Behind the Screen: Journey of a Show Producer at Basilic Fly Studio

1.. How did your VFX career journey lead you to become a Show Producer at Basilic Fly Studio?

Becoming a Show Producer was a natural development in my career as a Production Management professional. I started as a coordinator at a very young Basilic Fly Studio in 2014 and then moved on to roles at Prime Focus and Mr.X from 2016 to 2020. These alongside working through the challenges of the COVID 19 pandemic greatly contributed to my professional growth. When the opportunity came to rejoin BFS, I eagerly accepted. I am proud to have witnessed the incredible transformation of BFS from a small team of 30 to a publicly traded company with over 450 employees and global offices.

2. Is there a particular project you’ve worked on that made you proud of yourself?

Avatar 2! Being involved in a James Cameron epic was an unparalleled opportunity. At Basilic Fly, we were fortunate enough to contribute to over 200 shots. It was truly an incredible experience.

3. What key advice would you offer to someone aspiring to enter the VFX industry, specifically aiming for a producer role?

As a producer, primary responsibilities include overseeing complex projects, coordinating between various teams, and troubleshooting any problems that may arise during production. It is important to develop and hone these skills in order to effectively handle multiple tasks, schedules, budgets, and deadlines. Beginning your career at the entry level will provide valuable exposure to the production processes, work alongside industry professionals, and learn the day-to-day operations of a VFX studio. It is crucial to possess effective communication, collaboration, and leadership skills to successfully manage teams, resolve conflicts, and maintain positive relationships with clients and stakeholders. Additionally, adaptability plays a key role in this dynamic industry, as being open to new technologies, techniques, and approaches will ensure your long-term relevance and value.

4. How would you describe the culture at Basilic Fly Studio?

The culture at Basilic Fly Studio can be best described as creative, collaborative, and inclusive. It is a diverse and welcoming environment where individuals from different backgrounds come together to work on various artistic projects. There is a strong emphasis on creativity and innovation, with everyone encouraged to express their unique ideas and perspectives. Collaboration is highly valued, with the creative and production teams working together to bring out the best in each other’s work. The studio fosters a culture of continuous learning, providing opportunities for professional development and growth. Overall, the culture at Basilic Fly Studio promotes a positive and supportive atmosphere that inspires artistic excellence.

5. Can you describe a day in the life of a show producer at Basilic Fly Studio?

Emails serve as the breakfasts of champions. I begin by checking my inbox and schedule at 9 am to ensure I am well-prepared for the 10 am production call. Following this, I collaborate with the production and creative teams, discussing both ongoing and new projects, addressing any issues that arise, initiating bidding sessions with the creative team, and coordinating with the department production teams to establish shot schedules. Clearing any doubts or queries that the team may have is also part of my responsibility in order to ensure timely deliveries. Additionally, I keep Shotgrid ETA’s up to date, participate in weekly meetings at both the studio and project levels, and promptly respond to client inquiries.  However, in the world of a show producer, calling it a day is often a challenge with clients in different time zones and emails constantly at our fingertips.

Rapid Fire questions: 

1. What’s the one thing you always keep on your desk? 

My water bottle. Always stay hydrated!

2. Last present you bought yourself? 

I bought myself a Kindle for Christmas last year.

3. If you could be any superhero, who would you be?

Flash! So I can beat traffic and get to places faster! 😂

4. What’s your favorite season of the year?

Monsoon!

5. What’s a small thing that always makes your day better?

A good cup of coffee or a beautiful sunrise/sunset.

6. Do you have any surprising hobbies?

I love baking, gardening and reading. To try something new this year, I started an instagram page where I document my reading progress.