I’ve been producing live TV for over four years now, the last two years or so of which has been spent thinking about humor and comedy in addition to just getting the info out. That’s a fair amount of time. It’s not a 20+ year career but it’s a decent sampling of the space.
What I’ve found is that more than anything it’s my job (and by extension the job of my staff) to create situations (both on-air and off) where surprises can happen. Getting people to a place where they feel comfortable enough to start exploring what is interesting to them which will then bubble up to the greater project (in my case my TV show).
Sometimes I’m better at it than others. I get frustrated just like anyone else. However, when it works, it’s brilliant to see someone take something and really make it theirs. This can happen either by careful planning (the segment producer who’s been thinking for a while about how to integrate and idea into their segment) or in an immediate ad-lib on live air. Either way, it comes down to a comfort level with taking risks.
If you can protect that, you’re on the right path. And you’ll start to see surprises around you. Which you have to remember is a good sign.
Suprises = Unsatiated Curiousity = Creative Goodness.
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