Collaboration is Alive and Well During Pandemic

In my blog last week, I provided some inspiration so that you wouldn’t get sucked into thinking that just because of the shelter-in-place order there isn’t anything to do (career-wise).  As sort of a follow-up to that, this week I’m here to report (enthusiastically) that collaboration is alive and well during the pandemic.

How many times have you heard people say that, during this what we might as well call coronavirus era, they are so thankful for the technology we have?  It’s that very same technology that is making it possible for creatives to collaborate with peers from within their city or state, sure, but even beyond.

Did you see the video that Lady Antebellum put out of their performance of “I Run to You” with all band members being in different locations?  That’s a perfect example of what you can (and should) be doing.

A client of mine, wanting to do some songwriting with others, told me that she has been doing co-writes over Facetime.  Bravo.

Perhaps you’ve been watching the “Now Hear This Entertainment” Virtual Music Series that I’ve been hosting on Instagram Live these Wednesday nights in April?  In a sense you could argue that I am collaborating with those artists to put on that event.  Moreover, in an email to last Wednesday night’s participants I said that I feel such a strong sense of camaraderie coming through that I wouldn’t be surprised if a performer ends up asking me for contact information for another performer so that they could write together.

Collaboration also means being supportive of one another and it has been so nice to see the performers complimenting one another down in the comments during the Instagram Live broadcasts.

Speaking of doing things remotely, I have a project I referenced in last week’s blog that (still fairly confidential) would be largely YouTube-based.  Just before the pandemic went into full swing and prior to the governor issuing a lockdown here in Florida, I decided to make it a collaborative effort – not just with the group that proposed the project to me, but, by bringing in a filmmaker who does a lot online.  He was able to do an on-site assessment and since then I sent him a link to the visuals for feedback for any edits that should be made before sending it off.  Two heads are better than one and some great ideas come out of collaborating with people who specialize in an area that you can stand to improve upon.

I also was happy to hear about an artist that contacted a client of mine wanting choreography help (lessons), which is a true display of collaboration because the artist had previously put my client in one of her music videos.  They’re helping each other out.  Nowhere am I talking about competition, only collaboration.

I even saw a past guest from my podcast putting out a call for different parts (drums, bass, strings/fiddle/violin) for a couple tracks he had done vocals and guitar only on and was inviting others to collaborate with him on.

Don’t put limits on yourself, especially thinking, “But this pandemic won’t allow me to get out and collaborate with others.”  Challenge yourself to partner up with someone else and make something great.

What kind of collaborations have you been involved with lately?  Share those stories with others in our Facebook group!