8 Business Lessons I Learned from Participating in the Baltimore 48-Hour Film Project

On July 15-18, 2022 I participated in the Baltimore 48-Hour Film Project, the perfect creative incubator setting for practicing great storytelling, testing and developing skills, and expanding creative concepts and ideas in a very short period (48 hours).

My all-volunteer team (a requirement) and I produced a 6-minute thriller/suspense <view the film>, writing the original story on Friday night, shooting the footage on Saturday at the stunning Chesapeake Shakespeare Theatre in Baltimore, composing original music and sound effects, and editing the footage to completion on Sunday by 7:10 p.m.

Following these intense experiences, I always take a moment to examine lessons learned and how these kinds of creative activities impact my contribution at work. Here are my eight favorite lessons learned from this weekend:

Exercising your creative muscle outside of work can stimulate new energy and creativity inside of work.

I can state unequivocally that creativity is my personal fuel and an energizing force in my life. The more, the better. It's the currency of my professional contributions, and it definitely impacts my work.

Sometimes you don't have all of the facts until the last minute, and that is OK.

Every short film produced for the weekend must incorporate the following required elements that were announced at the event kick-off Friday, July 15. Miss one element, and you are out of the competition. The short must include: GENRE: Thriller/Suspense (random draw); PROP: Crab Mallet; LINE: "I know why you’re here"; and CHARACTER: Nathalie or Nate Bellevue - A how to author.

A shared objective and plan creates team cohesion and a positive momentum that contributes to outstanding results.

I led a team of people that’s never worked together. I knew well only two of the nine participants. The other team members I met within the last 14 days. The required elements, the short film concept, and the script were our guideposts, and we knew we had 48-hours to produce an outstanding short film. That pulled us together fast.

Compressed time scenarios force action, pivots, proactive problem-solving, and positive momentum.

We experienced together the true power and pressure of a deadline/time constraint. Writing a short film with all the required elements and producing a viable product in 48-hours seems impossible. But, we did it. Time compression helps.

While putting in place Plan A, B, C and D can ensure that something happens, don't ever discount the magic that can happen in unplanned moments.

We experienced more than our fair share of magical moments...moments we couldn't have planned. Expect the magic to happen, even at work.

Accessing non-traditional platforms that allow experimentation and testing and development of skills.

We all need experiences that test and expand our skills. For this project, I was director, team leader, Foley artist, and voice actor. I played the evil "voice" of the theater. Well, it wasn't really a voice. It was more like growling sounds and dark breathing. I did the recording when I first woke on Sunday morning - my "leave me alone" voice which is deep and ominous.

Kaizen offers a professional development stipend. I used some of those funds to purchase Final Cut Pro with the personal goal of learning how to edit using the program. I tried my hand at editing the short film trailer and the "The Making of Reconciliation" documentary. The event gave my personal goal legs and I was able to strengthen my editing skills.

Lack of experience or knowledge may create fear, but it should never limit participation.

I read the other day a concept that inspires me: action precedes motivation. We can never let a lack of experience or knowledge cause us to hold back and not participate. Take the plunge. (Thanks, Ryan Sheets for this one!)

You must always celebrate your accomplishments.

Over the next two weeks the adjudication happens. The films premiered at the Charles Theatre, 1711 North Charles Street, Baltimore 21201 on July 28 at 7 p.m. We were there to celebrate our work and the work of the other teams who took on the same challenge.

I am proud of my team - Ion Collective Productions - and what we accomplished in a mere 48 hours. Would I do it again? Absolutely!! Again and again.

I may be reaching out to you next time to join me.

Project Director Donna Vincent Roa leads USAID's Partnerships Incubator, a $47M global service hub and project of?Kaizen,?A Tetra Tech Company?set up to expand the agency's capacity for partnerships, diversify and strengthen its partner base, and build the capacity of partners who have received an award from USAID. The Partnerships Incubator's mission is to help USAID engage new and local partners and catalyze innovations that advance development impact.

The views expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the views of and should not be attributed to USAID or the USG.