Sunday, July 5, 2009

Week Twenty - Six / Day One

This

Has

Been

A

Great

Week...

I am in the final weeks, the proverbial Home Stretch, of creating the experience for Melbourne's annual Ronald McDonald House Charity Ball. It is a 17 year-old event, and has been shepherded by a wonderful group of committed individuals who have brought it to a place where it is one of the most important, iconic events in Melbourne.

That being the case, I am doubly honored to have been trusted and given the creative leeway to make some of the changes I have been able to affect in the format and unfolding of the experience that is going to take place, on the 17th. As the concept has evolved into the multifaceted experience that we will be sharing with this audience at the end of next week, I have been lucky enough to be working with the most professional and creative individual I have encountered since departing from NYC.

Jason Coleman, to give y'all a context, would, I suppose, hold the Simon Cowell position, here in Australia, in the context of "So You Think You Can Dance - Australia." That, and he has over twenty years experience in the creating, directing and choreographing of major spectacle...including having been a member of the creative team of the Sydney Olympics Ceremonies (and several, similar spectacles, before and since). That, alone, is enough to give those who know me a strong sense of why I'd like workin' with the guy. There is no bullshit; there is only positive, creative energy.

For the first time since arrival, I am working shoulder-to-shoulder with a gent who is focused on achieving the best possible result in the full realization of vision; committed, dedicated, assiduous, energetic, toughass, exceptionally creative and sensitive. Yeah, sounds like me and most of the people who've been on my teams in the past, doesn't it?

He is, above all, a Professional. Check out his Ministry of Dance at

www.ministryofdance.info

He has a team of professionals who work for him that is, again, the best I've encountered in Australia...and of the best I've seen anywhere, for that matter. Sharp, professional, dedicated, gracious, committed (and, of course, they're ALL hot: they're DANCERS fer chrissake); each person I encounter, over there, is a pleasure to work with; nobody drops the ball. I like that.

I don't mean to be writing an ad for the guy; I'm just so damn exhilarated to be working with someone who shares ethic and ethos.

Working with Jason has been like coming home, in a sense. Ideas fly between us like tennis balls at Wimbledon; when we hit an obstacle, we immediately have at least two ways around or over it, or find a way to work it into what we've got. It's damn refreshing and revitalizing to find a professional who works this way; and I think this will be the first of many projects on which we collaborate. Sure hope so.

This guy's great. I can't yet share with you what we have planned for the 17th; as I'd hate to tip our hand with the local audience. Rest assured that there will be video available on our company website and YouTube channel, as soon as the edit is complete...

So, this week's been great; as will be the next two weeks. The TimeLine is coming together, the professional and tech team is Ace; the producer from our company, Simon, is another solid professional...20 years in Corporate Communications, along with even more than that racing sled dogs in desert and snow, makes for a man who knows what's up and gets it done. He's amassed a good, solid production team that is coming together, cohesively, in order to deliver what I envision - what we all envision - to be an exceptional production.

[Which isn't to say that I haven't also lit candles, drawn pentagrams and beheaded chickens in support of this show; no sense tossing out what we KNOW works...]

Do I sound as though I am in a good mood? I AM in a good mood! It's great to be fully immersed in a project and able to Direct, Inspire & Be Inspired, Lead and Collaborate and work unrestrained with another creative individual of like ilk.

It ain't the biggest show in the world; but it's great to be doing something different and (hopefully) resonant and compelling on a solid, professional team in support of such a worthwhile cause...making the most complete difference possible...

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As I posted twice, last week - once on the double-circumcision and once on the gothic nature of my compartmentalized emotions - I'll keep this one short... Couldn't help the Tuesday missive; I awoke and it was there, in my head -- hadda share it. Thanks to you who read me; I simply feel that much more connected, knowing y'all are out there...