The Best Damn Virtual Experience: How Collaboration, Curiosity, and Chaos Drove Innovation
When the world turned upside down during the pandemic, many of us in the creative space had a choice to pause or pivot. I chose to pivot.
Alongside the brilliant team at Madison Bad Films, we set out to reimagine what a live experience could look like in a completely virtual world. What we ended up building wasn’t just a live stream. It was something between a late-night show and a TED Talk, a bold experiment in storytelling, technology, and teamwork.
It Was Never About One Person
From the start, I knew this couldn’t be a one-person show. The Madison Bad Films crew rejected the idea of a star or pawn. This was never about ego, it was about collaboration.
Every frame, every shot, every transition came from a collective of creatives pushing each other to do better. Innovation thrives when everyone brings their unique strengths to the table and works toward a shared vision.
Innovation Is Never Finished
Even when our virtual productions started gaining recognition and media attention, the mindset never changed: destroy what you’ve done and rebuild it better.
That phrase became our mantra. Innovation isn’t a destination; it’s a process. It’s about constantly questioning, experimenting, and breaking your own rules.
We treated each project like a new beginning not version 1.0, but version 0.1, 0.2, 0.3. Every day was about iterating, testing, and learning.
The Power of Experimentation
The truth is, we were learning in real-time. Every day, something would break. A shot wouldn’t land. The lighting would fail. But every mistake became a lesson.
That process of daily experimentation is where the magic happened. Like software developers pushing updates, we refined our approach with every broadcast. The mindset wasn’t about perfection, it was about progress.
Charisma and Connection Matter
But even with all the technology and production value, one thing became clear charisma matters.
You can have the best visuals, the most advanced setup, and the slickest transitions, but if you can’t connect with your audience, none of it matters.
Virtual production isn’t just technical. It’s emotional. It’s about how you make people feel on the other side of the screen.
The Pandemic Pivot
The shift to virtual didn’t happen because we planned it, it happened because we had to. The pandemic forced us to adapt overnight.
But that necessity sparked curiosity. We became obsessed with figuring it out, with learning and reimagining what was possible. What started as survival quickly turned into creativity at its best.
The pandemic didn’t kill creativity it accelerated it.
The Goal: Create the Best Damn Virtual Experience
From the very beginning, we had one clear, maybe even audacious goal to create the best damn virtual experience anyone had ever seen.
That goal wasn’t about competition. It was about pushing ourselves. It gave us a standard something to chase, something that reminded us to never settle.
Always a Work in Progress
Even after months of testing, streaming, and rebuilding, one thing remains true this is still a work in progress.
We’re constantly improving, constantly experimenting, constantly learning. Because the moment you think you’ve arrived is the moment innovation stops.
Final Thoughts
What I learned from this experience is simple: the best innovation happens at the intersection of collaboration, curiosity, and chaos.
It’s messy, unpredictable, and sometimes exhausting. But it’s also where the most beautiful breakthroughs happen.
If you want to create something truly special don’t wait for perfect conditions. Start experimenting, surround yourself with brilliant people, and keep pushing the limits.
Because sometimes, the best way to build the best damn virtual experience is to tear everything down and start again.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. What makes a virtual experience truly engaging?
A virtual experience feels engaging when it combines storytelling, strong visuals, interactivity, and authenticity. People connect not just through screens but through emotion when the content feels personal, purposeful, and well-produced.
Q2. How has live streaming evolved since the pandemic?
Live streaming moved from simple webcam setups to high-quality productions blending entertainment, education, and community. The pandemic turned it into a mainstream format, and now it’s a key tool for brands, creators, and educators.
Q3. Why is experimentation critical in creative industries?
Experimentation allows creators to test, fail, and refine quickly. It keeps ideas fresh and prevents stagnation. In creative work, trying new formats, tools, or narratives is how innovation happens and how great concepts are discovered.
Q4. What are the biggest challenges in virtual production?
Technical glitches, audience fatigue, and keeping content authentic are top challenges. Balancing creativity with technology and ensuring human connection through digital formats is what separates good virtual production from great.
Q5. How do teams maintain creativity under pressure?
By trusting each other, embracing flexibility, and focusing on problem-solving instead of perfection. Pressure can fuel innovation when teams have psychological safety to experiment, fail fast, and learn faster.
About the Author:
Shawn Kanungo is a globally recognized disruption strategist and keynote speaker who helps organizations adapt to change and leverage disruptive thinking. Named one of the "Best New Speakers" by the National Speakers Bureau, Shawn has spoken at some of the world's most innovative organizations, including IBM, Walmart, and 3M. His expertise in digital disruption strategies helps leaders navigate transformation and build resilience in an increasingly uncertain business environment.