Meet Your Makers: Why Positive Energy Is Crucial with Damien Whitney
Damien Whitney is executive producer at Clockwork Films, Sydney Australia. Originally founded in 2007, Clockwork Films quickly became one of the fastest growing companies in Australia, as featured in BRW’s Fast 100. It has since grown into an award winning global production company, with offices in Sydney, Perth, Los Angeles, Auckland, London and Cape Town.
Constantly evolving, Clockwork Films has expanded from its initial focus on commercials to the development of an extensive slate of long form projects in the US, UK and AU.
Prior to Clockwork Films, Whitney was managing director in the Sydney office for Invisible Artists. Before this he was head of broadcast at various advertising agencies running their respective production departments. Including JWT in Australia as national head of broadcast and prior to that was head of on screen production at Belgiovane Williams Mackay for ten years. Before his time at DDB in Sydney he was based in London for 10 years during which time he worked at WCRS.
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?
Damien> When I first travelled overseas as a backpacker, I lived with a film critic in London and went to the cinema a few times every week. I was totally absorbed by the incredible British cinema advertising. All the classics, Carling Black Label, etc. I was from Chatswood & had not seen anything like this. It got to the point that if I was going to miss the ads, I’d wait for another session time. At this point I knew I wanted to get into advertising but just wasn’t sure how.
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?
Damien> Not long after I began working at Westminster City Council (and yes it was boring), I was offered a 4 week temporary position as a PA to a senior producer at WCRS. After the 4 weeks, the head of TV, Simon Wells said, ‘We like you, do you want a full-time job?’ I said yes.
Every agency has a golden period and I was lucky enough to join WCRS during one of these periods. I was a sponge absorbing every aspect of agency, production and post-production processes while being immersed in amazing creative campaigns. The directors we worked with were the who’s who within the industry, Jonathan Glazer, Vaughan Arnell, Tractor, etc. The last production meeting I had in London before returning to Sydney was with Wim Wenders.
LBB> How did you learn to be a producer?
Damien> My first agency role was as a PA to a wonderful senior producer and fabulous person called Brenda Dykes. She was a canny Scot and taught me the worth of every line item in a budget. In those Mad Men type days when every producer had their own office with plants, couches, etc, there was a very real and focused process for experienced heads to train the next generation coming through and I was lucky enough to have a great mentor.
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?
Damien> It was a big campaign for a major telco in the UK. They were huge productions with rockstar directors. During the post process on one of these I became pretty concerned about things going off the rails as I was dealing with a director who was, shall we say temperamental. And not one of the directors I listed above!
It all turned out fine in the end but I was junior and slightly terrified I was going to loose an ‘A’ list director.
Afterwards I found out he was like this on every job & my friends at The Mill said I kept it together longer than most producers so it was quite an achievement. Phew I thought but from then on I made a point of seeking out talented people that were pleasant to collaborate with.
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?
Damien> I good producer should definitely be able to producer for any medium. And can adapt to events though I don’t think it so easy for an events producer to transition to TV or film. There is too much specific technical knowledge required that is only learnt over time.
LBB> What’s your favourite thing about production and why?
Damien> I can’t isolate a single aspect so a few of my favourite things are; working with clever people throughout the entire process from creative teams, to great producers, crew, post-production people, musicians, audio engineers, the whole team of people that make this industry tick. Ultimately producing something that is fabulous. I also love seeing the idea go from script to screen and the inherent variety of productions that you experience.
LBB> How has production changed since you started your career?
Damien> Equipment and software from shoot to post, provides us with a lot more flexibility around budgets, shoot logistics and post-production processes. There are obviously more channels & mediums to consider for distribution. Being cognisant of how these different channels can connect in a useful and creative way is crucial.
LBB> And what has stayed the same?
Damien> The importance of good strategy married with excellent creative. A great idea will always be the key to what we do.
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?
Damien> Being able to juggle multiple tasks, knowing if you need to change priorities and always being calm. Listening very carefully, reading the room and identifying the subtext in any situation are all key in being an effective producer. Some of this can’t be taught unlike the technical stuff which can be. Oh, and if you don’t know the answer to something, don’t bullshit. Go and find the right answer.
LBB> Which production project from across your career are you most proud of and why?
Damien> It’s tough to pick just one project I am most proud of but if I have to choose, BigPond Holiday while I was at BWM would be right up there. It is in the permanent collection in MOMA New York. And from that shoot in Saint Martin, I have one of my favourite quotes from my career thanks to the wonderful humour of Kevin Macnamara. 'Damien, if I have to eat one more lobster!’.
LBB> And in terms of recent work, which projects have you found to be particularly exciting or have presented particularly interesting production challenges?
Damien> At Clockwork we have been shooting a lot of virtual productions lately in LED Volume studios. Technical boundaries are still being explored which is incredibly exciting. From automotive to boats at sea, spaceships and other planets, we have shot a huge variety of virtual environments recently.
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?
Damien> Sitting in my hotel room in Miami with my director on the phone to Jelena Dokic and her father, Damir trying to convince them that Damir should fly to Miami from Tampa and not drive 4hr’s to the shoot for a 6am call time. We discovered that Damir really does not like flying. And I suspected that he was keen to drive his very shiny brand new Mercedes.
The night before the shoot they said it was becoming logistically difficult. I was looking at non-extradition countries in South America where I might want to hide should our main talent not make it to the shoot. Damir rocked up early, was delightful to work with and we had a great day. The resultant campaign for Kia was excellent and very successful.
LBB> What are your personal ambitions or aspirations as a producer?
Damien> To keep learning, keep having fun and stay in the business as long as possible! Boy have I jinxed it now.
LBB> As a producer your brain must have a neverending "to do" list. How do you switch off? What do you do to relax?
Damien> There is definitely a ’to do’ list that keeps spinning and so it is important to find a way to switch off. Because I made a foolish purchase some years ago, I am restoring a 50yr old timber sailing boat. I find a quiet bay in the harbour and all my attention is on sanding, painting, varnishing and so on. It’s a great escape. It’s my garden shed except that it floats.
LBB> Producers are problem solvers. What personally fuels your curiosity and drive?
Damien> Knowing I do not have all the answers and it is often a surprising journey finding the right answer or solution. Surprising in a good and interesting way. Learning new things.
LBB> What advice would you give to people who are interested in becoming a producer?
Damien> Be sure that your desire to be a producer is for the right reasons. You need to be positive about this and passionate because for all the ups, there are also tough times like there are in many rewarding jobs.
LBB> From your experience what are the ingredients for a successful production?
Damien> Having the right people every step of the way. Whether the budget is small or large, the time short or plenty, you need the right people that can value-add throughout the process. And really, really not wanting to sound like a hippie but positive energy is crucial. From pre to shoot to post, a positive collaboration allows people to think clearly, creatively and confidently. Unexpected magic rarely happens in tense or stressful environments.
LBB> What’s the key to a successful production-client relationship?
Damien> I appreciate it is a cliché but open, honest dialogue. And while you should be respectful to a client as a client, remember they are just people looking to you for answers, reassurance, solutions or suggestions. In other words, don’t treat clients as some curious entity, they are simply people you have partnered with in trying to achieve the same goal.
LBB> Producers are naturally hands on - they have to be. How do you balance that in the more managerial role of an EP?
Damien> You need to choose the team around you carefully so that you have complete faith in their skillsets. Then you can trust them to do the job well. It’s pretty easy. I have always been lucky enough to work with incredible people.
