Week six lectorials focus was on the skill of collaboration. As a media practitioner there is no role that exists in isolation. Making films, websites, advertisements, print media, all require teamwork and group input.

Trying to do things by yourself isn’t effective as no one person has all the skills needed to create a media piece. By combining the skills and knowledge of several people you can create an artefact that is superior to any that could have been created by the individuals by themselves. The sum is truly greater than the parts of the whole.

Collaboration has been something I’ve had both good and bad experiences with. I will admit I was always the pushy leader of primary and middle school projects. I believed in being in charge, and delegating the work… away from myself. I wasn’t a good leader. But as I’ve grown and had new experiences Ive learnt that sometimes its necessary for me to take a background role, to listen, and that no leader should ask of someone a task they wouldn’t be willing to take on themselves.

My greatest experiences with group collaboration have always been on the sporting field. I had a netball team I played with for two years from the time I was 12 to 14. By the end of this period we had figured out the skills and weaknesses of each of our team mates, which combination of positions would work the best and could anticipate where someone would be on the court. It was a combination of familiarity, skill, and a shared goal that led to this state of flow, and I hope that some day I am able to translate this feeling into a work setting.