Producing Tomorrow’s Producers: Marick Hermet-Delaunay on Empathy and Authenticity

From cinematic beginnings to becoming a cornerstone of the advertising world, Marick Hermet-Delaunay has carved a remarkable career for herself, defined by innovation, resilience, and a deep love for collaboration. Recently appointed as head of production at LA\PAC, Marick brings over 25 years of expertise and a fresh perspective to the French company.

Starting her career under the mentorship of iconic directors such as Jean-Luc Godard and Jacques Doillon, Marick developed an appreciation for the intricacies of storytelling and the art of production.

Her transition from feature films to advertising was spurred by her desire for balance between family life and professional ambitions, a decision that opened doors to an entirely new creative frontier. Advertising became her ‘technical laboratory’, a realm where she could convey powerful narratives within the constraints of just a few seconds.

Over the years, Marick has navigated the complexities of managing large-scale productions for global brands, including overseeing more than 100 campaigns for the L’Oréal Group. From beauty and fashion, to automotive and comedy, her projects are a testament to her ability to merge creativity with logistical precision. Her favourite campaigns – more on which below – reflect her ability to infuse technical expertise with an emotional connection to her work.

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

Marick> To enter production, passion for cinema and visuals is essential.

The profession demands significant personal commitment, so curiosity, availability, and anticipation are key. Strong management, communication, and comfort with numbers are also crucial. Gaining experience in various roles, such as production management and directing, is vital—understanding each person's work is the best way to bring a project to life. Finally, avoid pursuing this career out of arrogance or greed.

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

Marick> First and foremost, conversations, listening and talking and reading about industry practices, ways of doing.

This is a very practical job. It’s crucial to stay technically up-to-date and it takes a lot of time: understanding how and why a film was made, with what technical and human resources.

Film credits can be helpful, but it’s even more useful to browse equipment rental websites, crew and actor agency sites, and worldwide service production companies. Including sustainability perspectives as well. Then, it’s essential to be easy with always evolving devices such as Excel, Keynote, PowerPoint, etc.

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

Marick> Be patient. Never loose control or hope. Don't be afraid to "get your hands dirty." 

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

Marick> The motto of the company is ‘it’s all about people’. The way we chose who to work with is very much aligned with inclusion and diversity. 

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?

Marick> What has changed is the content and the pace at which we work. We now have exceptional tools that allow us to push boundaries even further. Technology lies at the heart of our creations, compelling us to stay at the forefront of innovation.

What hasn’t changed is communication. Despite all our hyper-optimised means of communication, we remain, and must remain, human beings who need to connect and understand one another.

Another highly positive development is the growing demand for more sustainable production. Changes must be implemented on the ground. At LA\PAC, we have Clémentine Buren, our sustainability manager, in charge of greener initiatives. As a former producer, she understands how to take the first steps. Now a certified green consultant, she is well-equipped to support our partners as they adapt to change.

LBB> If you compare your role to the role of the heads of TV/heads of production/ Exec 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?)

Marick> There are the fundamentals: understanding the industry — which takes years — and mastering various technologies.

But above all, what sets one producer apart from another is the human touch. You need to bring empathy and authenticity to this role, and unfortunately, not everyone does. Believe in your convictions, and don’t worry about how others perceive you; stay true to yourself. Paradoxically, this job can feel lonely when it comes to making big decisions.

Our philosophy is simple: people come first. Through regular meetings, we focus on identifying areas for improvement and implementing mentoring and training sessions. We actively share insights on new trends — whether related to technology, skills, or broader industry movements.

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

Marick> The ability to listen, analyse, and practice self-reflection.