Meet Your Makers: Getting Thrown into the Deep End with Lucy Anderson

Lucy Anderson is the operations manager and producer at &Friends. Lucy has over 10 years of experience in the field and worked on all aspects of production from small online content to animated Netflix series, branded documentaries and TVCs.

LBB> What first attracted you to production - and has it been an industry you’ve always worked in or did you come to it from another area?

Lucy> I always loved photography growing up but decided it was more of a hobby and wasn't interested in photography as a career. For this reason, I later found myself in production.

LBB> What was your first role in the production world and how did this experience influence how you think about production now?

Lucy> My first role in the production world was working on the client side as a sample assistant. I used to get to go on shoots and I got so excited by them!

LBB> How did you learn to be a producer? 

Lucy> I was trained by the many talented producers that I worked with.

LBB> Looking back to the beginning of your career, can you tell us about a production you were involved in where you really had to dig deep and that really helped you to grow as a producer? 

Lucy> I think every job I do helps me grow as a producer but getting thrown into the deep end definitely accelerates this growth. 

LBB> A good producer should be able to produce for any medium, from film to events to digital experience. Do you agree or disagree with this statement? Why/why not?

Lucy> I think the skill for all these mediums is the same however to be a good producer lots of it comes with experience, each shoot I produce I learn something new which I can take to the next shoot with me, and when I produced my first shoot I had been a production runner learning how to do the job. If I were to produce an event I wouldn’t know all the finer details or what the ‘watchouts’ were – it probably wouldn’t go so well. 

LBB> What’s your favourite thing about production and why?

Lucy> I love it when everything finally comes together– you feel this big sense of achievement and satisfaction.

LBB> How has production changed since you started your career? 

Lucy> The lead time from project sign-off to shoot has been reduced and everything is needed yesterday.   

LBB> And what has stayed the same? 

Lucy> The fun of the job and working with so many talented people.

LBB> What do you think is the key to being an effective producer - and is it something that’s innate or something that can be learned?

Lucy> Well organised, a quick problem solver and calm. It’s a mixture. 

LBB> As a producer your brain must have a neverending "to do" list. How do you switch off? What do you do to relax? 

Lucy> Exercise is the best way for me to de-stress and switch off.

LBB> What’s the key to a successful production-client relationship? 

Lucy> Have fun and make sure you listen to what the client wants!