How do you bring people together without bringing people together?
Virtually. The issue with using the word virtual is that it suggests some form of compromise. In fact we have all been going virtual for decades, and enjoying the experience. Movies, radio, phone calls, television and, (remember?) the written posted letter are all methods where we feel like we are together with people without being physically together.
The role of the Producer is to make that virtual method (eg a movie) appropriate and effective. For a movie for example, the producer finds and finalises the script, oversees choice of the key actors, and engages a team of technicians and other creatives with the sole aim of engaging us, the audience in the story and the characters. The producer provides us the permission to suspend “belief” so that we are there, physically responding in the film.
As part of the Government’s Innovation in Business initiative, we have been asked to be the producer for 3 business excellence Forums, simulcast across 3 regions – bringing people together without having to bring them together! The audience at each forum will be able to see and interact with business leaders from other regions, getting insights and learnings from business achievers who would otherwise not be accessible “in person”.
Our role is to design the event so that people are entirely engaged with the business leaders, wherever the are located. We have selected the team of technicians and creatives and chosen the method of delivery – the software and audio visual tools – so that people feel like the business leaders at the remote locations are really there.
Our role as producer, is to coach and support the hosts, the interviewers and the technicians in engaging people who are not there, with the sole goal of bringing insight and value to the attendee, in a way that was not otherwise possible. Virtual – yes – without compromise.