Going Out
Producer, Casting, Sound and Co-Editor - Millie Longhurst
Writer, Camara and Co-Editor- Zoe Kovacs
Project Summary:
I chose to create a brand video focused on Penguin Books, a cornerstone of literary culture. The concept follows a young woman who, disenchanted with her daily life, escapes into the vivid worlds within her bookshelf rather than going out with friends.
With just myself and one crew member, we brought these stories to life using color, music, costume, and minimal set design, showcasing how literature can seamlessly transition from page to screen. The piece highlights Penguin’s identity while celebrating the power of storytelling.
My Role and Responsibilities:
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Editing and finalizing the film
As Co-producer, Co- Editor and Co-creator I took on a range of both logistical and creative responsibilities, including:
Securing and booking suitable filming locations.
Handling all project paperwork and documentation.
Organising equipment hire and ensuring safe storage.
Tracking and managing actors’ food, travel expenses, and processing payments.
Development Challenges
Crew Limitations:
Due to the small crew of only two people, I learned a lot. The biggest lesson was understanding the limitations of working with such a small team. You can only plan and do so much. For example, as the producer, I ideally wanted to spend my time on set ensuring we were abiding by our agreements with locations and supporting the crew in any way they needed. However, with only myself and one other crew member, I had to perform three roles simultaneously.
This experience taught me a great deal about knowing and respecting your own limitations. While it might be possible to work with fewer people, the quality of both the experience and the final project can suffer as a result.
Camara Understanding:
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As a developing producer, it's also important for me to understand the equipment I’m moving or ordering for the camera department. This shoot was the first time I was directly involved in ordering and setting up the kit myself something I hadn’t done before. I ordered what I believed we would need based on my knowledge of the kit we were allowed to use in our first year. However, with the step up in expectations came a step up in equipment quality and size. When I arrived to pick up the equipment, I was met with far more boxes than I was expecting. Rather than panic, I contacted a friend who helped me transport everything to the university’s front door. I ordered an Uber and discussed the situation with the driver, promising a large tip for the short five-minute journey. After keeping the equipment safe and returning it the same way, I began to understand the importance of having a full crew to manage transport logistics.