Producing Tomorrow's Producers: Jessica Hull on Being Curious and Building Connections

Jessica Hull has worked with advertising agencies, integrated communications agencies, production houses and arts organisations. If it falls under the heading of ‘getting stuff completed’ then she’s right at home.

Experienced in: Integrated campaigns, TVCs, radio ads, branded and social media content, podcasts, transcreation of creative for local markets, photography shoots, app content, experiential projects, virtual 3D events, corporate videos, events and major exhibition openings.

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

Jess> Be curious and ask questions, take initiative and build a network of connections and colleagues you can ask for advice and favours to throughout your career. 

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

Jess> Production is the behind the scenes ‘control room’, you need to be all seeing and hearing, have impeccable communication skills and be able to react to new challenges immediately. If you thrive thinking on the spot and dealing with unknowns then this is the career for you. 

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

Jess> Be on top of your production paperwork at all times, otherwise it becomes a beast! 

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

Jess> Velvet Badger are always looking out for new talent, and have offered a number of internships to give those new to the industry an opportunity to learn and shine. 

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?

Jess> I think there is room for everyone in the industry, from the more traditional production setups to the newer creator economy style roles. There are fundamental skills that could be transferred between either. Sometimes I think there can be an elitist mindset from the more traditional, and a bit of a care-free attitude from the creator economy and this can be dangerous on either side. Incredible content can be created from both sides, and I hope all learn to grow the industry together. 

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?)

Jess> We’re hands on in our agency, and in production that means diving straight in! You’re going to be given lots of admin tasks that you need to take ownership of, create your own to-do list, ensure you complete tasks in a timely manner, and communicate with those that need to know the information. There isn’t a directory that tells you all the answers when it comes to production, so the training is part structured and partly adapted to the best way of completing a task within the set up you are in. 

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

Jess> Being adept at multitasking, remaining calm under pressure, great attention to detail, questioning things that don’t make sense / could be completed differently, and not waiting for all the answers to be given to you. A key skill is to have the ability to always be thinking 3-4 steps ahead of everyone else. If you thrive in fast-paced, changing environments, then producing in the creative industry is for you.