In conversation with Lucy Wilson

1. Introduce yourself

Hi I am Lucy, mum to eight month old Molly. I’ve been working in the Film/TV Industry since I was 14 and was lucky enough to start off at the sadly now defunct Children’s Films Unit where I worked on two feature films for Channel 4. After working for free for ages (I grew up in London so I could stay at my parents place) and learning how to make the perfect cup of tea, I got my first paid job as a runner on the remake of Alfie. I have worked in a variety of roles since ranging from costume to continuity, casting to advertising, licensing to publicity...I probably had the most fun sourcing extras for The Da Vinci Code.

I got a ‘proper’ job at the BBC for a bit working in the children’s press office on publicity campaigns for Teletubbies, Charlie & Lola and the launch of In The Night Garden. The travel bug then bit and I went to Tanzania where I set up a charitable project I called Mojakwamoja. The project enabled children from Moshi town and a local orphanage to enjoy dance workshops and educational film screenings. This ran for six years & a local Tanzanian couple ran it whilst I worked in advertising to pay the bills and used my spare time to put on fundraising events and apply for grants. It was an incredible experience and one I wouldn’t change for the world.

A few years working in advertising followed before I landed my dream job at ITV where I helped to co-develop their flagship fundraising appeal, Text Santa, managing all charities involved with it. I liaised with editorial teams, assisted in the production of appeal films shown across all ITV channels, and helped the initiative raise over £32 million for 26 UK and International charities. They were five years I won’t ever forget

2. What is your job title and please explain what it is

I am now a freelance Impact Producer on documentary feature films and podcasts.  I gave such a long answer to the first question as it helps to illustrate how I got here! In Tanzania, I was an Impact Producer without realising it, putting on film screenings with Q&As and partnering with local organisations.  Impact producing brings together many of the skills I have learnt in my career to date...as an IP I will deliver a film impact campaign, secure key partners, devise strategy, oversee the delivery of the campaign and evaluate it so I basically take the film from completion to impact (where as the producer might manage the financial and creative process from script to screen).

 3. What have you worked on as an Impact Producer?

I was the UK Impact Producer on the academy shortlisted documentary, Unrest (currently on Netflix) and more recently worked at Doc Society as their Outreach Director mentoring six feature film teams for the European edition of Good Pitch as well as Impact Producing the second series of the feminist Climate Justice podcast, Mothers of invention.

4. Who looks after the kids when you are working?

I had just sorted two days childcare a week right before lockdown. So far it has been a mixture of my husband, parents and sister but apart from my husband, my whole family are freelance which could be interesting in the future!

5. How long did you take off work after having your baby?

I am still on mat leave as I had planned to take a year off and saved accordingly, however I had a few days work before lockdown and have sadly had to turn down a part time role due to not having childcare.

 6. Would you say that you have a good work/life balance?

After many years I can now say yes I do! And I have worked really really hard at this over the years as it is incredibly important to me. I sadly lost two close colleagues (unknown to each other) on two different films who took their own lives within two months of each other which was heart breaking. I have also watched a number of people suffer from stress from pressurised film related jobs.

I am strict with myself and make sure that, within reason, I am working the hours for which I’m being paid. In one particular job, I totalled up the extra hours I was working effectively for free and it was shocking. Once I nearly fell asleep driving to work at 4am whilst working as a runner after finishing at 10pm the night before. However much you love a job and want to further your career, your health and life is not worth risking.

 Most importantly, having worked with a few rotten eggs over the years, it is vital for me to ensure I work with kind hearted and supportive people.

7. Are you job sharing or working flexibly?

I would be open to both. I do like working as part of a team and would love to partner with a fellow Impact Producer on a role and think it could work well.

8. What do you think is the hardest part of being a female working in media/film/tv industry and being a parent?

I am only eight months into my current job of being a mum so I still have a lot to experience but having been involved in the industry as a whole for so long, I have had to grow a thick skin. As a younger runner, I had to put up with a lot of sexual harassment from older male crew which I just used to laugh off. I just thought it was normal until I began to realise it wasn’t, and shouldn’t be something anyone should have to put up with.

In terms of the biggest challenge when I return to work full time, that will certainly be getting the balance right between childcare and continuing my career.

9. What are your tips for any other women out there wanting to have kids and keep a career in film?

I am still new to this so have been looking up to my friends & colleagues who have done this before me, which has been incredibly helpful. Firstly, building up whatever pot of savings you can is a helpful starting point.

But the most important thing is to find some strong female role models who share your outlook and can be a new support network for you. I have been fortunate to find a number of these since having Molly and their advice has been invaluable.

And as corny as it sounds, believing in yourself and your ability as both a mum and a professional is key. You have earned the right to reach your current position at work, and no amount of sleepless nights or ‘baby brain’ is going to remove the talent, determination and skill that got you there in the first place.

10. What advice did you wish someone had given you?

Don’t worry so much, all those cups of tea you made were eventually worth it and things do work out!