Notes on the Collaborative Art Process!

These are tips for maximum success when creating art as a team!

One of the important facets of artistic creation is the collaborative environment. Everyone must gain the important skill of being able to work with others!  It gives you new points of view for problem solving, and a chance to work on something much larger than an individual could produce in that time. Learn from each other, be willing to teach when necessary, and make something awesome! I believe in all of you! 

Here are some tips to make the collaborative process easier and more enjoyable. Begin reviewing the following information and we will discuss on  Monday!

1. Allocate responsibilities!

Every member is good at something. Spending 30 minutes in the beginning making a list of what everyone is good at, will help the group succeed in the long run!

2. GET THAT CONTACT INFORMATION, and Check in every two days as a group with progress updates!

You should not tackle this assignment with an “everyone do their part, we’ll put it together in the end” attitude.  Instead, create a list of small, objective-based goals that will help you see your project through to the end!
Check in does not have to be in person. It can be over facebook in a group, through skype, or an email chain! (Hitting reply all in an email will save your life!) Either way, get those digits! Communicate!

3. Create a schedule!

Design a timeline that has, at minimum the following milestones!

1. Story finalized! (do you need a script written? it may help!)
2. Vocals recorded!
3. Music begins production!
4. All sound recorded!
5. All sound effects created!
6. Music is completed and ready to test!
7. Audio mixing begins!
8. In-Progress Track is fully mixed and ready to test!
9. Final mixing is completed and ready to test!
10. Music is revised!
11. Final adjustments complete!

Those are clear objectives that help you make artwork within a group setting. Any large jobs should be broken up into smaller, easily digestible jobs.  To help you better function, be willing to help someone with one part of their work with the added notion that that person helps you with your work as well!

4. Brainstorm ideas!  

Go one by one, across the entire group 4 or 5 times.  Pick a person to take notes, and write down every idea everyone has first!  Ask each other why the idea came to mind, and what quality scenarios could be made from the idea.  (The question mentioned just now is what you call an OBJECTIVE question. It gets you thinking in terms of specific goals, and not open-ended thoughts that often end with everyone going "I don't know...")

Sift through each idea with pro and cons lists and see what sticks from each idea! Find a way to incorporate something that everyone likes to create a piece that is greater than the sum of it’s parts!

5. Take turns leading and following when working together!  

If you have an idea, be willing to share it! But make note that you may be working with someone in your group who is usually more on the quiet side. Because of this, be willing to periodically ask the members of your group one of these simple questions:

"What do you think?  How can we get this done?  Do you think there is a better way?  What would you do differently?"

This encourages group participation and encourages critical thinking on all ends of the process! Remember we are all banding together as a team to learn something new!

6. The goal of collaborative art making is twofold: Make incredible art, and have a good time doing it.  

Follow the steps above to make the experience an enjoyable one!

7. Clear Objectives 2:

Be sure to have a goal for all class periods! Someone should take notes of all ideas mentioned.

8. COMMUNICATE!

Before you do anything else, make a list of everyone’s contact information. Emails, phone numbers, instant messengers, and even Facebook addresses if need be.  Once you have an idea you’re happy with, you need to make time during the week to meet together to make epic sound projects!

If you find that you’re having problems, nip it in the bud and talk it out early!  Be cordial, and try to avoid hostile language.  Be mindful that your idea of natural speaking patterns may not be the same as someone’s else. If you make controversial jokes, like to use excessive four-letter language or the like, make sure everyone else in your group is cool with it.  Yes, we're an art school, but you never know. It’s better to check early.

If you often have medical issues, or something unavoidable that you feel may cause you to leave from a collaborative session early, talk with everyone ahead of time.  The best thing you can do is communicate!

Make note of email chains! Start an ongoing conversation with your group mates and make use of the "Reply All" button!

UTILIZE facebook or skype for group conversation when not in class!

If you find that you have a dispute and you need a mediator outside your group, that is what I am here for. Let me know of the problem early, before it becomes much larger! (note: if you feel like you're on the verge of speaking with hostility and a few 4 letter words, stop, take a breather, and come back to the situation when you've calmed down.)

9.  Find each other's strengths!

Everyone, EVERYONE, is good at something.  And part of the collaborative process is finding out what someone else can do, that is done much better than you!  Being open and honest about this makes it easier for you to learn new strategies for alleviating your greatest weaknesses, while helping someone else do the same!  Be open, ask questions, and be willing to ask each other about processes you have yet to try!

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One of the important facets of artistic creation is the collaborative environment. Everyone must gain the important skill of being able to work with others!  It gives you new points of view for problem solving, and a chance to work on something much larger than an individual could produce in that time. Learn from each other, be willing to teach when necessary, and make something awesome!