My name is Jade Kenny (Andrews) and I am 37 years old. I started my career as a assistant helping all crew and staff when needed on sets of shows. I have been in the industry on and off for just over 20 years. I resumed my career 5 years ago after been involved in tragic accident During this time i have helped many up and coming actors and producers start their careers.
During my years of being a assistant i would attend to those who were involved in the film projects, also i have learnt the industry and have been Executive Producer as well to quite a few film projects in my time. This all led to the start of my career in the industry as I enjoyed it all very much. Over the years I have done various projects whilst being in and out of the industry.
Here are some of the projects I have worked on over the last 6 years: Frenzy, Executive Producer, Unfold ( Short Film): Still Photography, HIV: Associate Producer, Rarity: Script rewriting, budget, finance, Purebloods: Associate Producer, The Great Disarray: Still photography, catering, stunt organizer, safety officer of the day. While I have worked on these films, I am in the middle of working on another one called Deal which I am an Executive and Associate Producer on. These are just some of the most recent films and projects I’ve done. I am keen to do plenty more as more projects come my way.
How would you describe your work as a producer
As an Executive Producer I am responsible for the legalities and/or the finances of any given film project. Also as a Producer I have a direct input into the artistic content of any given film project
How did you get into producing
Due to personal tragedy I was forced to pursue another career path but I found out along the way that this was what I loved to do.
Did you study producing
I am actually self-taught but I have had hands-on experience and I have also studied on my own time. Also I have studied criminology and European / Romanian history.
How do you choose a project to produce
I consider the captivity of the project, whether the script really grabs you or not within 15-20 minutes time. It’s important at this stage, getting the script, to put yourself into the shoes of the consumer. The versatility of the script also plays a big part in whether I’ll engage with a project or not. The professionalism of the script writer plays a major part in it as well.
Briefly describe a few impressions about producing
Common misconceptions about producing are that the money is always in abundance, producing is super easy and that anyone can be a producer without any schooling or any kind of experience.
Do you take courses to improve your craft
Actually I haven’t done any formal schooling on it but I do learn about my craft in my own time, and by working with other producers and such. I pretty much learn more by osmosis
What books do you read
Criminology, Supernatural, European history.
How do you keep in shape as a producer
I keep in shape by talking to my colleagues and going thru with them whatever they are going thru with their productions at the time and giving classes to upcoming actors and producers.
Why do you choose an actor, director or writer. What do you look for
Creativity, versatility in actors and directors as well, professionalism, artistic vision both in actors, directors or anyone else who has any influence to the artistic direction of the film. Teamwork is also a must.
How do you prepare for a new project
I will evaluate the script first and assess the story and if I really like the script, I will look into the details. Creativity, versatility and originality is what I look for in a script.
Explain a creative choice you took on a recent production set
I have been on sets on which I have seen scenes that have inspired me to make certain changes to the camera angles, actor performances etc, to bring the film to its maximum potential.
How do you advice actors to find projects
Promotion, networking, schools of the arts, acting workshops, self-promotion, film industry events.
How can filmmakers finance their projects
Investors, crowdfunding, fundraisers, state-funding for film and television, personal and business loan.
What do you want from a director
Constant contact using any means possible (internet, meetings in general etc.)
How do you prefer to work with a director during production
Study, self-promotion, finding a manager/agents, actor workshops, casting agents, networking
Do you get offers from other film industries
Yes, mostly from the Australian movie industry, but I have had many offers from overseas including the UK, India, Europe, US etc.
What do you think an actor can do to get into the industry
Self-promotion, networking, acting classes and workshops, study, agent/manager, portfolio ( showreel, photos etc) apply to casting agents.
Who is your favorite producer or agent
Quentin Tarantino and John Jarrat as producers and as casting agents, Tricia Wood, Faith Martin, Deborah Aquilla and Avy Kauffman
Why
Versatility, eye for detail spotting potential actors.
What advice would you give to amateur writers around the world.
Persistence. Focus. Confidence. Versatility. Originality. Take every opportunity to learn something that connects with your talent.
Briefly write about my career.
On ‘Frenzy’, I was executive producer, in ‘Unfold’ (Short Film) I did still photography. and while on ‘HIV’, I was associate producer. On ‘Rarity’, I was on script re-writing, budgeting and finance. On ‘Purebloods’, I worked associate producer. On the ‘The Great Disarray’, I worked still photography, catering, stunt organizer, and safety officer of the day. The talents I have discovered are such as John Jarratt, Allira Jaque and many more up and coming actors.
