I do not want to be a producer, I’m pretty certain on that. Having worked in production in theatre, which albeit having the same name is actually a slightly different beast, I know that I have an abundance of transferable skills that’s means if I wanted to I could have quite a successful career in it. However, one of the reasons I started this masters was because I wanted to move away from more production and practical based work and more into creative storytelling.
However, saying that, the thing that is the most important to me right now is to continue to learn. To learn about animation process, filmmaking and about the industry as a whole and whilst I would be most keen to begin working in a creative field, I would be incredibly content with taking my first steps in production in order to better learn about this industry. When chatting through my CV with Cecilia Hay from Passion Pictures, she joked “are you sure you don’t want a job in production” and I immediately said I would do it. While she was not offering me a job in the slightest, she did take my card in case any running or production assistant jobs came up in the future and I would be more than grateful for any opportunity that arises.
So while I do not want to be a producer or necessarily work in production, I would absolutely pursue it as a way to improve my own skills, learn more about the industry whilst working in it and using it as a platform for getting any creative opportunities and making as many professional connections as possible.
In my initial stages for job searching, post-graduation, I will of course be apply for and searching for creative animation roles, however I also plan on dropping round London based studios, CV in hand with a decade of production experience under my belt. Something that every single professional has instilled upon us, both during the course and during talks/networking opportunities at Cardiff Animation Festival, is the importance of ‘soft skills’ and I absolutely intend on using my experience in theatre, my confidence and my ability to communicate effectively to make myself far more enticing as a potential employee.
In my time working professionally in theatre I have: managed teams, created production schedules, managed budgets, overseen practical builds and installations, sourced materials, managed hires and purchases on a large scale, been responsible for buildings (opening and closing), managed email inboxes, acted as a company liaison, managed events and been involved in recruitment, to name a few immediately transferrable skills.
In addition I am also trained at working at height, hold an IPAF certification, am trained fire safety, first aid at work, disability awareness and hold a qualification in British Sign Language level 2. All of these will assist in my employability within production should it be an avenue I choose to pursue.