I’ll Find You by the Sea (2022)

I’ll Find You by the Sea was the most ambitious and complex project of my career, pushing me to grow as a producer in extraordinary ways. The script entered pre-production in August 2021, with casting, crew assembly, and detailed planning continuing through the following months. By the time production was underway, the scale had expanded to involve 57 crew members from six different universities, working across departments like costume, production design, and post-production.
In January 2022, during a critical phase of preparation, I faced an unexpected challenge: while shooting the documentary Islands of Our Own in the Maldives, I contracted COVID-19 and lost my travel documents. Unable to return to London until the end of January, I managed the team remotely from quarantine, ensuring production continued smoothly during this crucial month.
Recruiting and overseeing such a large team required meticulous coordination. I worked closely with university departments and head teachers to assemble the crew, while also managing costume development, location scouting, and securing necessary permits.
The costumes posed a significant challenge. We needed four full-body suits, each requiring intricate knitting, sewing, and mask-making by professionals in different cities. I organised the logistics to transport materials between teams, ensuring deadlines were met despite the complex division of labour.
Securing locations was similarly demanding. We required multiple outdoor spaces—including a basketball court, bus stop, tunnel, and an old London bus—all in February's cold weather. The bus proved especially tricky. The only suitable vehicle was housed at the London Bus Museum in Surrey, which initially quoted £3,000 for three hours. Realising this was unfeasible, I personally visited the museum to negotiate. After hours of discussion, I secured an overnight shoot from 6 PM to 1 AM for just £250, with full control over lighting and the surrounding space. This negotiation remains one of my proudest achievements.
On April 1, 2022, at 4:24 PM, the final scene wrapped, marking the culmination of months of detailed planning and problem-solving. Despite numerous challenges—from managing a growing team remotely to coordinating multiple departments and securing complex locations—I successfully brought the project to completion. I handled permits, contracts, risk assessments, health and safety measures, and budget negotiations, ensuring that every detail was considered.
The project was finalised in October 2024, earning a Cannes Indie Short Festival nomination that same year. This production not only brought together a diverse and talented team but also reaffirmed my passion for producing, leaving me with an enduring sense of pride in our collective achievement.