By Susie Holm
EVCOM Shadow Board member and Production Assistant at The Edge Picture Company Susie Holm interviewed her colleagues working in Production and Post-Production roles at varying levels – Elena Frangiamore, Joe Temple, Hamza Pool, Yvresse Laureano – about their journey’s in the industry so far, how they got into corporate/ brand film and what they love about their work!
What is your job title?
Elena: Production Manager
Joe: Production Manager
Hamza: Production Assistant
Yvresse: Senior Post-Production Co-ordinator
Tell us a little bit about you before you were at The Edge.
Elena: I worked in a Primary school as a Higher-Level Teaching Assistant for 4 years, then quit my job and went travelling around Southeast Asia & Japan for 7 months!
Joe: Being obsessed with all things film, I worked at a cinema post-graduation before working in a few post-production facilities for advertising whilst working on screenwriting and short films.
Hamza: Before the edge, I had just graduated from university. Through a recommendation, I submitted my film “Magpie” to the EVCOM Focus Award, where the film took first place. As a result of that award, I received mentorship from Sara Cooper at Plastic Pictures and Pete Stevenson at The Edge Picture Company, where I have been working for the past three years.
Yvresse: I come from quite an artistic background; I did fine art from year 9 to sixth form. After sixth form, I did a foundation year in Ravensbourne University in Design and Media just to figure out what I wanted to do. They covered fashion, film, graphics and architecture. From that I realised I enjoyed animation, which lead me to do an Animation degree in Ravensbourne University and I majored in character animation and VFX. I then landed my first role after uni in a production company to where I met someone who recommended me to Lori (Head of Post-Production) and the Edge.
Tell us about your Edge journey.
Elena: Taking a complete career change, I started off as a production runner and quickly worked my way up to Production Assistant then Production Manager. The past year I have been producing my own animations and short films within the company.
Joe: I started as a Production Assistant in November 2021 working on a range of projects for HSBC, Network Rail, SABIC, UKPN and Amazon to name a few.
Hamza: Since working at the Edge Picture Company, I’ve gained invaluable knowledge and skills as a Production Assistant, like attention to detail, time management skills, and a deep understanding of the film production process.
Yvresse: I got recommended by someone from my previous job to Lori for the Post Production Co-ordinator role, and as I come from a practical/technical background (from doing the animations, graphics etc) I wanted to be able to learn more about the theoretical aspect where you manage a project from start to finish and liaising with clients as well.
Why corporate?
Elena: It’s probably not as complex as being on a movie set, but with this you’re involved in very element of the project from start to finish and you’re not just being stuck in one specific field. To some people, corporate film may not sound like Hollywood glitz & glamor, but it gives you the opportunity to bring out your creative flare, to push the boundaries and that’s what’s great about it.
Joe: I relish in the opportunity to work with incredible talent to create engaging, inspiring, and exciting stories that elevate corporate briefs into something more. Each project is different and usually offers new insights into employee/client experiences, as well as filmmaking processes in general.
Hamza: After finishing university, I decided to jump into the corporate because I saw it as a chance to grow and learn more about film production process. In corporate film, I gained some seriously valuable skills. For instance, through corporate film, I’ve become experienced in juggling all sorts of tasks like scheduling shoots, keeping budgets in check, casting and making sure everything gets done on time.
Yvresse: I think it is because I knew nothing about corporate films really and I was intrigued by it.
What about your work do you enjoy the most?
Elena: Working with a variety of different clients. Having the flexibility to be adventurous especially with the creative. Being involved in all the different pieces of the project’s puzzle – from script writing, casting, wardrobe, filming through to edit and delivery to create one final picture you’re proud of.
Joe: Whether it’s casting, shooting or editing, there is so much to get stuck into. As an amateur screenwriter, I would say that engaging in the process of seeing scripts come to life through various drafts and casting would be what I enjoy the most. Hearing the same lines over and over until the right actor makes them fresh and compelling is always a wonderful moment.
Hamza: What I enjoy the most about my work is the opportunity for creative challenges and problem-solving. I love the dynamic nature of the job, where each project presents unique challenges to overcome and creative solutions to explore.
Yvresse: I definitely enjoy learning especially new things. From this role, I have learnt to do subtitles, creating language versions or films etc. What I enjoy the most is managing a project from start to finish, it is very rewarding especially when the client is happy.
What do you find most challenging in your position?
Elena: Being involved in all the stages of the project means making sure you’re keeping on top of all the elements.
Joe: Although it sounds cliched, the most challenging aspects of the process are usually the most rewarding. Moments where something isn’t quite right that you can’t quite put your finger on when casting, shooting and editing – maybe a line reading, a lighting placement or music choice – encourage you to fully invest in finding a solution that fundamentally services the story. There is also something very satisfying in overcoming logistical challenges in planning and executing a shoot. Perhaps a location is no longer available, or the perfect prop seems unachievable – finding ways around that to make it all work can be a genuine thrill.
Hamza: The most challenging aspect I would say is chasing clients for feedback and having to push schedules back to accommodate last minute changes. However, through the Edge, I’ve gotten used to this a lot overtime.
Yvresse: In my role, you have to learn how to manage more than one project at the same time, and with that it is just being able to have the confidence in yourself to juggle those projects and knowing what to do.
Can you talk a little bit about your expectations of working in this industry and how they differ from reality?
Elena: I thought it was a very male heavy lead industry – but in my 5 & a half years working in the industry I have come across strong, independent women who are Producers and Directors. Our CEO is one of them!
Joe: I think anyone who starts working in film enters the industry with some level of naivety in regards to just how many elements come into play. My personal expectations initially fell short on just how important every role can be in terms of the grand scheme of the story we are telling. It’s not just a director or writer who drive the creative – everyone has a say in bringing together disparate elements to make a successful film.
Hamza: Corporate involves a lot of behind-the-scenes work that isn’t always as glamorous as it seems. There’s a significant amount of planning, coordination, and problem-solving involved in bringing a project to life. Tight deadlines, budget constraints, and client demands can create stressful situations that require quick thinking and adaptability.
Yvresse: I think for me, the industry was a scary thought, and I was nervous about if I would fit up to the standards and almost questioning myself a lot as a junior. However, whilst joining the Edge, I feel so comfortable to be myself and I have gained a lot of confidence just by being around people who are willing to teach and help you.
Can you talk a little bit about what you think the future of the industry looks like?
Elena: With AI becoming more prominent, we need to make sure we’re always 2 steps ahead. Coming up with new ideas as a team and not relying on this new tool to think for us.
Joe: The speed at which we can provide visually arresting creative concepts has massively increased thanks to the advance of technology such as AI or graphics/animation. We are able to show a client exactly what we are working towards with impressive and accurate demonstrations of what the finished product will look like quicker than ever. I think this will have a major impact on risks regarding misuse of resources or results falling short on expectations after the shoot has been completed.
Hamza: I feel AI and automation mean smoother workflows, while virtual production and AR offer immersive storytelling experiences. But I am also the concerned that AI might dilute the human touch in storytelling, but time will tell.
Yvresse: Regarding subtitling and translation, there are already AI software’s there are transcribing in different languages, which I think would make the process easier but for the quality of it, it still needs a human to quality check it.
What are your career goals for the future?
Elena: To move up to Producer and having full ownership of my own projects.
Joe: Personally, I would like to move more into writing for client briefs and creative approaches at pitching stages as I continue to ascend the production ladder.
Hamza: To direct and produce feature films.
Yvresse: I enjoy being able to be part of both worlds in a sense, the practical and theoretical aspect of post-production. I think in order to become a post producer I need to be able to understand how the practical side works and the workflow.