Producing Tomorrow’s Producers: Learning the Language of Storytelling with Belinda Bradley

Belinda Bradley's role as executive producer for Film Construction builds on her considerable skills in the performing, visual, and screen arts. She was an NZIPP master photographer and has been a cinematographer and director on music clips, TVC's and documentaries.  

She holds a British Ballet Organization Solo Seal Diploma, danced professionally for three years, and was nominated for Best Vocalist in the NZ Music Awards. In addition, she has been a visual merchandiser and designer for leading retailers and a wardrobe stylist for prominent directors in the film industry. Belinda was also a TV producer and copywriter at McCann Erickson Advertising. 

Now she leads and mentors a team of filmmakers, but whenever she has the chance, you'll find her behind the lens.

LBB> What advice would you give to any aspiring producers or content creators hoping to make the jump into production? 

Belinda> Understand the principles of photographic composition. Become film literate. Learn the language of storytelling. Study the masters of cinema and photography. Just like writers need to read, filmmakers and photographers need to consume photography and film. Too many content creators seem to wave the camera around without knowing what makes a sequence work. 

For producers, start with a strong foundation in storytelling as well. Producing is no less creative. Building relationships is equally critical—this industry thrives on collaboration and trust. Network with industry professionals, attend events, and create a portfolio of small projects that showcase your skills and creativity. Most importantly, stay curious and adaptable. The production landscape evolves quickly, and staying open to new tools and techniques will set you apart. 

LBB> What skills or emerging areas would you advise aspiring producers to learn about and educate themselves about? 

Belinda> There is an old saying: "Everything you know and everyone you know will one day be useful in production." So, rich life experiences make for a good producer.

Producers also need to be tech-curious and familiar with emerging trends. You don't always need to understand how something works, just what it can do - then ask the right person. Learn about AI, new tools for content creation, and virtual production techniques. Every project is like a coffee-table puzzle. You turn the pieces over and over until they fit, and sometimes, solving that puzzle requires fresh, innovative thinking. And that new technology might provide the answer. 

LBB> What was the biggest lesson you learned when you were starting out in production - and why has that stayed with you? 

Belinda> Producers are people who make things happen. Projects rarely go exactly as planned, and being able to pivot without losing focus is a crucial skill. That lesson has stayed with me because production is inherently unpredictable—whether it’s dealing with last-minute changes or navigating a client’s evolving vision. Flexibility and problem-solving define successful producers.

LBB> When it comes to broadening access to production and improving diversity and inclusion, what are your team doing to address this? 

Belinda> The Film Construction roster is always on the move, and we are always on the lookout for photographers and directors who add diversity. Our team has a mix of ages, genders, racial backgrounds, and orientations. And it is from the content creators that real diversity in content can emerge.

We have supported personal projects and short films by members of our roster that drive that diversity. Our casting briefs to clients always stress the need for a broad mix to reflect the whole community, not just one pluralistic approach.

LBB> And why is it an important issue for the production community to address? 

Belinda> You are what you eat. Production shapes the stories and images that our culture consumes. If the people creating content don’t reflect the diversity of the audience, the stories become one-dimensional. Diversity fosters creativity and connection—it’s a moral imperative. 

There are young people getting into production who maybe don’t see the line between professional production and the creator economy, and that may well also be the shape of things to come.

LBB> What are your thoughts about that? Is there a tension between more formalised production and the ‘creator economy’ or do the two feed into each other? 

Belinda> The creator economy and formalised production increasingly overlap. Creators are pushing the boundaries of storytelling and format, inspiring traditional production teams to innovate. Yes, there is a tension, but I also see opportunity. Both sides feed into each other: creators bring raw, authentic content, while traditional practitioners offer polished execution.

But as I said earlier, I would stress learning the fundamentals. Understand the principles of photography and filmmaking before you break them. Picasso and Kandinsky painted realistic images before they moved to abstraction. Earn the right to break the rules. 

LBB> If you compare your role to the role of executive producers when you first joined the industry, what do you think are the most striking or interesting changes (and what surprising things have stayed the same)?

Belinda> Compared to when I started, today’s executive producers juggle more than just content creation—they’re now strategic thinkers who integrate branding and social media strategies into their workflows. What’s surprising is that the core of the role—leadership, talent spotting, vision, and the ability to rally a team—remains unchanged. 

LBB> When it comes to educating producers, how does your agency like to approach this? (I know we’re always hearing about how much easier it is to educate or train oneself on tech etc, but what areas do you think producers can benefit from more directed or structured training?) 

Belinda> I’ve never taken a professional course. My only qualification is my British Ballet Organisation Solo Seal. .Producers need to learn on the job with seasoned mentors to provide real-world insights.

Training in leadership, client management, and storytelling ensures they develop holistically. Technical tools can be mastered online, but interpersonal skills—like collaboration, communication and trust— come from your life experience. 

LBB> It seems that there’s an emphasis on speed and volume when it comes to content - but where is the space for up-and-coming producers to learn about (and learn to appreciate) craft? 

Belinda> Yes, there’s immense pressure to deliver content quickly. But quality often takes time and control. That is what differentiates content that’s memorable from forgettable junk content. I believe craft can streamline the process and provide efficiencies for fast turnaround projects.

Hopefully, through ambition and curiosity, emerging producers will always be pushing for their latest piece of work to be better than the last. There is a real danger, though, that budget, timelines and deliverables are so unrealistic that we are creating a downward spiral of quality content. 

LBB> On the other side of the equation, what’s the key to retaining expertise and helping people who have been working in production for decades to develop new skills? 

Belinda> It’s a cliché to say that we are lifelong students - but it is true that we must be in the continuous learning business. It is a two-way exchange - our veterans share their wisdom, while also learning from younger colleagues about trends and technologies reshaping the industry. But sometimes it’s the other way around 

LBB> Clearly there is so much change, but what are the personality traits and skills that will always be in demand from producers?

Belinda> Adaptability, communication, talent scouting, and leadership will always be in demand. Producers need to understand the game and invent new moves to keep the process evolving. They also need to inspire confidence, solve problems under pressure, and unite teams with a shared vision. Above all, a passion for making work they are proud of will keep producers relevant, no matter how much the industry changes. Oh, and they also need an iron gut.