Meet Your Makers: Why You Should Always Do What You Love with Rosanne Crisp

Rosanne Crisp is senior creative VFX producer at ELMNTL. Rosanne she studied Graphic Design at University which secured her first role in the VFX industry at The LAB at AMV BBDO, she then spent five years at the post powerhouse, Rushes honing her craft and working her way up as a fully-fledged VFX producer. 

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?

Rosanne> I’ve always had a passion for creativity. I studied Graphic Design at Uni and fortunately managed to secure work experience at AMV BBDO during my second year of studies. It was thanks to my Aunty Babs who was working in the finance department at the time and I still feel so lucky she introduced me to my future career. It was a very unexpected opportunity, one I’m very grateful for as it gave me such a broad exposure to the world of Advertising. 

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?

Rosanne> Following my work experience placement and once I had completed my degree, I was offered a running position at AMV BBDO’s internal post department, which was called The LAB at the time. It was here I spent time learning how each department worked and what the different roles within these departments were. I worked hard, made lots of cups of tea and said yes to every opportunity that I was offered. I enjoyed being exposed to the full agency but the craft which went into post interested me the most. Initially I found myself gravitating towards the motion graphics team, however a role became available within the bookings department and I soon realised my people skills lent itself well to the role and that’s where my career as a producer began.

LBB> How did you learn to be a producer?

Rosanne> Definitely on the job! I do believe the best way to learn it is to throw yourself into a project, although in the early stages of my career, I spent a lot of time in each department, shadowing the teams and making endless notes. I was also lucky enough to have worked closely with some amazing EP’s at my second company, Rushes. It was here I really put in the groundwork for producing and worked my way up the ranks. Each producer I worked with taught me a slightly different way of approaching projects, managing them and communicating with clients. I soaked it all up and eventually found a style and tone which felt like me. 

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?

Rosanne> I believe as a post producer you're constantly growing as every individual project exposes you to unique challenges. There was however one project which really tested me, it was a Galaxy campaign for AMV BBDO which I produced in 2020. The project was a full CG and animation execution which in itself was a first for me, it involved complex cloth simulation and animation of scarves which were choreographed to the beat of a track. The project got awarded a few weeks after I had joined the company and bang in the middle of the Covid lock down. Navigating the new team (who I’d not yet met), whilst getting up to speed with the pipeline as well as managing all client reviews remotely, was intense – oh and I was in the middle of signing contracts on my first house at the same time!!

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?

Rosanne> I agree that there are transferable skills with producing that could be applied across all mediums but I also think that if you enjoy producing for a certain platform and you’ve spent time crafting this specific knowledge, that’s also valuable. You have to do what you love. If you have the opportunity to develop your experience and become more versatile, why not! More strings to your bow and all that.

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

Rosanne> I love the process of seeing a campaign develop. Collaborating with the agency and the production company in the early stages and seeing the campaign develop from treatment stage to storyboards, through to offline and then over to post. I enjoy the challenges and problem solving along the way. I find it fascinating to see what direction a project can take and what we anticipate needing from a post POV, sometimes isn’t the case and what we expect would be all in camera, ends up requiring much more attention. And finally, to see it out there in the world after months of discussion and work, it’s a very fulfilling feeling.

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

Rosanne> The flexibility of remote working since Covid has definitely been the biggest shift. When I started in the industry it wasn’t even a question that everyone would be in the office first thing and often finish up late into the evening. Lockdown forced everyone to utilise the tools available to allow us to work from home and I love the balance and flexibility we now have in the industry and that’s all down to Covid forcing us to adapt. Although it’s nice to see attended sessions are back in full swing as they are always enjoyable and we get to see our friends. 

LBB> And what has stayed the same?

Rosanne> Deadlines! Covid or not, there definitely hasn’t been a change in flexibility over deadlines. Everything is always still needed for yesterday and it goes without saying that we’ll always do our best to make it happen.

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?

Rosanne> I believe that communication plays a huge part in being an effective producer. Taking the time to fully understand a request, information or questions and translating that into context for both clients and the VFX team is extremely valuable. You are the connection between both and being able to adapt the response accordingly shows a thorough understanding of the project’s requirements. It also means you can be more organised and direct the team and tasks to ensure that time is used efficiently for the project’s schedule and budget. 

I think there are processes of producing which can definitely be learnt but I do think there are certain personality traits which would naturally offer themselves to creating a good producer. 

LBB> Which production project from across your career are you most proud of and why?

Rosanne> Several projects stand out to me for different reasons, one of the first projects I produced solo was definitely a proud moment. It was a campaign called Pampers Poo Face for Saatchi & Saatchi. Not only was it a moment to dig deep and put my learnings into practice, it also went on to win several awards which was pretty amazing!

Another campaign which I feel proud to have had the privilege of working on was a campaign called Rise. The film was about Iranian women's rights. Although it felt like such a small part I played, the collaboration of everyone involved to help bring such an important, real life issue across and in such a beautiful way, was really meaningful.

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?

Rosanne> Nothing to report, it’s always plain sailing when it comes to post! Not completely true, of course there are hairy situations when it comes to post, I’ve had my fair share of 4am renders on delivery day, power cuts in Soho on early Christmas deadlines and the trickiest place of all - when a Director and agency aren’t aligned! 

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

Rosanne> To continue to make great work and do it alongside a team which shares the same passion. 

I’ve been fortunate enough to work on some amazing campaigns throughout my career to date but I would love the opportunity to get my teeth stuck into some larger VFX projects.

I’ve also always pictured myself working in another country, travel and culture both really excite me and that would be a wonderful way to experience a different lifestyle and location and still get to do the job I love. 

LBB> As a producer your brain must have a neverending "to do" list. How do you switch off? What do you do to relax?

Rosanne> This is definitely a work in progress area and something I’m still mastering. I don’t think as a producer you will ever fully switch off but as I’ve progressed throughout my career and gained confidence, I have found it slightly easier to set boundaries and know what is super urgent and what can wait. Since Covid, I’ve found running really helps clear my mind and switch off. It’s the one time of the day which is just for me without any distractions. Oh and also a good holiday always helps!

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

Rosanne> Be nice, be curious and involve yourself as much as possible. The ones that stand out are the ones that care to understand on a deeper level. I would also say, be patient and don’t rush the progression of becoming a Producer. Take the time to learn the pipeline. Surround yourself with amazing people you trust and who will give you their time and advice. The industry is full of them.

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

Rosanne> Collaboration, trust and a can do, problem solving attitude.