Deborah Doherty, Head of Post Production, Windmill Lane Pictures
Deborah is Head of Post Production at Windmill Lane Pictures, Ireland's Leading picture and sound post-production, VFX and content creation studio. Windmill Lane has been around for over 40 years and creates top-class content, and is dedicated to working collaboratively with directors, producers, showrunners, creatives, agencies and brands from Ireland and all over the world.
Deborah is a seasoned producer and manager with both international and domestic experience and knows how to get the best out of the team, working closely with clients to help them through the process of picture and sound post-production.
Deborah previously held the role of director of Number 4, Windmill Lane's audio division and has extensive experience working across commercials, feature films, drama, animation and programmes.
Prior to joining Windmill Lane in 2005, Deborah worked in sound studios, radio stations and marketing agencies in both London and Leeds. She currently loves living near the sea in Portmarnock, Co Dublin and originally comes from Coleraine in Co. Derry, and is a mum to Noah and Sadie, aged five and two.
What is your favourite social media platform, and why?
LinkedIn for work, Instagram for personal.
Tell us about you and your current role or area of interest.
I've been in Windmill Lane Pictures Dublin for 16 years now, and after 14 of them growing and building our Number 4 Audio studios, I've recently moved roles to Head of Post Production across the whole facility. I have a passion for people, creativity and business and love the diverse range of work that our talented staff are creating for our clients here in Windmill on a daily basis.
Recent work has included creating our amazing CG reindeer for Supervalu's new Christmas 'Share the Magic' commercial, AMC/Metropolitan Film's new eight-part drama Kin, Boulder's My Little Pony: A new generation feature film, Treasure Entertainment's Smother, Jim Sheridan's Murder at the Cottage and VFX on Sky's A Discovery of Witches among many many others.
What do you like about your career or area of focus?
I love and am so grateful that in almost 20 years in this industry, I don't think any two days have ever been the same! I like troubleshooting and problem solving to help our clients tell their stories, which can be anything from a 30" commercial to animated series to feature and drama projects. I love seeing the end product, especially what our team's input has created, working collaboratively with our client's ideas.
What is the best advice you have ever received?
Treat everyone equally, also believe in yourself, especially during times of change.
What inspires you, motivates you, or helps you to move forward?
People. Our team here in Windmill, their creative talent and their passion for the industry and the projects they work on. Seeing them go above and beyond to find the best creative solution for the project and the client is amazing. We have won and been nominated for ICAD, IFTA, Irish Animation awards and even an Emmy this year, which I've been beyond proud of.
What are you proud of in your life so far?
Where I've got to in my career as part of the team running Windmill Lane, which traditionally would have been quite a male-dominated industry and the struggle that comes with balancing being a full-time working mum of two little ones.
There has been so much changing in the last few years, like many companies out there. I'm proud of my resilience and ability to adapt to these changes, both personally and professionally. Noah and Sadie are amazing and don't fail to make me laugh with their crazy little personalities every day.
What is your preferred way to meet new people/network?
In-person every time!
What skills or qualities do you feel have helped you?
Asking a lot of questions and not being scared to do that. Being a post producer and manager in this area isn't something you can traditionally train to do. I feel I'm still learning every day. Teaming up with the right people who have your back and knowing how to tailor our talent to the right client and project comes with experience and getting to know our staff and collaborators and their abilities.
A colleague talked me into doing a 6-month course this year through Animation Skillnet on Creative Leadership led by Fiona Flynn of Montauk consulting and Stephen Fagan of Studio Meala. I found the learnings invaluable and met some fantastic people at the same time
What do you wish you had known when you started out?
That it's ok not to always have all the right answers and that it's not as glamorous as I imagined it would be! The hours can be long, and you need to love the business and what we're here to do.
Who do you most admire in business, academic or creative circles and why?
Our staff and clients - too many to pick from! The Irish Animation industry is booming so much right now, and I love their work. In business, I've loved Sheryl Sandberg's books and talks over the last few years; the whole Option B and Lean in circles are really inspirational.
Outside of your professional/work area, what hobbies or interests do you have or what other areas of your life are of real importance to you?
My little ones are Noah and Sadie, and getting family/downtime with them. I love being near the sea, walking on our local beach. Prior to them coming along, I loved to travel, and we covered a fair bit of the globe in a short period; toddlers and Covid have both curbed that interest very quickly, ha! I love movies and TV and good drama, especially and catching up with friends.
Has the pandemic had a positive or a negative effect on you and/or your business, and how have you managed it?
Both, even though we were classed as an essential service like many other companies, it forced us to completely change how we do business almost overnight. Remote working has proved really successful in almost all areas, even if it was difficult to get used to at first.t.
Do you have a mentor, or have you ever mentored anyone?
I don't have a specific mentor as such. Still, I have had some great support and advice over the years from Paddy Gibbons, the founder of Number 4 Windmill Lane and this year from the creative leadership tutor Fiona Flynn of Montauk Consulting.
Also, from a wonderful man called Frank Scott-Lennon, who ran a company called HR for Better workplaces, he, unfortunately, passed away a few months ago. It was rare to find someone with that degree of human empathy and support and with the greatest of listening skills and connection.
What advice would you have for someone looking to get into the same area of work or interests?
It's not an easy industry to get into, but it's all about hard work and networking with the right people once you're in. Going that extra mile. Be ambitious but also willing to collaborate - most of our work is a huge team effort. Education is essential, but hands-on experience takes it to the next level, try and research companies and people and learn from those who have been there and done that.
What do you feel is the most common reason for people failing or giving up?
Lack of support and career development plans. Or else they just don't love what they do, and I believe you have to.
Is there a phrase, quote or a saying that you really like?
"People will forget what you've said and done, but they will never forget how you made them feel." - Mary Lou Angelou.
What companies, brands, or institutions do you like or do you think are getting it right?
I mentioned the Irish Animation industry before. Their work over the last ten years to put Ireland on the global map has been incredible. But, unfortunately, we're currently working with too many production companies and advertising agencies to choose from.
How do you define success, and what lessons have you learned so far that you could share with our audience/readership?
Success for me is doing my job well; trying my best through such changing times; instilling pride in our teams and the work they do; watching Windmill Lane continue to thrive and produce the best and highest quality content both domestically and internationally; and, continuing to enjoy what I do.
I don't think I've ever been bored at work and don't intend to start now. I'm still looking for an improved balance to work and home life and the new normal with new schools, roles, creches and jobs but it's improving slowly every day.