My Journey To Sky Production Services – #6: Vickie Mansell (Post Producer)

How It Started

What was your first ever job?

I started as an account assistant, and my first full time role in media was working in Film Finance for the BBC’s Film Unit at Ealing Studios. It opened the doorway for me to move into the Film Operations department, where my role there was to set up film & PSC crews, oversee the film rushes management and organise film editors along with audio mixes for Music and Arts programming.

Those formative years at Ealing Studios were the best start in the industry. I was exposed to all elements of the Film and TV production process and was lucky to meet and work alongside some extraordinary people. However, with the development and integration of digital PSC cameras and non-linear editing, the film unit merged into other areas and this is when I started working in Post Production.

What brought you to Sky?

My Post Production career has taken me on an amazing journey, working on studio productions at the BBC’s Television Centre with Comedy and Light Entertainment, a Soho facility, video distribution with Columbia TriStar, Warner Brothers & Universal Pictures, and a Sports facility.

Having spent a few years working in Cardiff, the Tardis returned me back to blighty, joining Sky and the SPS bookings team in 2012.

How has your role evolved over the years?

As the work within SPS has evolved so has my role. I’m now post producing some fantastic Sky output, including Sky One’s flagship shows such as ‘A League of Their Own’, ‘The Russell Howard Hour’ and comedy scripted content with ‘Hitmen’ and ‘Urban Myths’.

What were your biggest professional challenges and how did you overcome them?

There are always challenges in Post Production, which is part of what motivates me in my role. All projects have problems and you can generally find a solution one way or another.

There was one project that surprised me way back in the day. Being a 90min factual documentary, it should have been “textbook”, meeting delivery two weeks prior to TX. This straightforward programme evolved into the most problematic project I’ve ever experienced. It not only had many technical complications but was compounded by legal issues which impacted the production team, whose internal relations become quite toxic. As the wheels continually fell off their cart, creating two missed weddings, an inordinate amount of overtime exhausting goodwill all round, it was only sheer professionalism and dedication to the job, that saw the Post team pull together, rise to the challenge, and ensure the project was completed with success. However, this was not before predicting they would ultimately need lines booked for a “live to air” broadcast. This was a good example where experience overcomes adversity, so yes, the programme was transmitted from a machine room some 150 miles away from their broadcast centre. A project I never want to see a repeat of!

Likewise, there have been many achievements along the way, but it’s the challenges on that journey that can also lead you towards great professional achievements, and it was no mean feat that the above programme was broadcast.

How It's Going

What does your day to day work life look like?

My day to day can change depending on the projects I’m currently working across. However, my main responsibility when post producing is being the single point of contact for the productions and post teams, to manage and oversee their smooth running through post production, troubleshooting along the way to ensuring the content is delivered successfully to the clients’ and Sky’s brief.

Often I’ll be working across many projects simultaneously, this can include a fast turnround weekly Comedy, or a longer form Studio Entertainment show or Scripted Comedy series; the dynamics change with each project and involves a great deal of communication with the post production talent, Indie production teams, commissioning and compliance teams at Sky, as well as collaborating with external studios and facilities.

Currently, I’m setting up a new weekly entertainment show, putting together a quote, schedule, and team for the post production along with discussing the workflows for media management. Alongside this, I’m managing rushes coming in from a shoot for a different UHD/HDR project whilst ensuring the next episode is picture locked to meet their schedule, so I can subsequently help guide this episode through the Grade, Online Edit and Audio Mix in final post. In the background I’m also tying up the loose ends of another project that recently completed, arranging the final costs and deliverables.

The role is varied and to give excellent customer service, the need to understand the technical post processes, and how it interconnects with the craft teams and resources management is essential. To achieve my goals successfully I constantly engage with the teams, often absorbing info they may not feel is relevant, but it all helps me pro-actively manage my projects from start to end, so our productions can be rest assured that I’m across all things post production on their behalf.

What’s been your SPS career highlight and why?

There are many highlights from my time at SPS, but I think securing our first scripted series was a real highlight. It was a testament to all the hard work and investment that SPS Post Production have put in over the last few years building on what was already a great slate of work. SPS has continuously invested in its people and technology, and this is a real affirmation of the ongoing trust and belief that productions have in what we offer. Plus, I like to believe I may have played a small part in helping achieve this, although I will add it’s because we do it brilliantly!

What can you see yourself doing next?

I really enjoy working in Post Production and thrive on the challenges each project brings so I don’t foresee that changing much anytime soon, so more of the same “helping to keep the wheels on the cart!”

How It Can Be Done

What are your top 3 tips for becoming a Post Producer?

• Multi-tasking is a must but be sure to keep a cool head and always expect the unexpected!
• Listen to, respect, understand but most of all appreciate the talents of the post teams you’re working alongside, the key to the success of any project is teamwork.
• Be a good communicator, and be honest with no BS, and remember reputation is everything.

What would you tell your 16-year-old self?

In years to come when a “textbook” 90min factual documentary lands on your desk, take a sabbatical!