Rethinking Vendor Relationships: A Personal Reflection on Collaboration and Co-Evolution

By Ashleigh Prince, Sustainability Consultant

In the world of film and TV production, the term “vendor” gets used a lot. It’s often a default category, someone we hire, someone we pay. But after working in the evolving space of sustainability in entertainment, I’ve come to realize that what we traditionally call “vendor relationships” can be something much deeper, and much more powerful.

When we start thinking of vendors as collaborators rather than just service providers, everything changes. I’ve had the privilege of working with vendors who weren’t just fulfilling a job, they were problem-solvers, idea-generators, and often, teachers. Whether it was a composting company willing to trial a pilot program on set or a materials vendor open to exploring new sourcing options to reduce waste, the relationship became more than transactional. It became transformational. And honestly, that’s where the real magic happens.

Sustainability is not a box we check, it is a living, breathing conversation.

It’s a space where innovation often comes from those on the ground, those behind the scenes, those whose names might not be in the credits but whose impact is deeply felt. And if we approach these relationships with curiosity, openness, and mutual respect, we tap into a collective intelligence that is so much greater than any one department or job title.

I think back to one specific collaboration where I was working with a waste hauler on a film set. Initially, I approached them with a list of sustainability goals and compliance checkboxes. But after a few conversations, I realized they had years of expertise I could learn from, things I hadn’t even considered. What started as a checklist turned into co-creation. We weren’t just talking logistics anymore; we were talking about systems, behavioral shifts, and long-term impact.

That shift from “vendor” to “partner” opened up possibilities neither of us had imagined alone.

It’s easy to fall into the hierarchy of roles in production, but sustainability invites us into a more collaborative paradigm. Everyone has a piece of the puzzle.

When we flatten the traditional dynamic and invite input from all corners, vendors included, we uncover better solutions, build more resilient practices, and create an atmosphere of mutual respect.

These relationships, when nurtured, become part of a feedback loop that helps our entire industry evolve. And in a field like sustainability, which is constantly changing, we need that flow of knowledge and shared experimentation.

So next time I hear the word “vendor,” I’ll pause. I’ll ask: what can I learn here? What can we build together? Because in the end, collaboration isn’t just a feel-good word. It’s the foundation for the future we’re trying to create, on set, and beyond.