What is collaboration and why is it so important? In the entertainment and arts industry, much of our work is a daily collaborative effort. In these moments we often find ourselves partnering with consistent team members that we have an established rapport and work history with. Other times we are expected to work with strangers with a mutual goal. But how do we accomplish this goal? Does everyone involved share the same priorities surrounding this goal? As with any healthy relationship, a line of trust must be established. Trust in your fellow collaborator to lead while you follow and vice versa. Listening and communicating are what grease the wheels in any team effort. Allowing yourself and those you are joining forces with a space to be vulnerable through the creative process is key when finding that golden idea. But first, we need to allow ourselves to flush the ideas that may have been good but weren't necessarily the right fit. One idea can lead to another, hence "bouncing ideas off each other". Open-mindedness is where we build our foundation of thoughts that lead to our goal. In live entertainment, this process is often accelerated as we are usually met with strict deadlines that require immediate action. There are also moments where we are creatively thinking that do not require us to put out fires or save the day. Regardless of the situation you find yourself in, mutual respect with those you are working with is a must. In addition, it is in our best interest to control our emotions and not take offense if our idea is not the one picked to save the day. Is that easy? NO! Our creativity stems from our imagination mixed with past experiences, knowledge, and education. We are naturally protective of our creative thoughts as they are a part of us. This is where our level of professionalism comes in to trust that the ideas and thoughts our fellow collaborators contribute have the right intentions with the best interest of our project in mind. I believe a prime attribute a fellow collaborator can bring to the table is a different perspective.
This past summer I was met with a situation on a tour where I needed assistance that went beyond my one-person department. The venue that was open and willing to help me listened to the needs and structure I required to fulfill my goal. In return, they provided feedback as well as alternatives to assist in the planning process. We were able to put our thoughts together to find a solution. We reached our goal through mutual efforts. It was a win for all parties involved! Shout out to our friends at Live Nation Entertainment in Raleigh, NC with Makenna Hannam at the helm for their hard work and dedication to serving the fans! I hope to come back and work with this team again soon!
