Katharine has worked or some of the forerunners in the animation industry such as Aardman Animation Ltd. and Nelvana Ltd. One of Katharine's latest projects was working with Richard Purdum Productions and Tiger Aspect Ltd., on the production of the animated series of “Mr. Bean”.

Brief for Session

1 . Introduction – Project Management and the role of Project Manager

2. Setting up a production:

- Establishing the form and content of the project

- Becoming familiar with the client and potential third parties involved in the production

- Understanding the creative and technical components of the project

- Project potential within the budget and schedule

- Making sure that the software used by all parties is compatible

- Setting up the basics of an office and studio for the commencement of production

- Establishing the stages of production, initial budget and schedule.

3. Hiring crew: Finding people, Interviews, Contracts and agreements

4. Starting production: Establishing working routines with crew, approval stages with crew, client and third party, setting up regular meetings, establishing routes of communication etc

5. On-going production:

- Working methods, procedures, meetings, and approvals

- Paper work: Schedules, production reports, time sheets etc.

- Establishing systems to organize material, drafts, back-ups and duplicates for all communication and production archives

6. Finishing up the production: delivery, archives, preparation for potential follow-up production

7. The philosophy and hands-on-basics of a good Project Manager:

- Organisation and organisational hints

- Communication: compassionate yet firm

- Diplomacy, balancing crew and client needs, working with Creatives

- Communication and importance of the schedule

- Ability to foresee future problems and find alternative solutions - Common problems and how to deal with them