Meet Your Makers: Why Aborah Buick Thrives on Continual Growth

Aborah Buick’s affinity with film began when she was just 13 years old, and today, she has garnered 20 years’ industry experience as an award-winning executive producer. Her work has been awarded at The One Show, AWARD Awards, LIA, Kinsale, D&AD and The Cannes Lions: International Festival of Creativity.  

Before joining The Producers, she was executive producer at Alt.vfx where she oversaw a slate of campaigns such as NAB, ANZ, Schweppes and Budget Direct, as well as worked on VFX work for feature films Penguin Bloom and The Dry. 

Aborah also earned her stripes as a post-production producer at companies in Brisbane and Sydney, first working across facilities and then later taking on head of production positions. 

LBB> What first attracted you to production? Has it been an industry you’ve always worked on or did you come to it from another area?

Aborah> My grandfather was the first photographer to shoot colour film in Australia, and he was a guiding light in my career, from giving me my first film camera at 13 through to acting as driver when I started to shoot my own projects. Whilst I diverted to visual effects and post-production for 19 years, at my core, I have always been about the pictures and that is due to my grandfather.   

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

Aborah> I was a production coordinator and front of house at a small studio in Brisbane, during a time when we were still physically running dubs via courier to stations and commercials advice still required a VHS sent with the paperwork faxed through. 

LBB> How do you evolve in your role as producer?

Aborah> I’m forever learning, I think, even after 20 years. A new technique, a new technology, a new creative personality to glean experience from. I think that's what I love most about our awe-inspiring industry. No day is the same, and we are forever learning. 

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?

Aborah> I worked on a large-scale car commercial that didn’t quite have the right amount of time in the post schedule. There were days we slept in the suite and days I questioned whether we would make it to the delivery deadline. But we did. And I’ve never forgotten the teamwork that got us there. 

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?

Aborah> I do to an extent. Whilst there is indeed "technical know-how" that does impact the speed in which one can produce, the ability to creatively problem solve and connect people is innate in all good producers. 

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

Aborah> The people. I didn’t even need to think about that.

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

Aborah> The invention of RED camera was probably the biggest change. The death of film that followed and the speed in which production can now travel through to delivery. 

LBB> And what has stayed the same?

Aborah> The passion. 

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

Aborah> People skills. If you can’t unite a team on a goal, or convince a tricky client on the best approach, then you’ll never do truly great work. 

LBB> In terms of recent work, which projects have you found to be particularly exciting or have presented particularly interesting production challenges?

Aboah> Working on the VFX for the Feature Film Penguin Bloom. We created a purpose-built feather system for the CGI bird. It was so seamless that journalists writing about the film were unable to tell the scenes that were in fact CGI from the actual stand-in bird and praised the live action bird’s performance. 

LBB> What are your personal ambitions or aspirations as a producer?

Aborah> I’d like to help grow future talent, and diverse talent at that. I think we have a responsibility to leave the industry better than we found it. 

LBB> As a producer, your brain must have a never-ending list of tasks to work on. How do you switch off? What do you do to relax?

Aborah> I fell in love with running. There is nothing like making your heart race through physical exercise to teach your mind to let go.  

LBB> Producers are problem solvers. What personally fuels your curiosity and drive?

Aborah> A genuine need to help the artists and clients I work with to reach their united goal.  

LBB> What advice would you give to people who are interested in becoming a producer?

Aborah> Spend time with as many creative people as you can. Learn. Be keen. Be present. And be thankful for any opportunities that come your way, and appreciate them. 

LBB> From your experience what are the ingredients for a successful production?

Aborah> A team spirit and a sense of humour.

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

Aborah> Mutual understanding and respect. Listening to one another.