Author: Nick Lavery

It was in my last year of high school that I first got the idea to turn my interest in filmmaking into a job, and I used Kijiji to find freelance opportunities. I replied to a listing from a wedding videographer, Greg, who was seeking someone to assist him with edits. The work was simple: logging footage, syncing speeches, and preparing rough outlines of the cinematic wedding documentaries that he specialised in. He paid cash, and the hours were flexible.

After performing well on my first few edits, Greg asked if I’d like to assist him on a wedding shoot. While filming weddings did not turn out to be my calling, it was the perfect place to learn the foundational knowledge and skills that I still use today. With a crew of only two or three people, we would run multiple cameras, record audio, and manage data throughout a shoot day that would often exceed 12 hours. It was Greg who taught me the very basics of aperture, shutter speed, and lens choices.

I never attended film school, took media studies, or obtained any other formal training in the field where I’ve made my career. Everything that I have learned about photography has been either self-taught, or, more likely, learned from a mentor like Greg. But, as I focused on growing Take5, there were less opportunities to freelance and to work with other more experienced directors or producers. 

That changed this past week. I was invited to travel with commercial director Nico Gomez to Bogotá, Colombia to see him in action. Nico and I had connected earlier in the year, when he arrived in London to raise his family here. His energetic and friendly personality draws people in, and it’s easy to see why he thrives as a director in his hometown of Bogotá.

From the moment I met Nico to drive to Pearson to catch our red-eye flight he was locked in. Constantly in contact with his production team in Bogotá making adjustments on talent, working with the client and agency on last minute script changes, and putting out a dozen other mini-fires.

With the shoot set for Tuesday, we had the weekend to relax and Nico showed me around his home town, introducing me to family, friends, and colleagues. We got an early night on Monday, and agreed that I would arrive to the first location at 9AM, in time to see the first shots. 

Uber had other plans for me, and when my driver said “ya llegamos” (we’ve arrived), I looked out the window to see a part of the city that Nico hadn’t shown me, and not a camera crew in sight. I had gone to Carrera 7a # 37-04 in south Bogotá, when I should have been at the same address in north Bogotá. 

Concerned comments from Nico’s colleagues when I arrived on set explained why I had not seen the area on any tourist guides.

The shoot itself was a great experience, and left me feeling reinvigorated about our own projects back in Canada. It was interesting to see the differences, but also the similarities between Nico’s shoot and our typical production. The crew of more than 50 was much larger than the crews I work with – the catering team alone was as large as our typical crew! And the way the art team completely transformed a location into an eyewear store—complete with over 200 model glasses—was truly impressive. But at the same time, they also used many of the same lights, specialty lenses, and even the Dana Dolly that we often use on our projects.

My last night in Bogotá was about as “authentic” an experience as one could find. Nico and I started the night with a number of directors, producers, and their agency clients at an “arcade” called Frog Bolirana Club. Bolirana is a Colombian arcade game similar to skee-ball. After several rounds of intense competition, a group of us carried on to a dive bar where 10 beers and a mickey of aguardiente could be had for $25. After a night of drinking and dancing, I was glad for an afternoon flight back to Canada. 

I look forward to returning one day to take in more of what Colombia has to offer. But for now, to the wonderful people I met, and to my gracious host: Con gratitud, nos vemos pronto. 

March is Women’s History Month. It’s a great time to celebrate and honor the contributions of all women in the creative industry.

This year’s Women’s History Month theme is “Invest in women – accelerate progress” which resonates profoundly with our commitment to advancing women empowerment.

There’s no doubt that the creative sector – whether it’s corporate production, design, or film – is historically male-dominated, with very little gender diversity.

However, the industry is not without trailblazing pioneers who paved the way for more women to take up creative roles – from creative directors to choreographers and scriptwriters. According to recent data, 42% of the workforce in the creative industry currently identifies as female. In 2008, that figure was just 3%.

Here at Take5 Digital, we spotlight dynamic women creatives in our team who are using their talents to inspire others and deliver success to our clients.

First, let’s meet Laura Rondon. She is a multidisciplinary creative at Take5.

Laura excels both behind the lens, and in the editing suite. She works on projects from the creative development phase through to production and post-production. Looking for beauty and truth in every story she tells, Laura knows how to craft rich, impactful stories for a range of audiences.

Can you tell us about your current role?

When I’m at the Take5 office, I’m usually working on editing and colour grading (I love colouring our footage!). This involves assembling raw footage, trimming clips, and adding transitions, effects, and sound, all while ensuring the final product aligns with the client’s objectives and expectations.

When on set, in my role as a 1st AC, my main responsibilities are to set up the camera, change lenses, and do camera maintenance, which involves swapping memory cards, keeping track of batteries. One of the most important of a 1st ACs duties is making sure that every shot is in focus by controlling the lens with a wireless remote control (this is called pulling focus). While autofocus tech has come a long way, the cinema cameras we use give us full control of focus.

How did you get into the creative industry?

Since I was a little girl I can remember loving cameras. Growing up, I always gravitated toward cameras and started to use them. As I got older, I started learning more about video, and I loved it. I went to Fanshawe to study Broadcasting – Television and Film Production and got a job here at Take5 (where I had already done an internship) right after graduating.

What has being a woman in production meant for you? Has it impacted your career or experiences?

Yes, it has certainly presented its challenges. However, I’ve also found it to be an empowering experience. The film industry is male-oriented, but in recent years, the female presence has increased a lot, which makes me super happy and excited for what’s to come in the future.

What does a typical day look like?

A typical day for me involves reviewing projects, organizing and backing up footage, editing sequences, collaborating with clients or directors for feedback, and refining the final cut until it meets the desired vision. The days can fly by, and it’s a fast-paced environment which keeps the process exciting.

What is it like working for Take5?

Working for Take5 has been a rewarding experience, as it’s a company that values creativity, collaboration, and diversity. The supportive work culture and opportunities for professional growth have allowed me to further grow my craft and expand my network within the industry.

What would you tell other women aspiring to work in the creative industry/production industry?

To other women aspiring to enter the creative or production industry, I would say: Believe in your abilities, trust your voice, and never be afraid to assert yourself in male-dominated spaces.

Although it can be intimidating, most people are very welcoming, and your talents are assets that deserve to be embraced. If it’s what you love to do and the path you want to follow, don’t be afraid to go through it, and never underestimate the impact you can have in this industry.

Plus it’s a fun industry to be a part of, and you will meet great people that will become friends along the way.

Next, we caught up with Meggy Aguirre, who heads the Sales and Marketing team at Take5.

Meggy is an experienced marketing professional with a passion for growing companies and elevating brands through strategic, integrated marketing, advertising, and business development. She works closely with our production team to ensure we meet our clients’ needs.

Tell us about your role?

I am a Sales and Marketing manager at Take5. I was a marketing leader at Uniqlo before joining the company. I’ve also worked at large agencies like Publics and Cheil back in the Philippines. It’s been an amazing journey so far and I’m learning a lot everyday about the creative industry. I am very fortunate to work with some incredibly talented people here.

How did you get into the creative/production industry?

Funny story – when I was still a kid, while most kids would always skip commercials in between shows, those were the ones I looked forward to watching.

I’ve always been amazed by TV ads because in just a few seconds, they’re so entertaining and memorable. That’s how I became interested in studying marketing and advertising at university and eventually made it my profession.

On top of this, my dad, in his early career, used to work in video production. So it’s quite a coincidence that I’m now working in the same industry.

How has being in the creative sector impacted your career or experiences?

I’ve already had past professional roles in advertising and creative industries, and it has always been fulfilling. It means so much to me to see a project through from the ideation phase until the launch — seeing the end product on TV, online, and other channels.

It’s a continuous learning journey, too, because every project is different and unique. So you’re literally creating something new every time. Doesn’t that inspire a sense of pride in what you do?

What is it like working for Take5?

I really appreciate the team spirit, camaraderie, and collaboration here and, most of all, the diversity. Each of us is from a different background, and that’s what makes me confident, too!

Any words of inspiration or encouragement for women aspiring to become creatives?

You’d be surprised at how exciting the field is. The fact that it’s still currently a male-dominated industry shouldn’t matter greatly. Don’t be afraid to give it your all.

No matter how many shots we take to land our dream creative jobs, it will not go to waste as long as we keep pursuing our passions and continue doing what we love.

Take the opportunity to learn from industry experts, aspire to go from good to great, and serve as role models for other women to follow. You’ll see how this unfolds as we continue to do so.

Last but certainly not least, we have Beth Conroy. Beth is Take5’s Social Media Manager.

Tell us about your role?

I help run the social media for Take5 Digital and our sister company, Gotham Studios. It was in my fourth year at Western University that I started working with Gotham through their internship program as a marketing and production intern.

What has being a woman in production meant for you? 

This role has meant so much to me as it has provided me with the opportunity to start working in the world of production.

Beyond the professional aspect, being a woman in production has empowered me to bring diverse perspectives and ideas to the table. It’s been incredibly rewarding to contribute to a more inclusive creative environment.

What would you tell other women trying to enter into the creative industry?

To any woman thinking about joining the production industry, I 100% encourage you to do so. Get involved with what you are passionate about or what is meaningful to you.

It is okay if you don’t know where to start–there is so much learning on set and in the studio. Embrace the amazing opportunities to be a part of a team, the chance to be creative, and most importantly, to have fun.

As we celebrate Women’s History Month, join us in honoring incredible women whose careers embody the sheer talent and ingenuity of women creatives. If you love what you do and want to pursue a career in the creative industry, don’t be afraid to assert yourself and make a difference.