Meet Your Makers: Keeping All Parties Happy with Angie Cheung
Angie Cheung is the founder & executive producer of The Kitchen Film Limited. She started as a casting director into the business till opening her own production company since 2002, Angie has gradually built up her network all over the world.
LBB> What first attracted you to production - and has it been an industry you’ve always worked on or did you come to it from another area?
Angie> My first job was in the fashion industry doing buying in Japan, then I met a DOP in a party that he introduced me to TV production. I feel it’s fun, not working with regular hours and always meeting with different people.
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?
Angie> My first role was doing casting, it was fun at the beginning but it would get tiring because I would need to do street casting almost everyday. Shortly after that I worked in another production house to be PA.
LBB> How did you learn to be a producer?
Angie> I started to learn in my time as a PA, my boss was a producer before he was a director, so he taught me all steps to be a good producer.
LBB> Looking back to the beginning of your career, can you tell us about a production in which you really had to dig deep and that really helped you to grow as a producer?
Angie> There was a job shooting in inner Mongolia in China that we need to work with hundreds of talents with horses for ancient period, the prep time was more than 6 months and the Chinese team were not easy to communicate around 30 years ago. That job let me know the communications is very important that not to trust until seeing the facts, also team works are very important.
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?
Angie> I agreed because it’s a digital world now, at least we need to know the knowledge.
LBB> What’s your favourite thing about production and why?
Angie> The team spirit and work with hearts, all departments have their specialities. It’s wonderful thing to achieve something together to fulfil a director or client’s requirements.
LBB> How has production changed since you started your career?
Angie> It changed a lot haha! In terms of budget and schedule. Budgets is lower, schedules are tighter but the requirements are the same
LBB> And what has stayed the same?
Angie> There are always have some good creatives, suits and directors.
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?
Angie> I think it’s both. If you can’t accept the stressful nature of the job then it’s impossible to be a producer, but we all learning from experience.
LBB> Which production project from across your career are you most proud of and why?
Angie> Actually there were some, one of them was for AXA insurance that involved working with an overseas director, client was very happy during rough cut, nothing to change at all and all parties are happy.
LBB> And in terms of recent work, which projects have you found to be particularly exciting or have presented particularly interesting production challenges?
Angie> It was MGM in Macau, we are shooting drone interior and exterior of the hotel, since there’s no crew and equipment in Macau so we need to ship everything including a production team, talents, wardrobe, props, the final product was very nice.
LBB> Producers always have the best stories. What’s the hairiest / most insane situation you’ve found yourself in and how did you work your way out of it?
Angie> There was a job that we need to shoot in the Nepal mountains with snow, we had many meetings with a local team on how to transport everything up to the mountain especially we have a set there. The locals needed to carry everything by foot which was amazing, anyway, the day before the shoot, the confirmed mountain’s snow had all gone, so we needed to find another mountain at once. That was super challenging and lucky that both agency and client were very reasonable and understanding.
We made it at the end… during prep, the director got sick seriously, a producer got electrocuted, lots of meetings about the routes up to the mountain, luckily we had a good team that work together and solved all the problems.
LBB> What are your personal ambitions or aspirations as a producer?
Angie> To achieve good quality within budget, making sure all parties are happy.
LBB> As a producer your brain must have a never-ending "to do" list. How do you switch off? What do you do to relax?
Angie> I set to aeroplane mode while I'm sleeping now, and always make time to have good food and drinks with good friends. I also love traveling and meditations which can help me to relax.
LBB> Producers are problem solvers. What personally fuels your curiosity and drive?
Angie> Patience and calmness are very important, I love my job which is not just working without passions, I’ll be happy when jobs got done especially if other parties are happy, this can drive me to continue.
LBB> What advice would you give to people who are interested in becoming a producer?
Angie> You need to be flexible, calm, thinking of the best way to work with right person, also need to balance about finance and quality
LBB> From your experience what are the ingredients for a successful production?
Angie> Good production teams, it’s not only one person who can make it happen.
LBB> What’s the key to a successful production-client relationship?
Angie> Understanding, patience and helpfulness
LBB> Producers are naturally hands on - they have to be. How do you balance that in the more managerial role of an EP?
Angie> EP is like a mother, to know kid’s situation, if they do need more money and time then will try to solve the issue together.
