Guy de Beaujeu (Hn 85)

Guy is an independent British film producer and writer, best known for Journey’s End. He is currently writing a feature film for a German production company, developing a multimedia film experience around Handel’s Messiah and pitching a series about jeweller to the Romanovs, Carl Faberge.

My first piece of advice is choose a different career, BUT, if you really want to…..

How did you get started in your career?

I wanted to be a writer but didn’t feel this was an ‘acceptable’ or realistic way to earn a living, so I went into PR and advertising. I had an early mid-life crisis in my late 20s, chucked in my job and decided I’d make movies after all. I moved to Bristol, set up a corporate and training video business and started writing short films and then shot my first low budget film in the city. I became a producer by default – I raised the finance ergo I was the producer. The first proper film set I went on was the one I had helped finance. 

What are the qualifications/skills needed for your role?

Tenacity, self-belief, control-freakery, compassion, empathy, ability to be both a team player and when necessary, a lone wolf. Decent understanding of law and accountancy is useful. As is an understanding of how the film business works in its entirety. You need to be an optimist, be prepared for abject failure, deep lows, occasional highs and a peripatetic income stream (trickle might be a better expression). There are no real rules or career progressions to be an independent producer, which is both a blessing and frustrating. Work with an old hand, voraciously consume information about the wider business, create an eco-system, start as a runner and bug the producers about what they do. Seek out irresistible ideas and scripts and be brave enough to pitch them, well and with belief. Don’t be timid.  

Why you decide to volunteer as an OW Industry Rep?

The smoke and mirrors of film (and TV) production puts off many potential recruits to the industry – I am keen to encourage a wide range of different people to consider film as a career by demystifying the industry. the film business is not like many other industries – there aren’t definitive careers paths; there are a huge number of different roles, including law, accountancy, driving, security and location management alongside traditionally recognised creative, producing and craft roles. Often GCSE, A Level and Uni choices are less important than verve, drive, awesome creativity and determination.

Why should people come along to a networking session hosted by Wellington?

These events give you a chance to look under the bonnet of industries you THINK you know, in a relaxed, friendly and fun environment with people who can often be quite influential in their fields. There’s no hard sell and the guests are there because they genuinely want to help you decide what to do and how to do it. (Visit the Events page to see our upcoming networking events!)

To hear more from Guy about the film industry and creative careers, you can watch his recorded session here: wellycom.net/session/guy-de-beaujeu-hn-85-independent-film-producer-fluidity-films/