Profiles

Edwina Forkin, Film Producer, Zanzibar Films

22 Jun 2023, 13:22

Feature image Edwina Forkin, Film Producer, Zanzibar Films

Degree subject BA, Philosophy (1990)
Job title Film Producer
Employer Zanzibar Films

How did you get your job?

I had worked in the music business in America. When I came back to Ireland, a friend who was a producer said I would be good at producing, although I had no idea what a producer did. This friend provided a contact, which led to my first job as a trainee production assistant. I would say I got the job because I was older coming into the industry, I had more life experience and I also had the necessary equipment: a car, phone and computer.

I worked as a casting assistant/locations assistant. Following from my work there, I was recommended to Hubbard who were doing a big job for Bord Failte. This was a huge advertising project and I kept getting work following that.

Another contact led to my first short film. Meanwhile, on the sidelines, I continued to make applications to film boards for feature films, shorts, etc. Then, a contact who had some start-up money asked me to produce the film Zanzibar , the first Irish film on 35 mm. It was a good film and we went to the Irish Film Board for completion money and got €24,000. In order to access the money, I had to set up a production company, so I started Zanzibar Films.

I kept putting in applications for awards (and we kept winning!) and was head-hunted to produce several commercials. When I got development money for my first feature, I quit my job (Monday to Friday was made up of some freelance, some retainers for commercials – weekends and holidays I worked on films) and really went into producing and started bringing in money for features.

What does the job involve?

The work centres on finding products – scripts – and raising the money to produce them, then finding the right distributor to market them. My work involves a lot of travelling to film fairs to market productions – Cannes, Rotterdam, Galway! Essentially, I am running a company: it is a business. The company includes a head of development, another producer and an assistant. Applications for development funding have to be submitted constantly and contracts and book-keeping must be processed, so I also have to be an accountant and lawyer to some degree.

How did your degree help prepare you for work?

My degree was in philosophy and involved a lot of writing – this really helps with proposals. Studying also trained me to meet deadlines, which is essential in my work.

What training have you received?

I have done a lot of European training courses, with Media Business School, Ronda, Spain; EAVE. These training courses helped me become the producer I am. The European courses really honed my abilities and taught me the business. I try to do a course every year to keep up to date with developments, and all the staff in the company are sent on courses.

Advice for graduates

  • There is definitely a ladder system. Be willing to start at the bottom and work hard.
  • It is really necessary to have a car and other tools, not just computers, but good communication skills are also important.
  • Be polite and courteous, and be fair to team workers. Your reputation is very valuable.
  • Always aim for the best standards in order to make a name for yourself. Zanzibar Films was the first Irish company to use 35 mm and laser, and we always aimed to produce the highest quality product.
  • Have a mission statement – that's what you stand for as a company, or even as an individual.
  • Film festivals in Cork, Galway, Kerry, Omagh and Belfast provide great networking opportunities.
  • For interviews, personal presentation is important. Film may have a name as a laid-back industry, but you need to look smart.
  • In interviews, final choices are personality-driven: people will hire someone they think will fit into the team.
  • Be positive!

gradireland editorial advice

This describes editorially independent and impartial content, which has been written and edited by the gradireland content team. Any external contributors featuring in the article are in line with our non-advertorial policy, by which we mean that we do not promote one organisation over another.

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