Name & job title:
Doug Russel-Fisher – Production Coordinator
Where do you fit in?
At REALTIME, I work in the TV/Episodic production team, helping coordinate the flow of work through the various pipeline steps and between internal and external teams.
In life, wherever there is good music, good food, or good laughs
How did you get your start in the industry?
Same as everyone else… at the bottom! I’ve always wanted to work in film, but before I started, I was working in the city and hating every minute of it. I wanted something different, so I decided to give the film industry a proper go. With no formal education or experience in anything film-related, I wasn’t sure where or how I would fit, but I was lucky enough to get hired as a runner at a brilliant post facility in Soho. From there, I was immersed in all things post production and worked my way up to the production office, working with super talented and knowledgeable people on some awesome projects in both DI and VFX.
Your superpower?
Connecting with people: I like to find commonality with people in any way I can; whether through humour, shared interests, or just straight up empathy! I believe it not only helps build a better working relationship with someone, but also aids communication, which leads to better understanding and ultimately a better quality of work. It also makes work more fun!
What inspires you day-to-day?
Oh man, what a question! So many things! In a nutshell; the people around me. At all levels, both professionally and personally, they’re doing and creating amazing things, which is a constant source of inspiration.
My desert island film / TV show / animation / game /artform / piece of artwork is:
Anything by the Coen Brothers or Paul Thomas Anderson, but if you had to push me for one: The Big Lebowski
Your soundtrack whilst working:
NTS Radio (if you know; you know!)—whether it’s their live channels, recorded shows, or their infinite mixtapes they have impeccable selections for all modes and moods. It’s nice to not have to think about what to put on, plus I’m always discovering so much amazing new (and old) music!
If you could work with anyone who?
Spike Jonze – director, photographer, or maybe Hideo Kojima, legendary game director!
If not this, then what?
I’d love to work in UI/UX design, maybe digital nomading out of a nicely converted van in some lovely country, getting out in nature whenever I please. That would be a swell existence.
Why REALTIME?
Initially, it was a case of right time, right place; I had been working with fairly basic 2D workflows but wanted a change, and RT luckily had room for me! I much prefer the depth of 3D/CG visual effects work; there’s so much to learn, and it’s always evolving as an artform, so your knowledge is constantly a work in progress. I also really enjoy getting to work in that sweet spot between art and science, where we use equal parts creativity and technicality to basically create magic.
People would be surprised that…
I’m one of six kids (second youngest!)
Advice you’d give yourself if you were just starting out?
- Knowledge and experience can always be acquired; opportunities present themselves to those who make a good impression.
- Don’t break yourself; you can’t fill from an empty cup!
- Little wins become huge victories; celebrate yourself.
