What to make of independence and creative vision in the entertainment industry

The development of a successful team requires vision guided by obtainable goals.  As such a team is required to carefully choose its comfort zone when determining the scope of that vision.
This requires careful planning.  But is this all that makes a successful management team?  In my opinion this viewpoint is somewhat limited in that it suggests 'limiting' risk based on current trends in the entertainment industry.  DreamWorks is certainly not a project that lacked vision.  In addition it managed to court the finest talent in the industry.  More important these individuals joined the team in part on the promise of creative license and future visions.  That DreamWorks is currently experiencing 'bad press' creates a unique opportunity to examine why this company continues to attract the best talent and employee loyalty.  This blog will hopefully consider why this notion of extraordinary vision in an industry that has been touted by financial forecasters as dangerous waters for investors.  Put simply why does this extraordinary company and companies like them continue to create teams where individuals share a personal and professional vision when they could easily navigate to the the larger companies more or less assuring better salaries and stability?  The following is an overview of my thoughts on current events regarding DreamWorks, SKG struggle to remain unique and independent of current industry trends.  Further it hopes to create a discussion of team dynamic in its various manifestations.

I recall a famous rap performer once discussing his business strategy back in the early 90’s.  He essentially developed a label promoting himself and other artists on an independent label.  Once his project achieved a degree of notoriety he would then essentially sell to a larger label while negotiating for a part of future profits.  Then he would recreate the same methodology creating a new independent label that would for all practical purposes be in competition with the very same label he just sold.  He repeated this process several times and was very successful.  Putting aside the legal issues regarding agreements that stipulate competitive clauses built into such agreements this blog will consider the advantages and disadvantages of such a strategy. 

I have chosen Dreamworks, SKG (DW) for the subject of this blog in regards to its continuing struggle to maintain its independence.  DreamWorks has received much criticism from the media and, perhaps more importantly, powerful and influential financial forecasters. 

In a New York Times article dated July 10, 2010 BROOKS BARNES and MICHAEL CIEPLY write the following:

·      “Unlike bigger studios, which hedge bets by releasing a dozen or more films a year, one DreamWorks Animation flop could send the company’s stock into a tailspin. The company’s most successful franchise, Shrek, is finally fading into the sunset, at least at the multiplex. At the same time, rivals are racing to move deeper into animation.” (Source:  https://mail.google.com/mail/?shva=1#inbox/12d6ce6351ee81ed retrieved January 9, 2011).

This quotation points out those independent operations run a greater financial risk than “bigger studios.”  Additionally, it suggests that an independent operation running on past successes such as Shrek need to focus on newer projects that achieve a similar or greater level of success.  But are we to simply dismiss DreamWorks because it has not yet achieved such success?  I think not.  Why?  Because this is an industry based on creative vision and imagination that simply cannot and should not be based on ‘numbers.’  Granted financial success is to be admired and sought after.  However, creative vision is not always an ‘epiphany’ moment that can be duplicated at will.  Fact is folks it takes time.

I recently completed a lyric to a song that has been in gestation for some ten years or so.  My vision of a cabaret-based project that makes use of technology in its myriad forms and in craft is only now taking on a solid and practical ‘corporate form.’

Like that rap artist whose vision translated into financial success in a time that seems to have passed us by the notion of independence in the process of creation is essential to sustaining and transcending the creative spirit.  And so I suggest we must carefully consider financial prophets preaching the apocalypse of independents.  More to the point I would suggest that the lifeblood of the entertainment industry lies in the courage and vision of these brave souls faced with the Machiavellian notions of those armed with calculators and Wall Street charts. 

My career goal includes working with such visionary studios as DreamWorks.  I am reminded of United Artist that ultimately facing mounting debt was compelled to sell to the highest bidder.  United Artists, like DreamWorks, provides the hope and inspiration of all of us who look to our futures.  Perhaps the spirit of independence does all not guide us.  But let us not forget that the desire to create and share our vision with the multitude remains significant and essential to improving and expanding the quality and positive message of all our endeavors.

I will follow in this blog the media (including the financial pages) with great interest and strive to read between the lines.  If this introduction has peeked your interest providing food for thought then I have already succeeded.  Your posts will be read carefully and hope that I can be of benefit to all in realizing their own personal and professional success.