I recently had the opportunity to be a fly on the wall.It was fascinating to be able to observe and listen to stories from artists so successful in their field and craft.They were as excited as children to share stories.
That’s when you know it isn’t a job.
When the success comes and you can’t stop.When it’s so damn difficult, and yet, you can’t think of anything else in the whole world you would rather do.
After the first day wrapped, I went and met up with some friends to briefly say hello. Someone else I had worked with on previous projects happened by and interjected themselves into the conversation. They said they recognized myself and the person I was sitting next to from a project we had worked on together, and shared some excitement about how it was going to be seen by a larger group then they had expected. But then, also shared how they had helped get the person in charge of that project started and now wanted nothing to do with them.
I know both parties involved. And I know that the project that the falling out was over, was literally a drop in the bucket.It was supposed to be a fun project.
One of the best lessons I’ve learned in production, that carries over into absolutely every field, is that someone is always listening.Always.
It kind of put an explanation point on my day.
A day that had started with an incredible opportunity to listen to auteurs talk about writing and storytelling. At no point would I assume that my being a part of their day would advance their careers at all. That’s absurd. I had one job to do. It was a three step job:
- Shut up.
- Do said job.
- Show up on time to repeat it all the next day.
Yet, later in the day, with a slip of the tongue, someone else was ruining their chances at advancing, even at a local level.
It didn’t make me angry to hear it.It made me sad.
Sometimes, people are just getting started.But sometimes, the bass player is the best musician in the band.If your curious about who you’re working with, it only takes a few seconds to look them up, or even better, ask them about their passions and experience.Grow your network.
No matter what you’re working on. A chance to collaborate is rarely wasted.Keep your head down. Do the job you were hired to do. Be happy to be there. Don’t waste your network. There is very little to be accomplished by proving you can do everything by yourself.Even if you can.The audience suffers because of it.
-Zeke