Kaiser Permanente Shoot - Eve's Lime Productions

I have been an entrepreneur for twenty years.  When I decided to start Eve’s Lime, I had this revolutionary idea that I want to enjoy my work.    So I developed a collaborative production model that allows me to do exactly that.  

This collaborative model is a philosophy that lays the groundwork for how the work gets done, how I interface with my clients, and it is a methodology for creating real stories with authentic voices.

I’ve been talking about my collaborative production model for a couple of years now.  And I’ve noticed recently other folks are out there using the term ‘collaborative’ to describe work environments that are in no way honoring a collaborative process.  I know this because I’ve worked in some on those "so-called" collaborative environments.

Myths about what collaboration actually means:

Myth #1:  Collaboration has nothing to do with money.  It’s not a way to find cheap labor.  With the current economy people are looking to collaboration as a means to save money.  Collaboration is not opportunistic.  It’s synergistic.

Myth #2: Collaboration has nothing to do with Sacrifice.  “We must all sacrifice our vision for the greater good. . . blah, blah, blah.”  Collaboration is not an exercise in compromise. 

Myth #3: Collaboration is not about power.  Everyone is equally valued because they bring something very essential for the completion of the project. Successful collaboration requires respect and valuing of what everyone brings to the table.  No one is marginalized in a collaborative model.

Collaboration is accessible space - which means it’s an open system, not a closed container.  This means you have the opportunity to get exactly what you need to create your best work.  You can accomplish anything with the right combination of collaborators!  So successful team-building is essential. 

There’s a special energy that comes forth on a production/set where the team has synergy.  There are many things to consider when hiring crew.  I use the following short list to weed out those who are absolutely not a good fit.

What a Viable Collaborator is Not:

-         A viable collaborator is not simply the person who will work for the least compensation or for free.

-         A viable collaborator absolutely does not include people who think they’re deigning to do you a huge favor (must be win-win)

A Viable Collaborator is:

1. Someone with whom you can create a win-win scenario.  
2. Willingly brings the skills or resources you need
3. Passionate about the project
4. Committed to the project’s success

Without these elements the work will ultimately generate varied degrees of drama and become more challenging and less enjoyable.

This Collaborative Model is humanistic.  Film production, in particular impacts the environment that it takes place in.  So it’s important to me that Eve’s Lime takes the community and the physical environment into consideration.  On my last shoot we talked to the people who lived near the location to find out their concerns about our presence there in the neighborhood, and were able to address their issues.  We carpooled, to reduce our carbon imprint as well as to reduce our impact on the neighborhood; and we donated left-over food and unused props. 

Collaborative Production is sustainable.  This means we maintain a balance between what we take what we give back.   That way we can have longevity in the work we do, as well as an impact that goes beyond our original circle of collaborators.

As I said before, “With the right combination of collaborators, you can accomplish anything.”

“Just as a diamond can only be polished by another diamond, it is only through genuine all-out engagement with others that people can polish their character, and help each other to reach greater heights.” 

I share this information because I want to see more people enjoy their work. I hope you will all continue to find ways to enjoy your work and to create value.