There’s no question that things are far from “back to normal”. In many places across the globe, and in certain states, the rates of COVID infection are going up and the consequences of the pandemic continue. Much has been, and will continue to be, written about the science and politics and I’ll leave that to the experts. I’d rather address the issue of how Creatives can best to negotiate the territory ahead.
I have always said that everyone needs a trusted advisor, especially creative individuals and entrepreneurs. That need is greater now as the future is even more unpredictable than ever. While writers need great editors, musicians need top producers, and so on, a legal and business advisor is indispensable to those whose attention must be focused on the creative process, often to the detriment of legal and financial concerns.
The post-pandemic world will be full of new legal and financial considerations that most Creatives are not familiar with. They lack the time and interest to review statements of policies and new insurance requirements. The unions that already have concerns and many forms to review and fill out will likely have more of all of them.
Of course, there are new positive outcomes that a Creative might overlook without the help of a trusted advisor. For instance, various governmental programs and grants from organizations might now be available that only a “suit” would know about and assist in obtaining.
There is a new dark side of all of this that is growing as well. Some people and multinational corporations are becoming more difficult to work with. They are more willing to assert their dominance by breaking deals with talent, using their massive amounts of cash and PR teams and armies of lawyers to make sure that they make as much money as possible regardless of your talent and contributions. But when a creative shows up to a meeting or negotiation with their own quality representation such as an attorney with four decades of experience, suddenly the multinational conglomerates are less likely to take advantage of them. I myself have been able to resolve large conflicts for clients with a simple letter on my stationery sent to the “offending” party.
The bottom line is that real and successful Creatives know that they cannot go it alone. They need a team. Now as we enter the fall and a new phase in the return to normalcy, your creative journey can move forward. To do so gracefully and successfully, don’t go back alone. Get a trusted advisor.