The entertainment industry has long been a creative hub, offering a wide range of opportunities for storytellers to engage audiences uniquely. As technology advances, immersive storytelling has emerged as a powerful tool for bringing narratives to life, enabling creators to craft more engaging and interactive experiences. This innovation reshapes how stories are told, moving beyond traditional media and allowing for deeper audience interaction. Immersive storytelling can transform the way stories are presented and the connection between the creator and the audience.
Adrian Rashad Driscoll, the CEO, has made significant strides in the entertainment space. With a background that blends acting and storytelling, he has been dedicated to developing narrative-driven experiences that push the boundaries of immersive technology. Driven by a mission to promote diversity, Adrian creates opportunities for underrepresented groups, especially within the BIPOC community. His leadership style focuses on service, curiosity, and collaboration, aiming to empower others while staying true to the craft of storytelling.
Collimation, a forward-thinking company in the immersive storytelling industry, benefits from Adrian’s vision and commitment to inclusion. The company leverages innovative technologies and creative partnerships to enhance narrative experiences, prioritizing storytelling over technology. With a focus on collaboration, it fosters a community-oriented approach to creating impactful, immersive content that resonates with diverse audiences and empowers creators to bring their visions to life.
Let’s delve in to learn more:
From Acting to Immersive Storytelling
Even before he fully realized it, Adrian has had a lifelong connection to the entertainment industry. At six, he began acting at his church, which felt natural. As he grew older, he continued to book roles in school plays and started writing fan episodes for shows like Martin and The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. This passion for storytelling continued throughout his college years as a hobby, eventually propelling him toward his move to Los Angeles in 2010.
Initially, Adrian’s goal was to pursue a career as an actor. However, he quickly learned that Hollywood did not place much value on theatre, leading him to start his own production company. Despite the challenges of not making enough to cover his expenses, he supplemented his income by doing promotional modeling. During one of these gigs for a company called Oculus, Adrian discovered his passion for immersive storytelling. This experience sparked a deep interest in exploring new ways to engage audiences, and since then, he has been committed to the craft of creating immersive, narrative-driven experiences.
Creating Opportunities and Promoting Diversity in the Industry
Adrian has been given numerous opportunities throughout his career, all of which he has earned through hard work and dedication. Understanding that even when opportunities are earned, they are not always readily available, he has made it his mission to create as many opportunities as possible, particularly for Black individuals. His efforts are primarily focused on increasing the representation of BIPOC individuals in the industry, recognizing the lack of opportunities and representation for these groups. While he collaborates with all, his core mission remains to promote diversity and inclusion within the space.
Prioritizing Service and Curiosity in Leadership
Adrian believes that the highest level one can achieve in life is through service. As a leader, his primary goal is to serve those who rely on him for guidance. He recognizes the importance of staying curious about the industry to provide the best possible resources for his team. By doing so, he can distinguish between merely trendy technology and the tools that truly enhance storytelling.
Commitment to Work and Professional Dedication
Adrian maintains a rigorous work schedule, dedicating 16 hours daily, six days a week, to his responsibilities. He has not taken a vacation in 20 years, fully committing himself to his professional pursuits.
Prioritizing Storytelling Over Technology in Strategy
Adrian prioritizes storytelling over technology in his work. While recognizing the appeal of innovative technology, he focuses on its potential to enhance storytelling rather than simply showcasing the technology itself. His approach centers on ensuring that all strategies are designed to tell a compelling story, believing that by staying true to this core principle, the company will naturally explore and incorporate the latest and most creative methods for storytelling.
From Self-Reliance to Collaborative Succes
When Collimation was founded, Adrian initially struggled with delegation. He spent thousands of hours learning Unity, though he considered himself mediocre. After being introduced to Cause (part of the Cause+Christi group), they assisted with several of the company’s builds. Driscoll realized that his earlier belief that only he could create something impactful was limiting, and he failed to fully engage his community. Over time, the team learned the importance of collaboration and recognized their core group of partners. They follow a “Happy Madison” approach, bringing their partners into every project.
Key Lessons on Leadership, Value, and Personal Growth
Adrian shares key lessons he believes would have accelerated his progress if he had known them earlier. He highlights several principles he strives to live by:
- Don’t take yourself too seriously – This mindset helps ensure one remains open to helping others.
- Don’t strive for perfection at the cost of missing present opportunities – It’s easy to get caught in the trap of wanting everything to be flawless, which can hinder leadership and growth.
- Understand the distinction between money and value – He emphasizes learning how to give value before expecting financial compensation. While money is temporary, value has a long-lasting impact. By focusing on adding value, one can open doors to incredible opportunities that might initially seem underpaid.
Empowering Creators and Sharing Insights on Immersive Storytelling
Adrian strongly desires to lead another impactful program similar to Scale Up Immersive, recognizing its significance in providing diverse creators with opportunities. He also aims to deliver a TED talk to share his perspective on using immersive technology to craft powerful narratives. Additionally, Driscoll envisions starting a creator’s fund to empower creators to produce their dream content without being restricted by financial constraints.
