Media Parents

DIARY OF AN OUT OF WORK PRODUCTION MANAGER – PART 2

March 2025 – RECAP

“I started on Wednesday” writes PM Michele Kimber, “The team are lovely, it’s going to be a graft with what needs to be done in a very short time, but am back on the bus and loving it! Stay strong, jobs are coming in, they may not be the long contracts that people are used to, but they are coming in.” Writing for this blog provides a way to reconnect with old contacts and forge new ones, so don’t be shy! Michele got amazing feedback for her other blog!

SPOILER ALERT: PM Michele Kimber and Editor Daren Tiley in this Media Parents drinks throng somewhere - now working together...

April 2025

The job turned from 5 weeks into just over 11 weeks, the turn around for the shoot was pretty epic and having been out of the loop for such a long time it was hard work. At times I really wondered whether I was up to it:  locations kept falling down, getting the right cast sorted to be approved by the channel, we literally found the location and cast 2 days before we needed to shoot. I had to learn new finance systems (oh boy, that was hard!) I almost broke IT as well trying to log on 1) at home and 2) on the shoot.

Three intensive and long days filming  (added bonus on location, dogs – four dogs that just wanted to play, what’s not to love!)  Editing was starting on last day of filming and during pre-production I discovered I was going to work with an Editor that I knew by name and CV and actually met at the Media Parents networking Christmas drinks, Daren Tiley, so always well worth going to events whatever time of year! (and if you don’t feel like it!)

May 2025

Having stayed longer than expected, it was time to go. The 2-part series went out.  We smashed it for Channel 5 on 2 Saturday night’s including against the final of BGT.  Got the highest ratings for the Channel and they loved it.

June 2025

The Channel have commissioned another 2 episodes, and I’ve been asked back, as have the rest of the Production team. This time we’ll be ready for the onslaught, we know what the pitfalls will be (many!) but to be asked back again for 5 weeks, to me is a win.  A massive win, and a total confidence booster.

Tinx the Cat. Still not working.

Cat Update.

He has started to sleep on my pillow from around 6am.  I end up half way down the bed to avoid his tail (for that read bottom) being next to my nose; his paws jabbing my face, and his entire body pulling my hair.  I still pretend I’m asleep despite the above.  Food and water is provided at all times!

To fully benefit from Media Parents join us here:https://www.mediaparents.co.uk/signup/?t=freelancer