Josie Connor - Women in Production
Cherry on Top
Our Women in Production interview series continues with the wonderful Josie Connor, a 1st Assistant Director from North Wales. Here, you can find out all about her career and where it all started, the fantastic projects she currently has on the go, and fellow women in the industry she admires.
Tell us a little about yourself and the work you do
I’m a freelance 1st assistant director, originally from Anglesey, North Wales, currently living just outside of York. When I’m not 1st ADing, I love assisting on or producing projects. So far, I’ve been lucky enough to work across the UK and overseas in France, L.A. and Australia. I’ve worked on numerous short films, stage and theatre performances, music videos, a couple of features and corporate shoots.
What route did you take to begin working in your role?
My route wasn’t the usual one...I started out as an actor, moving from Wales to Manchester to study acting in college then drama school. After graduating, I continued working as an actor, whilst also working in production as a runner or assistant. I’d always been aware of and fascinated by the result of good teamwork from both sides of the camera. After learning a lot about production thanks to experience on set while being shown the ropes properly by certain directors and crew members, someone I knew was looking for a 1st AD for a short she was producing. She had never seen me work, but as a result of our conversations, she offered me the role. It was a very small, indie short, so a good starting platform. Consequently, I’d get the random “Hey you” message, asking if I’d be free for work. I was taught about the importance of networking, so I went to every networking event there was. I’m extremely determined (when I put my mind to it), so feeling confident in introducing myself to strangers was no worry for me...Communication, networking and word of mouth got me to the position I'm in today.
Why did you want to get into the film/television industry?
I grew up in a creative family. My mum is a professional cellist, my brother is a professional guitarist, singer and writer and my dad is a professional composer working mostly in the film industry. When I used to watch my dad work, I would see a scene come alive. I was in awe, I felt a need to be a part of that. It was my mum who always urged me to try things out (ballet, instruments, singing, drama) and it was my dad who urged me not to lose the creativity and to be interested in growing and learning more as a creative. My path into production came about when I was drawn to engage with the world on the other side of the camera. Not to cease acting, but to explore all aspects of the industry. When I started working on set, I noticed how some 1st AD’s work (I also realised I had never seen a female 1st AD...). So with that, and how stereotypically, the 1st AD’s can come across as being rude or arrogant and I wanted to change that. You can still be respectful, while being direct and effective.
Bringing Back Golden Eye
What is your proudest moment of your career so far?
While there are many moments I am proud of in my career up until now, I think my experience on a short ‘She Lives Alone’ will always stand out. We were on the last day and had been put behind many hours due to weather conditions. We had 3 very short scenes left to do and only 45 minutes before wrap time. People were mentioning overtime but I have always been so incredibly eager to wrap early or on time. The director was anxious and unsure about getting it all done in time, so she decided to cut a scene. I could see a way of achieving this without the cut, so discussed the situation with the crew and cast about getting it done...We ended up finishing 7 minutes before wrap, all 3 scenes shot, and one of those scenes included a jib! I remember looking back at my schedule that evening and thinking “How the **** did we do that?!”. Amazing team!
What is the biggest challenge you have faced in your career?
As a 1st AD, you always have to be ready to face challenges. I’m sure the majority of 1st ADs will agree with me when I say we have to be ready for the worst, being a problem solver comes with the job. The challenge I face outside the norm would be deciding between a production that would pay more or a production I’m more passionate about. We all have to earn a living.
What new skills would you like to learn in the next few years?
While I'm always learning more about people, and gaining new skills to work with a team or individuals (as of course, I need to be an exceptional people-person in this job), I’d like to gain more skills on the technical side of filming. Personally, having greater knowledge of all departments helps me deliver a better job.
The Desert - Beauty Queen music video
What three things do you always have on your bedside table?
A photo of my family, a lamp and some dried flowers…I really love dried flowers!
If you could have worked on any film in history, which would it be?
I would’ve loved to work on Tracks. I’m half Aussie and one of my favorite places is the outback. That film also inspired me when I was younger. I can imagine filming out there would’ve had it’s struggles, the crew and cast must’ve been absolute troopers.
Could you tell us some women who work in your role/sector that you admire the work of?
While there are many amazing women crew members who I have had the pleasure to meet/work with, the ones that stand out in my mind are Nicole Pott (Director/Producer), Amy Banks (Producer) and Michaela Longden (Actor/Writer), who have all accomplished a great deal within the film industry. I admire the vision, determination and entrepreneurial skills of all of them.
What are you working on at the moment?
After a few months of nothing (a.k.a. Trying to find the motivation to work but actually finding myself watching Netflix and baking many, many cakes), music videos have been the projects keeping me busy! However, once everything is up and running again, and if everything links in nicely, I’ll be working on 5 BFI shorts and 1 corporate shoot. Lots of travelling involved too...London, Newcastle, Manchester, Portsmouth and Huddersfield. In the meantime, prepping as much as possible for those shoots...so lots of paperwork and meetings!
