Making a stellar video out of scratch will most of the time need the input of more than one person. Can a single videographer create a video? Sure. But working with a team can maximise both creative and work input.
At Pluggas, we’ve always decided that it’s best to work with a team. One video project can have as many as five people giving inputs or sometimes even more if the project is a big one. Working with others not only brings the best out of the project. It also brings the best out of each other.
But collaboration can sometimes be a struggle. When we work with teams, ideas can sometimes clash and distribution of work load may not always be ideal. It takes chemistry to get a proper team together. That takes a lot of time, resources and energy.
Here are five ways that video teams can collaborate better when working together.
1. Set goals
A team’s ability to set goals and focus on them will make or break collaboration. When it’s clear where we are going and how we want to get there, we move as one unit. In the same way, video teams must be clear on goals before starting a partnership, project or even task.
2. Job specialise
A team will always have a leader. But, the leader doesn’t always have to be on top of everything. Proper teamwork calls for job specialisation. In our video teams, it’s always best to assign tasks to people based on their strengths and capabilities.
3. Always be open to feedback
Getting comments and feedback is an endless process when working with a team. Why? Because there’s always room to grow. We can ask for feedback on an output, workflow, idea, storyboard or equipment choice. When we do, we will always make the best option when we look at the ideas of others. It’s when members feel free to express opinions that we draw out the best out of each other.
4. Communicate with team members endlessly
In team dynamics, there’s no such thing as over-communication. If we want to grow as teams, we need to communicate as often and as repetitively as possible. That’s why it’s good practice to always have meetings before we start anything.
5. Stick it out
Great teamwork doesn’t happen overnight. It takes a lot of effort to get a team chemistry going. That’s why teams have to learn to stick to the team for a long period sometimes even before seeing favourable results. When we persevere and continue to adjust with one another, we grow better and better both as individuals and as a team.
