Introducing the fourth of MEET the TEAM - John

Producer Life: A Beautiful Disaster

6 AM gym sessions, Venezuelan animators, and why I love the chaos

6:00 AM - Voluntary Torture (aka The Gym)

6 AM sharp: alarm goes off, and somehow I've convinced myself that a 6:30 HIIT class at Rebel One is a brilliant way to start the day. While my daughter and missus are still unconscious, I'm voluntarily sweating buckets. After surviving burpees, I stroll home for some zen time before the beautiful chaos begins.

8:00 AM - Emails and Reality

Post-shower, I check emails with the enthusiasm of someone checking lottery numbers. What surprises did overnight bring? Usually a mix of "urgent" requests that aren't urgent and actual fires that need putting out.

The Great Juggling Act

Currently managing more projects than a circus performer on an excess of flat whites: two animation projects, two podcasts, a docu-series, event coverage, and two case study videos. Each one's at a different stage, like playing paddle while blindfolded.

Our Company Cooks docu-series just wrapped filming in Brixton (we survived!), and now we're prepping for round two. This means I'm simultaneously playing crew whisperer, risk assessment poet, and creative team cheerleader.

Plot twist: I'm also coordinating with our animator in Venezuela. Nothing says "challenging" quite like explaining creative concepts across time zones through questionable internet connections and language barriers! 

The Daily Adventures

I'm about to go on annual leave (the audacity!), so I'm in full handover mode, creating notes that future me will hopefully understand. Currently experimenting with intermittent fasting, so lunch is theoretical, but when I'm not pretending food doesn't exist, there's this amazing little Peruvian place nearby.

Getting to work is its own adventure - some days I'm eco-warrior John on a Lime bike, other days I'm practical John hauling equipment in the car.

The Final Act

Next Thursday: podcast shoot with the NHS Block team. Working with the NHS is like navigating a beautifully complex maze of protocols and approvals. Between that, I might get pulled onto a budget task  (testing my mental math while wondering if we really need that extra camera angle – spoiler: we always do) and dealing with inevitable schedule changes.

Like today, when a shoot decided to reschedule. Cue frantic crew reshuffling while maintaining the cheerful demeanor of a game show host on Who Wants to Be a Millionaire when you know someone is coughing in the audience!

The Beautiful Chaos

Here's the thing about being a producer: every day is different, every project has its own personality, and every challenge is just another puzzle to solve. Between keeping international teams aligned, navigating communications, and remembering which project is where, life is never boring.

At the end of the day, slightly exhausted but oddly satisfied, I can honestly say I love this beautiful, chaotic world of production. Plus, there's always tomorrow's 6 AM gym session to look forward to!

Now, if you'll excuse me, I have risk assessments to write and a Venezuelan animator to video call. Just another day at BearJam!