Michał Wilk Craves “Production Adrenaline”
Production isn’t for the faint of heart. Every producer LBB has spoken to highlights how no two days on set are ever the same and that putting out proverbial fires is all just par for the course, even if the fire stops being metaphorical. Michał Wilk not only thrives on the variation and challenges that production presents, he says he craves the adrenaline that uncertainty and unpredictability of the job often present.
His path to production wasn’t a simple one and involved a pretty major setback: getting fired from an agency that specialised in BTL campaigns. The call of filmmaking was just too strong and the owner of the agency, the one who fired him, could see it too - that’s why she also set up an interview for Michał that would mark the first step to his production career.
Guided by a mantra, “Your job is not to know everything. It’s impossible...Your job is to hire the right people that will deliver the result you want to achieve,” Michał is squarely focused on understanding client needs and delivering the best of results as part of an expert team.
LBB spoke to OTO Film’s senior producer about his career journey, the production philosophy he lives and works by, and the week he spent with Mike Tyson…
LBB> What was your path to production - and what was your first role in the production world?
Michał> Since I remember, I always wanted to work in the film industry. There’s something magical in it, something I have always been attracted to. One of my first jobs was at an advertising agency specialising in BTL campaigns. It was a lot of fun but somewhere deep inside I felt the call to filmmaking. In my free time I used to make a lot of videos for all sorts of contests. The owner of the agency I worked for noticed that and one day… and she fired me! At the same time she arranged an interview at a production house for me. “I don’t want to be the one that wasted your potential,” I remember her telling me. That interview went great and that’s how I started as a production assistant.
LBB> When did you realise that production was the right career path for you?
Michał> It just always felt right. Starting the journey as a PA made me crave this ‘production adrenaline’ - solving everyday challenges, materialising things that at first seemed impossible to accomplish. I consider production not as a career really, it’s a way of life. And the best part of it is… it never gets boring.
LBB> What attracted you to working at OTO Film?
Michał> We’ve been talking with (CEO) Jacek Kulczycki for a while and it turned out that we look at a lot of things in a similar way. We share the same values, such as the importance of people we’re working with. Besides, OTO Film is one of the biggest and oldest production companies in Poland with an impressive portfolio of clients.
LBB> You’re OTO’s senior producer, mainly responsible for collaboration with international clients. Tell us a little bit about what your role entails.
Michał> I handle the production process, from receiving the script to airing delivery files. I’m preparing the budget, researching all sorts of references, researching and proposing the right creators for the job, proposing solutions to realise the project, preparing the shoot itself and taking care of the post production process. But the foremost, I make sure that the client feels comfortable and well informed during the process. I’m always responsive and available to give advice or find the most optimised solution for any challenge that may arise.
LBB> Which production project from across your career are you most proud of and why?
Michał> Honestly, I’m proud of every project I was involved in. No matter the scope or budget. Every project is an adventure. Every project is a new challenge. Every project is an opportunity to meet new people. Every project is a lesson to learn. Although, I got to spend a week with Mike Tyson once, which was a unique experience!
LBB> From your experience, what are the ingredients for a successful production and a successful production-client relationship?
Michał> Someone wise once said, “Your job is not to know everything. It’s impossible... Your job is to hire the right people that will deliver the result you want to achieve.” That would be one of the ingredients. The other ones are:
- Hear what your client says and get into dialogue, don't just listen
- Be active and don’t take things for granted
- Production is a team sport
- There are no unsolvable problems, there are just challenges
- Be flexible but always have a clear goal in mind
- Last but not least, be honest
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?
Michał> If we’re considering production here as responding to clients' needs and providing them with the most optimised solutions within the budget they have then yes, I agree. As I have already mentioned above: “Your job is not to know everything. It’s impossible... Your job is to hire the right people that will deliver the result you want to achieve.”
LBB> What advice would you give to people who are interested in becoming a producer?
Michał> Never give up on your dreams and never look back. If you work hard for it, you’ll eventually get there.
LBB> What’s your favourite part of being a producer? And is there anything that you would change if you could?
Michał> Every bit of it is my favourite, honestly. Meeting new people, doing stuff you don’t get to do in ‘regular’ jobs - such as travel through time periods or making a cow levitate. You also get to travel [though space] a lot. Even though I sort of do the same thing (meaning the production process) every project is always different, it’s always challenging – it keeps your brain in high gear. I love it.
