5 Minutes With... Production Manager Sakshi Gaur

Did you always aspire to work in the VFX industry?

When I was a kid I wanted to be a doctor, and then I wanted to be an engineer, but when I got to High School I realised I wanted to be in the VFX Industry.

At the time, me and my friends were starting to explore VFX after the film Avatar came out at the time and everyone was fascinated with how it was made. After that I was like okay, I want to work in this industry also everyone I knew was doing engineering at that time, so I wanted to do something different.

Can you give us an overview of how you came to work in VFX production?

In the last semester of my final year at my VFX course, everyone was applying for different VFX roles but mainly for the artist side of the industry instead of the Production side and so I applied for both as I wasn’t sure.

Luckily, an Advertising/Production agency in Mumbai got in touch and offered me a Production Assistant Internship so I went there and I was able to work on set as an Assistant Director and looked after the post-production for the projects we worked on.

After doing this job for a few months, it made me realise that Production was the direction I wanted to take within the VFX Industry!

In your opinion, what makes a good Production Manager?

To be patient, good with people and able to think on your feet. But also, you must keep on people’s toes and make sure everything is running smoothly and have the confidence in yourself and team.

Having always lived in a small town, when I moved to the city in my higher education and jobs, I had to stand out and coming into Production where it was mainly men at the time, I had to have confidence in myself and what I was doing.

What brought you to Outpost?

When I left the Advertising/Production agency in Mumbai, I then went to a video post-production company as a Production Coordinator and after that I worked as a Line Producer where I learnt a lot.

From there I went onto MPC Bangalore where I was able to get more global exposure and experience which is where I heard about Outpost. An ex-colleague who was working remotely at Outpost in Mumbai got in touch and told me more about the new facility that was being planned and how great a place Outpost is to work.

When I began seeing more job roles appearing and one for a Production Manager came up, I knew I had to get it. I didn’t want to miss out on the opportunity to work at Outpost as I think this company is going to be the next big thing for VFX, especially in India. It has been an awesome journey so far and the best company I have worked for.

You’ve had to work remotely whilst working at Outpost in Mumbai, how has that been for you and the rest of the Mumbai team?

Working remotely has been a challenge but as I was working remotely at MPC Bangalore for around a year, I was already quite used to it. However, when I started at Outpost Mumbai, it was fresh and different, and I could have more control over how me and my team worked online.

With my team at Outpost Mumbai, I made sure I was in touch with them every day and always connected to them whether over messenger or on the phone. As well as this, we did weekly video calls as a group as well as individually for anyone who wanted it and I feel like keeping that strong communication is key.

However, the artists were already so dedicated to building a strong team and we had a lot of support from the overseas management who appreciated the hard work my team produced and all of that made the situation better.

What would you say the culture is like at Outpost?

Well, I could see from my friends who worked here before how nice the people were already. Then when I joined, I felt encouraged to learn more, to suggest more and they are so open and respectful no matter who you are, whether you’re an artist, or lead or assistant.

Your personal time is also respected, which I haven’t found before working at Outpost. I had to work long hours previously and I never felt fully appreciated. But what I have found here is I have my life together personally and professionally. The work life balance is great.

Recently you’ve made the move from Mumbai to our London Studio. What made you decide this change?

Through my experience in VFX I made many global contacts, especially after joining Outpost and working abroad was always something I wanted to do for more exposure in my career. I’ve always been in the same country but working with different people, so I felt it was time to work in a different environment as well and when the opportunity came up for me to transfer to the new London studio, I thought why not?

How do you think you’ll adapt to living in the UK?

I knew it wouldn’t be an easy thing, but I knew I had to do it and that I could. I’ve always lived in the city away from my family and have moved about a lot so even though it was scary and different, from the connections I made I was reassured at how welcoming Outpost would be and I would love the life over in the UK.

I do worry about liking some of the food… I’m a vegetarian that likes to cook and eat food that doesn’t taste like meat. When I tried a Vegetarian Chicken Burger at a restaurant whilst visiting the Outpost Bournemouth UK Studio, I didn’t love it but I’m sure that will improve, I hope!

What would you say is your biggest career achievement to date?

I would say getting into Outpost, getting to handle a team and being one of the first in the production line. I am very proud of that and when I had my review at Outpost, so many members of the global team from the UK and Montreal made me feel appreciated.

Any inside secrets you’d like to share with anyone hoping to work in VFX Production?

Before going straight into managing, try to listen and understand the work from the aspect of the artist. Be on your teams’ toes, know what’s going with everyone and every shot. Be proactive!

Which project has brought you the most joy to work on?

I was able to work on the Foundation series here at Outpost as well as another project which will be coming out soon. Being able to work on both projects with my team for a lot of its creative journey which was a lot of work and challenging but also a lot of fun.

Finally, some quickfire questions:

What’s the one thing you always keep on your desk?

A bottle of water

You can eat one thing for the rest of your life – what is it?

Pasta

What would be your superpower?

Teleporting to any place and being able to come back whenever I want.

You’ve got a couple of hours to kill – what do you watch?

I’m watching Mum on Netflix now, it’s very empowering for women

What are you currently learning?

I’m learning more about Shotgun at the moment.

Any pets?

I don’t have any pets, but I love dogs and am planning to have one in a year or two

Favourite way to relax?

Lying in bed and watching Netflix

If you could go anywhere in the world, where would you go?

I really want to see the Northern Lights

Pet peeves?

People who don’t shut the bathroom door

Guilty pleasures?

Maggie’s Noodles… And licking the plate after

Favourite song?

I don’t have a favourite song, but I like Coldplay

Last present you bought yourself?

My new digital Fossil watch