With the recent addition of Wayne Blair, celebrated director of The Sapphires along with directors, Olivia Altavilla, Aimée-Lee Xu Hsien and Amber Mealing, The Producers are reaffirming their reputation as a boutique production house who pride themselves on doing things differently.
That story started ten years ago when producer duo, Tanya Spencer and Noelle Jones, set out to create a production company that was genuinely diverse and championed a collective approach to creating great work. The vision was based on a place that felt more like family (in a good way) with everyone contributing in a supportive and inclusive environment that did away with the hierarchies and silos of the traditional production company.
That has never changed. “We don’t want to grow too big as we feel it’s important to stay connected to our directors,” Jones stated.
The Producers’ commitment to the idea, to collaboration and to thinking differently has led the production company to create some outstanding work.
Director, Mitch Kennedy who was there from the very start, explains, “When I met Tanya and Noelle it was clear they had such a strong vision for what a production company should be – totally open and collaborative. They wanted the directors to work together like a creative collective, sharing ideas with one another, championing each other’s successes and always trying to make better work.”
At the heart of this approach was finding the right people. From the beginning, they curated a roster of interesting, diverse creative voices who could bring something fresh to the table and had a passion for working with this more open, collaborative vision. Victoria Conners joined the team as executive producer and co-owner after they opened their Melbourne office, and they became more ambitious in the scale and scope of work they were bidding on.
The Producers mantra has always been “how can we make this happen?”
“We love it when our directors push us creatively because it helps to find a better way to do things,” Conners added.
As the team grew, they remained true to that passion for creating great work through collaboration, always looking for a fresh angle or a new thought that best serves the idea. Older directors helped younger directors. Everyone was supported. This wasn’t just empty talk either. Tanya, Noelle, Victoria and new executive producer, Aborah Buick, are all super experienced hands-on producers who would do whatever it takes to make great work.
“I’ve seen Tanya negotiate with Dingo hunters in the middle of the outback. Noelle let me completely destroy an entire level of an empty office, before restoring it overnight. And Victoria didn’t blink when I said we needed to transport a $20 million racing car to the oil covered Newport Railway Yard for a 5am call. Their unwavering support is what makes this company feel like family,” Kennedy commented.
Director, Amber Mealing, commented, “I’ve never felt this supported – there are constant networking and creative events, constant communication.”
Maybe a company owned and run by women with a very diverse and eclectic roster of talent, from established feature film directors through to young disruptors, keen to make an impact is worth a deeper look?
