Importance of ‘Collaboration’ Highlighted at Cultural & Creative Industries Skillnet Second Annual Culture Crush Event

Cultural & Creative Industries Skillnet placed ‘collaboration’ centre stage at its second annual Culture Crush event, held in St Mary’s Church, RDS Dublin, on November 28th.  

By bringing different areas of art and media together under one roof, Culture Crush fosters the cross-pollination of ideas, celebrates shared victories, and sparks the conversations that can lead to meaningful change. 

Hundreds of professionals attended the one-day event, which brought together experts from across the creative industries. 

Gareth Lee, Network Manager, Cultural & Creative Industries Skillnet, said: “Culture Crush was born out of a simple but powerful idea: the creative industries, though diverse in medium and craft, share many of the same challenges, opportunities, and goals.” 

“Collaboration isn’t just a buzzword; it’s a driving force behind innovation in our industry. Whether it’s a filmmaker working with a composer, or a game developer teaming up with an immersive technologist, these partnerships are where the magic happens. At Culture Crush 2024, we’re creating a space for these collaborators to find each other.” 

Culture Crush 2024 opened with a performance by celebrated wife and husband duo composer Eimear Noone and producer Craig Stuart Garfinkle. Using a clip from animated movie The Canterville Ghost, they walked the audience through their collaborative process, from conceptualising the musical requirements for the project, through to laying the final score to picture. 

The performance ended with a live orchestral segment conducted by Eimear, demonstrating how music transforms animated content into an emotional journey. This segment was designed to highlight that true collaboration is as much about listening and adapting as it is about leading and creating. 

The first of several interesting panel discussions, moderated by Sheila De Courcy, assembled an impressive group of creatives to discuss the realities of working on ‘EPIC projects’. Panellists Jess Majekodunmi, Eimear Noone, Curtis Jobling, and Des O’Leary explored the importance of ego management, the need for flexibility, and the art of blending individual strengths into a collective vision. 

The second panel of the day highlighted the impact of ‘Unseen & Unheard’ professionals who are making a profound contribution to the contemporary cultural landscape. Steve Fanagan (sound design), Jill Beecher (production design), Ed Bruce (VFX), and Colm Mac Con Iomaire (composer) shared insights into their behind-the-scenes roles. The panel also discussed overcoming challenges, maintaining enthusiasm, and fostering talent. They concluded that the best collaborations are invisible to the audience, always of service to the story without drawing attention to individual contributions.  

The curtain closed on Culture Crush 2024 with a powerful performance from poet Felispeaks. Weaving their selection of poems - All the Things I wish I didn’t know, Green Lady, THEY - through the story of growing up in Longford before moving to Dublin, they tackled head-on issues of mental health, social challenges, and personal resilience.  

Gareth Lee said he hopes the event left everyone “feeling not just inspired but empowered”.  

“Empowered to dream a little bigger, collaborate a little further, and tell their stories in ways they hadn’t thought possible. At the heart of it, that’s what Culture Crush is—an intersection of talent, creativity, and community,” he added. 

Further information about the event and Cultural & Creative Industries Skillnet is available online, here.