The lowdown on what it’s really like. One woman talks about her work and life.

Name: Margery Bone

Age: 29

Job title: Independent film producer and Head of Development of Tomboy Films

Top survival tip
Have a huge store of perseverance, enthusiasm and common sense; always have an eye for a good story; and try to see the potential in the ideas and people around you.

The reaction
People are usually very interested when I tell them what I do, and they want to know about the film I’m working on: who’s in it and how we are making it. People see the film business as glamorous. It is when it means going to Cannes and swanning about on yachts. But most of it is a long hard slog, with continual knock-backs. However, it’s massively satisfying when you finally achieve your goal. You’ve made it happen!

The day-to-day
At the moment I’m in the final stages of post-production on Shooters, the first film I have produced with Coolbeans Films. This means lots of admin, accounts and preparing the delivery requirements for our sales. I am negotiating music licenses for tracks we want to use, and looking to raise more money. I’m also arranging for screenings of the first print of the film to sales/UK distribution, as well as to the cast and crew. Our next project is on the horizon, so I’ll be working on developing and funding that with my director Colin Teague.

I’ve also just started as head of development at Tomboy films, the makers of the film Waking Ned Divine. Tomboy want to develop their involvement in feature films, so I’m setting up meetings with literary agents and other relevant film companies. Soon, I’ll be reading lots of scripts, and looking for new writers to develop.

The past
When I was young I wanted to be an actress or a writer. I remember loving dressing up, and the idea of writing seemed very romantic. I was always making up imaginary games and getting other kids in our street to play them with me.

Getting started
I did become an actress and started doing TV work from the age of about 15. I kept on acting until a few years after university. I decided I wasn’t really getting anywhere, and began to feel very frustrated about my lack of control. Then I met another actor, who was at film school and wanted to direct. He and a friend were planning to set up a film production company and they needed a producer. I had been helping out on various projects, getting production experience, and it seemed ideal to get involved. So I did!

Typical path?
There are all sorts of paths to becoming a producer. An ability to deal with anything is part of the job, so having a varied background can help. A common route is to come from script/drama development, starting as a reader then becoming a script editor and commissioner. There’s also the more practical route, where people get actual production experience on the job. I did a bit of both, as well as doing every kind of job under the sun as an out-of-work actress.

Skills and personality
Drive is a must. You’re the one that makes it happen, so you have to have that push, tenacity, resilience and patience to get there. Loving film is fundamental. Otherwise why would you put yourself through so much? Producing means you spend a lot of time on the phone and out and about, so it helps to really enjoy meeting and talking to people. You’ve also got to be persuasive, because you’ve got to get investors, distributors, writers, directors, cast and crew all on board and then keep them there. You have to be able to stay calm and solve problems. I find having a sense of humour and a (generally) sensible head helps a lot.

Freedom and control
I enjoy a lot of autonomy in my job, especially in the early stages of finding and developing projects. Once money comes into it, more people have a say. By production it’s also about who owns the rights as to who has the final decision, plus you are working in a team with a Director from pretty early on. As Producer, you should still have a lot of control and autonomy. If you don’t, then you’ve screwed up.

The hours
They vary a lot. Day-to-day is regular - 37 hours a week. In pre-production the hours start getting longer, and when I’m shooting I can be working 72 hours or more a week. When I’m not filming, I can slope off quite easily.

The cash
At the moment I’m earning under £20,000. I don’t think I’m paid enough. But I will be I hope. I did my first feature production on a shoestring, to get into the industry and get the experience. From now on I’ll charge or pay myself a decent fee.

On a £3-5 million budget the producer would get paid about £60,000 for the job. It varies. That also has to cover the years you’ve been in development with the project. It takes a minimum of two years to make a film.

Gender split
There are more female producers than female directors, and both are on the increase. It’s about an equal split of men and women in producing and there are lots of good, successful women producers. I think women are often very suited to producing – we are good with people and can juggle lots of things at once. But I wouldn’t say women were better at the job – it depends on the individual completely.

The perks
It’s amazing when you actually create something that was a dream or the bare bones of an idea – you’ve made it into reality. I also love finding a script, idea or writer that’s really hot, then getting everyone else excited about it.

The pits
There is an endless stream of rejections and set backs, and not being able to get to the next stage because of them, such as finance dropping out, people turning you down or getting shortlisted for a film prize then not winning.

Coping with stress
This is my strategy in descending order:

1. Talk it through with someone (my mum is great)
2. Have a cigarette (even though I’ve given up)
3. Eat cake

Seeking inspiration
Reading really works for me. I also go to see a lot of plays and films. Brainstorming with others is great too.

Life and work
The director I have been working with for the last two years is also my boyfriend, and this can cause quite a lot of pressure. I sometimes see him 24 hours a day, which can get to be a bit too much. Our work-related arguments can get a little personal but we try not to take it home. We’re lucky though – we both want the same thing, inspire each other, and have found working and living together very rewarding. It’s good we are working on separate projects as well some as together. It keeps us sane!

Child-friendly job?
Eventually, I want to work and have children. Although my work is full-on, it’s also flexible because you can control your hours and work at home a lot of the time.

The future
In ten years I see myself having several films under my belt of which I’m proud, and having the reputation and contacts to get my projects made. And yes, I’d like a family and a nice house please!

The Verdict
I know I’ve found what I want to do.

What’s it like doing your job? If you want to share your day-to-day get in contact: Work&CareerChannel@email.ivillage.co.uk.