Colin (He/Him)
Production Coordinator
In your own words, tell us a little bit about your role and what you do here at the studio.
As a Production Coordinator, I’m responsible for working with various discipline leads and artists to track and facilitate work over the lifecycle of a project.
As someone who studied film in college, what drew you to want to work in immersive entertainment?
As a film studies student, we focused a lot on the history of the medium and its formats, whether that be nickelodeons, or things like the advent of sound in film. For me, it’s fascinating to be on the ground floor of new mediums that are still in their early stages, and to be able to make meaningful impacts on those projects.
In your role, you practically have a hand in almost everything. How do you work across the larger studio to ensure that projects run smoothly?
Slack reminders and coffee. But really, I try to foster good communication with my coworkers. We have so many people that are experts at what they do, and I’ll never have all the answers, but each new challenge presents a learning opportunity.
When building out schedules for your project, what steps do you take to make sure everything is accounted for and can be completed by the needed deadlines? And how do you handle adjusting those plans when unexpected situations arise?
At ILMxLAB, each project is unique, and can require a unique approach. As a production team, we build on the knowledge base from each project, and work across disciplines to bid the work and schedule it as best we can. But even our best laid plans can shift based on the needs of the project at a given time. We try to account for that, and track things accordingly, so that if we do need to shift we can come together as a team and figure out a plan B.
Does producing real-time content differ from working in other forms of entertainment production?
Before working in real-time, my production experience largely came from working as an on set production assistant, and those worlds are definitely night and day. But I’ve found that the skillsets – things like problem solving, juggling multiple tasks, and being able to communicate effectively across departments – definitely translate.
Over the last three years that you’ve been at the studio, what’s your favorite accomplishment that you’ve had so far?
In my time with ILMxLAB, there have been a lot of personal career milestones, and a lot of skills I’ve learned along the way, but I think the release of Star Wars: Tales from the Galaxy’s Edge and Last Call have to be at the top. Seeing those characters and animation sequences come to life was so gratifying to be a part of, and I still get excited when I speak with people who tell me they’ve played it.
What’s your favorite part about being at the studio? Is there anything in particular that makes you excited to work each week?
I’m more process oriented, so I really just look forward to collaborating with my coworkers, and watching the work come together incrementally. Also, being able to work with such hallowed IP is a huge treat.
What’s the best piece of career advice you’ve ever gotten?
Be someone people want to work with.
For someone interested in a similar career, is there a program or class that you’d recommend taking, or a skill they should learn?
There are so many ways to make a career in entertainment. I think the most important things are to set that intent early, and be persistent.
LIGHTSPEED QUESTIONS
What’s your favorite Star Wars movie or TV show?
What do you like to do on your days off?
Cook, watch movies, and get outside
What’s your favorite movie genre?
I try to spread it around, but I love Science Fiction
Where’s your favorite place you’ve traveled to?
El Chalten in Argentina
If you can meet any character in AR, who would it be?
Alec Guinness era Obi-Wan