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The Informal/Formal: Mentorship Can Change Lives, That’s Why We Need More of It

20/04/2023
Production Services
London, UK
356
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Producer Jonny Kight gets honest about his lifelong search for a mentor and what changes he would like the industry to give everyone a chance to get advice from industry experts

My route to working behind the camera started with a desire (of sorts) to be in front of it. I pursued my acting ambition by attending drama school. You might recognise me from such shows as... oh wait, that wasn't me, but I was the third spearman in Shakespeare's Othello at the Slough community theatre. I dabbled behind the camera on the side, making short films and low-rent grime music videos (it was the noughties!). A stint in NYC and LA followed before I returned to London, broke and depressed, and then I split up with my girlfriend. I was ready to become the next Ridley Scott or set up the next Working Title. Yet I stayed broke, depressed, and without a girlfriend.

I pivoted my non-existent career to producing, but not in so many steps. Jeez, even writing this, I realise what a crap story it is. But somewhere in between, I read every filmmaking book I could get my hands on. I watched every director's commentary on every DVD I could get my eyes and ears on - a DIY film school of sorts. I then started out as a runner, using Pantone tea stamps for the required brew, working my way up and getting experience on the set of promos before transitioning into commercials. Did I know what I was doing back then? With over 15 years of experience to look back on, I'm comfortable with saying, absolutely not. And do I know to this day? No! Do I wish there was someone I could've called to answer one of the hundreds of questions I had? Absolutely yes. 

You might be wondering what point I'm trying to make and why it's taking me more than a paragraph to get to it. I'm looking for a job... no, well, you know... basically, I want to talk about mentorship in the industry. I wish I had some back in the day - or let's be honest here - even today.

The nice thing about the film industry is that it has this unofficial apprenticeship scheme in place. Do you want to direct? You start out as a runner and work your way up. Do you want to produce? You start out as a runner and work your way up. Do you want to be an editor? You start as runner at an edit house and work your way up. You want to..? You see where I'm going with this. You might go through departments, but then you find your footing. Starting out as a runner is a rite of passage, and it's a way to meet people professionally and learn from them. Sure, some people you meet might become mentors if you're lucky, but it's all a bit formal and down to chance. Not every working relationship will turn into a mentor/mentee one. 

I know there were times in my career when I wanted to talk to someone who had done all this before. I wanted to ask for advice, hear horror stories, and be told to choose option B over option A. I wanted to lean onto someone else's experience and expertise to save me time (and probably money) that I would otherwise make from learning from my own mistakes.

But this isn't (all) about me; I'm already in the industry. What about young people about to step foot onto their first set? Or the young people in school who don't know that they could have a career behind the camera to begin with?

It's worth noting that advertising has made great strides recently to help more people get into the industry. I've seen individual companies do their bit, and there are now official schemes too. Last year I participated in the APA x Creative Mentor Network Scheme, where I mentored a young person and helped them find their footing. They are now thankfully making strides within the industry. I thought about what I would've wanted to learn if I was in their position, creating a holistic learning experience based on that. It involved practical on-set experience where they learned how to actuallydo things, alongside reading and journaling to get them thinking deeper about what they've learnt. At the end of our time together, I helped them to secure their next job.

These fantastic schemes and apprenticeships already exist in the industry; I'm glad they are here, and hope to see more. I still feel like something is missing though. With an apprenticeship, there's no immediacy - it's a formalised process that takes time and lasts a certain number of weeks or months. It also hinges on knowledge: the person in question has to already know that they want to join the industry or show that they've been in it for some time. And why does age play a role? Of course, those at the start of their careers need the most advice and guidance - the rest of us could use it sometimes too.

Am I ready to propose a great, utopian idea that I hope will revolutionise our industry? I wish! Though thinking about the issue, my desire for a mentor and my mentoring experience made me realise that maybe we need an 'informal/formal' network of experienced mentors to whom anyone can drop an email or a call when they have a question. A 'creative buddy system' that doesn't rely on applications and age maximums, one that's available to all. We could use new communication methods like Discord to connect those seeking advice with those willing to give it. The metaverse may be the right place to make this happen since a virtual catch-up with a mentor is better than none.

I would like to conclude with something poignant. Instead, I want everyone reading this to think about the mentors you've had in your career and the wisdom they imparted to you, or about the mentor you wish you had. Take that feeling and see how you can pay it forward. Reach out that olive branch. Even one small action in the right direction will make a difference. That one piece of wisdom. And you never know what kind of difference that can make to someone's career trajectory. They might be the next Ridley Scott or start the next Working Title. 

Please feel free to contact me if you would like some advice or mentorship; however, please feel free to contact me if you think I may need it. Please. 

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