.  Theories aplenty are spewed daily about how the creative industry can be better and how we can ALL thrive – not just survive.  Some colleagues retort of the obvious missed basics of business.

  • “If your product is good, people will pay.” 
  • “If your process is smooth, clients will return.” 
  • “Build value.” 
  • “Provide a return on investment.”

I agree with all of these practices in an industry where the buyer knows the definition of these things.  But in a business cycle of good-enough, project award decision-making is reflecting nepotism, and best lowest price;  skills, experience, craft (?), mindset, and client services are rarely part of that conversation.

It wasn’t always like this.

I try to remain idealistic about the latter elements still hanging on and in some circles, still being required.  Yet I continue to experience their decline and disinterest on new projects.  I speak of the basics of loyalty, communication, being on time.  Perhaps some of the big picture answers are located near the fact that standard operating procedures in our industry were never ever – defined.

Your thoughts?

Photos / words are COPYRIGHT Jamie Vesay 2012-2013  USE OF ANY material requires permission.