Communication makes the world go round. Without it, we wouldn’t be able to connect with others, which would disrupt every aspect of our daily lives. The workplace, and the production process, also depend heavily on communication. Let’s review the best ways to keep your communication strong, so you can have the best production possible!
Understand Communication Methods
There are four main types of communication: verbal, nonverbal, written, and visual. Verbal is what most of us imagine when we think of communication. It is anything signed or said between people. Nonverbal communication usually accompanies verbal communication, as nonverbal communication includes body language and facial expressions.
Written communication can be anything from emails to text messages to documents. Similarly, visual communication varies from presentations to storyboards to videos. Frequently, written and visual communication with be combined, as they both add context to the other’s message.
Once you understand the four types of communication, you are ready to practice them. In order to communicate effectively, you should follow the 5 C’s of communication. To be most effective, your communication must be clear, concise, complete, curious, and compassionate.
Clear communication is exactly how it sounds: direct and easy to understand. When you communicate concisely, you remove any fluff from your conversation. Your words will be focused on facts or the most important information. Likewise, complete communication provides all the details the listener needs to know.
Curious communication is particularly important when you’re working with others. Never be afraid to ask clarifying questions or to ask for more details. People will feel heard if they can see you are invested in the conversation. People also feel heard when your words are compassionate. Lead with empathy in every conversation, whether serious or lighthearted. When people feel respected and validated, they will be full participants in a conversation. That's part of why the project we did with Bose was so successful. Moreover, everyone will get the most out of their time together. Talk about efficiency!
Keep it Relevant
Similar to the third “C” of communication (complete), all communication about work must focus on relevance. Throughout the production process, communication keeps everyone on the same page. This shared vision can only be seen by everyone if your communication conveys all the necessary information.
For example, everyone on the crew needs to be knowledgeable about things like the script, shot list, location, schedule, and talent. When they understand the core aspects of the production, everyone will work more efficiently, saving you time and money!
Moreover, when people understand the project well, it is easier to set clear roles and responsibilities. Add to that clear goals and expectations, and your communication will transform your team into their best selves. Everyone will not only be working toward the same goal, but they will also be aware of how they contribute to it.
At the end of the day, production is about teamwork. It can be easy to focus only on discussing what needs to be done and providing feedback to make sure things are done right. However, you should never forget to show appreciation. A simple comment on someone’s hard work or good idea goes a long way for team morale. Don’t be afraid to use your communication for both productivity and positivity!
Collaborate
Speaking of productivity and positivity, the strongest communicators are collaborators. Collaborative communication is open and honest, which encourages others to contribute their thoughts and ask questions. People feel comfortable sharing, which means you’ll get the most out of the conversation every single time!
To improve collaboration, don’t be afraid to utilize icebreakers or team-building exercises in your workplace communication. Even a quick round of introductions on set can go a long way! People will feel more relaxed, increasing the positive energy during the production. Moreover, everyone will be more trusting, which means that any hurdles you face will be resolved quickly. Nothing is more important than that!
Choose the Right Channel
When you put in the work to be concise and clear in your communication, you don’t want to lose meaning by using the wrong method of communication. If you customize your mode of communication to the purpose of your message, you’ll be most effective.
For example, if you need to send a long document, such as a call sheet or a contract, it will be best received via email. In an email, people can review the file in its entirety and know that this is important information. On the other hand, if items aren’t as urgent, it may be best to send a message via text or Slack. Everyone will still see it, but they will understand that other forms of communication may need to be addressed first.
If you need to connect with someone immediately, it’s time to pick up the phone. You don’t have to wait for someone to check their email inbox to get to your question or request. Instead, you’ll be able to speak with them in real time, so both of you can avoid delays.
In production, the value of visual communication should never be underestimated. Using photos, videos, or presentations are the best way to specify a creative vision for a project. Even if you are simply sharing videos of a location scout, you are optimizing communication in the workplace.
Last but not least, there are times when in-person communication is the most appropriate. During collaboration sessions, ideas can develop faster and more creatively if you can work together side-by-side (either virtually or physically). On the other hand, in-person communication is also best for conflict resolution. This way, no tones will be misinterpreted, avoiding miscommunication and further issues.
Learn to Listen
Related to all communication is listening. Whether your resolving conflict or hearing someone else’s ideas, you should use active listening. Active listening means that, rather than multitasking, you are completely focused on what the other person is saying to you. This ensures that people feel heard and that you are able to understand them accurately.
Active listening is especially important in conflict resolution and feedback sessions. For conflict resolution, problems are best fixed when all needs are expressed and understood. This is only possible if people let their guards down and avoid defensiveness.
Similarly, feedback is easiest to implement when you comprehend it fully. Rather than thinking of your reply while the other person is speaking, you focus your energy into listening. When it is your turn to speak, you’ll be better equipped to solve the problem or improve your performance because you actually know what they’re saying!
Benefits of Strong Communication
As you can tell, communication affects every aspect of the production process, from the pre-planning stages to the final edit. Without strong communication, you can’t have a strong team. This means that, without strong communication, you can’t have a strong campaign.
When your communication is effective, your team is effective. Decisions are made quicker. Moreover, everyone’s decisions are well-informed. Fewer mistakes will be made, and there will be little confusion. Essentially, consistently clear communication leads to consistently high-quality campaigns. That, in the end, is what it’s all about!
