This week felt a little like being on tour, visiting the lecture halls of Inholland University of Applied Sciences in The Hague, Haarlem and Rotterdam. I had the pleasure of introducing Dutch and international Creative Business students to my work as a producer.
Each session started with the same question: how do you take an initial idea and turn it into a film that actually reaches an audience? Whether it ends up on a streaming platform, on public television or on YouTube, a lot happens between that first idea and the moment someone presses play.
Using my own productions as examples, I took the students through the whole journey. How do you get people excited about something that does not exist yet? How do you find funding and bring the right team together? And what do you do when things turn out differently from what you had planned? The challenges along the way are just as much a part of the job.
The best part was the questions and discussions with the students. Each group responded differently, giving every lecture its own dynamic. Many of my answers came back to taking initiative and building a strong network. There was a great energy in the room, and I thoroughly enjoyed the experience.
Thank you to Joke van den Oever for your trust, to all the colleagues involved for the warm welcome, and to the students for your curiosity!
Remy Steijger
