What’s the most relevant business and/or creative lesson you learned in 2020 and how will you apply it to 2021?
Real partnerships reign supreme, especially during down or COVID times like these. We really struggle without them. Like any marriage, an understanding of the process and a mutual respect for the process are big keys to success. To this end, we will continue to define and refine our methodology when it comes to improving quality and accessibility to our services. We see the continued implementation, monitoring and improvement of our process as it relates to quality as vital.
Gazing into your crystal ball, what do you envision for the industry--creatively speaking or from a business standpoint--in 2021?
A crystal ball is a nice, perhaps even a romantic notion but one that is perhaps a little uninspiring. If we all knew what was waiting for us down the road, how boring (lazy) do you think work and life would be? Imagination and/or evolution on the other hand is a wildly exciting space. Imagine a world of exploration, evolution, quality, craftsmanship and fun. Imagine a more efficient world when it comes to partnerships between brands, agencies and high-level makers.
What are your goals, creatively speaking and/or from a business standpoint, for your company, division, studio or network in 2021?
Assuming that improving the relationship between brands and their consumers is a value add then this will remain a big goal for us. We will continue our mission of helping brands close the gap between data, craftsmanship and delivery in the most creatively and cost-efficient ways.
Tell us about one current project you are working on for early 2021.
Without giving too much away, we’re in the middle of a 360-degree product launch that has us capturing and delivering (post) elements for all channels and brand touch points in one comprehensive shoot. While this type of relationship takes great understanding and trust, it results in all kinds of efficiencies when it comes to cost, time/speed and the top-shelf production value required to put the brand on the next level (quality). It’s important to note that the AOR (not WoodShop) is still the creative lead and we collaborate with everyone to take the collective vision and make it better. This type of relationship and vision has all the makings of a beautiful partnership.
How did your company, agency, network, service or studio adjust/adapt to the marketplace in 2020 (new strategies, resources, technology, health/safety expertise) and what of all that bodes well for 2021?
March was a gut shot on a lot levels. In the early days, we managed to pivot straight away and take a lot of our slated live-action jobs and transition them to post jobs almost seamlessly. Over the next few months, we were fortunate to be able to leverage both our facility/stage and the working relationship we have with our crew; thanks to these long-term relationships we had their trust. As a result, we were quick to adapt and institute all requisite safety protocols, and continue to do so on what feels like a daily basis. Our agency partners and our crew were willing to go back to work as soon as we were given the green light. In this sense, we were both lucky and grateful.
What’s your New Year’s resolution, creatively speaking or from a business standpoint, for your agency, department or company?
Survive 2021!