Meet Your Makers: Keeping All Parties Happy with Angie Cheung

LBB> What first attracted you to manufacturing – and is it an industry you’ve always worked in or did you come to it from another field?

Angie> My first job was in the fashion industry doing shopping in Japan, then I met a cinematographer at a party who introduced me to television production. I find it fun not to work a regular schedule and always meet different people.

LBB> What was your first role in the world of production and how did that experience influence your view of production and the way you developed your career?

Angie> My first role was casting, it was fun at first but it became tiring as I needed to do street casting almost every day. Soon after, I worked at another production house as a PA.

LBB> How did you learn to be a producer?

Angie> I started learning when I was a PA, my boss was a producer before he was a director, so he taught me all the steps to being a good producer.

LBB> Looking back at the beginning of your career, can you tell us about a production that you really had to delve into and that really helped you grow as a producer?

Angie> There was a filming in Inner Mongolia of China where we had to work with hundreds of talents with ancient period horses, the preparation time was more than 6 months and the Chinese team was not easy to communicate about 30 years ago. This job made me know that communication is very important and one should not trust before seeing the facts, teamwork is also very important.

LBB> A good producer should be able to produce for any medium, from film to events to digital experience. Do you agree or disagree with this statement? Why why not?

Angie> I agreed because it’s a digital world now, we need to know the knowledge at least.

LBB> What is your favorite thing about producing and why?

Angie> Team spirit and work with heart, all departments have their specialties. It’s wonderful to make something together to meet the requirements of a director or client.

LBB> How has production evolved since the start of your career?

Angie> It’s changed a lot haha! In terms of budget and schedule. Budgets are lower, deadlines are tighter but the requirements are the same

LBB> And what has stayed the same?

Angie> There are always good designers, costumes and directors.

LBB> What do you think is the key to being an effective producer – and is it something that is innate or something that can be learned?

Angie> I think it’s both. If you can’t accept the stressful nature of the job, then it’s impossible to be a producer, but we all learn from the experience.

LBB> Which production project during your career are you most proud of and why?

Angie> Actually there were a few, one of them was for AXA insurance which involved working with a foreign manager, the client was very happy during the first assembly, nothing to change at all and all parts are happy.

LBB> And in terms of recent work, which projects have struck you as particularly exciting or presented particularly interesting production challenges?

Angie> It was MGM in Macau, we are shooting with a drone inside and outside the hotel, because there is no crew or equipment in Macau, so we have to ship everything including a crew of production, talent, wardrobe, props, the final product was very beautiful.

LBB> Producers always have the best stories. What’s the trickiest/craziest situation you’ve found yourself in and how did you get out of it?

Angie> There was a job we had to do in the mountains of Nepal with snow, we had many meetings with a local team on how to transport everything up to the mountain, especially since we have a plateau there . The locals had to transport everything on foot, which was incredible. Anyway, the day before filming the mountain’s confirmed snow was gone, so we had to find another mountain immediately. It was very difficult and lucky that the agency and the client were very reasonable and understanding.

We got there in the end… during preparation the director got seriously ill, a producer got electrocuted, lots of meetings on the routes that lead to the mountain, luckily we had a good team that worked together and solved All the problems.

LBB> What are your personal ambitions or aspirations as a producer?

Angie> To achieve good quality within budget, ensuring all parties are satisfied.

LBB> As a producer, your brain must have a never-ending “to-do” list. How to turn off? What do you do to relax?

Angie> I I switch to airplane mode while I sleep now and I always make time to have good food and drinks with good friends. I also like traveling and meditations which can help me relax.

LBB> Producers solve problems. What personally fuels your curiosity and drive?

Angie> Patience and calm are very important, I like my job which does not only consist of working without passions, I will be happy when the work is finished especially if others are happy, this can push me to continue.

LBB> What advice would you give to people interested in becoming a producer?

Angie> You need to be flexible, calm, think about the best way to work with the right person and also find a balance between finances and quality.

LBB> In your experience, what are the ingredients for successful production?

Angie> Good production teams, it’s not just one person who can make it happen.

LBB> What is the key to a successful production-customer relationship?

Angie> Understanding, patience and helpfulness

LBB> Producers are naturally involved – they have to be. How do you balance this in the more managerial role of a PE?

Angie> EP is like a mother, she knows the situation of her children. If they need more money and time, they will try to solve the problem together.