You have to open your eyes, be enthusiastic and put in the graft. It’s not a 9-5 job.
What is your job?
I'm a freelance Production Manager.
What does your job involve?
As a production manager, the first job is pricing the script. If a script says something has to be filmed at night-time, the crew can charge time and a half. And you pay through the nose to film in the City of London, whereas you don’t pay for a film permit in Westminster. So I work out the price for the location, equipment, actors and stock. Next, I look at health and safety issues and negotiate fees for actors, equipment, crew and editing. I produce a call sheet that contains every bit of information needed for the day of the shoot – times, locations, equipment, actors, crew and contact details. Then on the day, I sort out any problems that arise.
How did you get to this point in your career?
While I was studying, I had some exciting opportunities to do work placements, including working as camera assistant on The Bill, camera operator for the Royal Marines during a two week NATO exercise in Scotland, travelling to Qatar to help launch Al Jazeera International and filming the world premiere of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix in London. I also worked as a freelance production manager for Red Bee Media, and have continued to freelance for the company since graduating.
What training did you do and where?
I took a two year BTEC course in business studies, then worked in shops, in a psychiatric hospital and travelled. I moved to London to join my sister and got a job as a telephonist at the BBC. I worked my way up from there, taking jobs in the press office, as a broadcast assistant and as a production trainee. After ten years at the BBC, I took voluntary redundancy. This was my opportunity to go into full time education and learn more about the technical side of production. I decided to do the Broadcast Operations and Production course at Ravensbourne. It was a fabulous experience going back into education – I learned so much, both on the course and from the younger students.
Which piece of work are you most proud of?
I’m proudest of my final year documentary – The Good Friday Meeting – about the Herne Hill Velodrome. I filmed cyclists training and covered the history and politics of the place too. It came out exactly how I wanted it to.
What do you need to succeed in your industry?
You have to be very flexible and have a strong character, not let people walk all over you. You have to be able to keep control of the situation yet allow directors to express their creativity. You also need a really good knowledge of equipment and formats to help keep costs down.
Who’s your work hero / heroine?
A producer called Mark Collins, one of the last people I worked with at the BBC. He’s very creative and always an inspirational person to have around.
What inspired you to do this type of work?
I love the process of seeing a project through from beginning to end – from the script stage to when it goes out on tv – and you think, ‘We managed to crack that.’
What do your friend/family think of the work you do?
My parents thought I was lunatic when I decided to take voluntary redundancy, and they still don’t understand why I enjoy being freelance. But they’re very proud of the fact that I have ambitions, even at my age, and don’t want to stop.
What are your tips for anyone wanting to do your job?
You have to open your eyes, be enthusiastic and put in the graft. It’s not a 9-5 job. Sometimes I’ve worked 19 hour days. It’s not a job for the faint hearted. You have to be precise and accurate. I’d recommend starting as a runner or trainee production assistant. There are good production management courses, but in the end, you have to learn by doing the job.
Creative inspirations
My mother
My mother is Spanish and worked as a dress designer when she came to England. Her work has been exhibited and she restored a dress that’s now in the V&A. I admire her because she worked 24/7 and brought up a family too.
My partner
My partner, Jason, has always backed me. He encouraged me to go back to college, even when I was getting back at 8pm and carrying on studying at night.
My niece
My niece Ellie was diagnosed with autistic syndrome disorder. She’s 11 now and is very creative, a fantastic artist. Her creativity inspires me.
My Mac
Thank you Mr Jobs. I love my Mac. You can do so many things on it – I like to dabble with After Effects and Final Cut. I even take it on holiday with me.
Guillermo del Toro
Pan’s Labyrinth and The Devil’s Backbone are two of my favourite films. I love the way Del Toro’s vivid imagination seems to capture the magic of childhood.
The Spanish Civil War
Being half Spanish, I find Spain’s history fascinating. I wrote my dissertation at Ravensbourne on how the Spanish Civil War affected Spanish film makers.
Ken Loach
I love Loach’s films – they’re so raw and ready and life-like. They’re not commercial Hollywood blockbusters – you can really relate to them. And of course Land and Freedom was about the Spanish Civil War.
Lost in La Mancha
I’d recommend all aspiring film makers to watch this Terry Gilliam documentary. It shows everything that went wrong when he tried to make a film based on Don Quixote. Actors got sick, the weather was disastrous, he ran out of money. It’s funny and sad at the same time.
Almodovar
I love the way Almodovar captures the colour of the Spanish culture, mixing comedy and tragedy.
Flamenco
I have so many flamenco cds, dating from the 1900s to the present day. The songs and dances are so expressive and emotional. I close my eyes and I could be in Spain.
If you would like advice on creative careers and courses, contact a Creative Way Careers Adviser - either Matt Ball on m.ball@uel.ac.uk / 07889 001764 or Sarah Comerford on s.comerford@uel.ac.uk / 07515 051509.