Producing Tomorrow’s Producers: Getting Experience in Many Depths with Ellyn Vander Wyden

MCM's EIC, Ellyn Vander Wyden, is an award-winning independent producer whose projects have received both acclaim and distribution. She has produced feature films, documentaries and series including The Weight of Gold (presented by Michael Phelps with Shaun White, Apolo Ono and Bodie Miller), Sell By (winner of multiple Best Feature awards), and The Accidental Wolf (starring Kelli O'Hara).

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

Ellyn> The advice I would share with any aspiring producers looking to jump into producing would be to get a little bit of experience in many depts. If you have the opportunity to work on set as assistants to dept. heads, take it. Learn as much as you can about locations, costume design, the art dept., camera, grip and lighting gear, union rules, scheduling and of course, budgeting. Sit in on editing, colour and mix sessions.

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

Ellyn> I think that aspiring producers have to have a diverse tool kit these days.

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

Ellyn> A big lesson I learned early on was managing expectations and staying in line with the budget. Keeping the scope of the project within the perimeters of the budget and sticking to what is logistically available and achievable. It is easy to make promises to a client or director that become a slippery slope. Often one 'ask' that seems achievable becomes overwhelming because of the trickle down effect. The red sports car then needs an expert driver, a special permit to drive in the area, a follow car with a driver and support, someone to drop it off and pick it up, etc. 

LBB> 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. 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?

Ellyn> I am hopeful that the two will feed into each other. That there will be room for both at different levels of production.

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?)

Ellyn> I feel we are moving producers on and up too quickly these days. A young PA, coordinator, or production manager does a few shoots and they feel like they are producers and can take on the world. Fulfilling the full arch of a producer's job from conception through delivery and wrap is a very big job. Often you don’t know what you don’t know. I hope that I am giving my team the basics that they can build on through their own instincts and different experiences.

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

Ellyn> Pretty much what I just commented on. Slowing down and taking on a part of the job, with supervision, is what I think is beneficial.

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?

Ellyn> This is an area I myself try to work on. Experiencing a new role in the industry is a goal.

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

Ellyn> A producer needs to be collaborative, listen before reacting, have good negotiating skills, be a problem solver and be willing to not be the centre of attention and get all the glory that a director and the talent often do. One of my favourite quotes, "The Director leads everyone in building sand castles. The Producer is the one breaking boulders into sand." - Unknown