24 hours with the co-founders of Sydney-based film company MSQUARE Productions
Ever wondered what it would be like to run a business with your partner? In this 24 hours with, film production company co-founders Michael Cristian Greene and Mia-Danica Jamora describe a typical a day in their busy lives. Stay tuned for casting calls, emails, Netflix and a vindaloo curry.
5:00am
Mia: Woke up early this morning for a run across the harbour bridge to prepare myself for the day. The view of the harbour before sunrise is a gorgeous sight and invigorates me before I start my work commute.
Michael: Hit snooze.
5:45am
Michael: Woke up for my 6am call with one of our composers based in New York. Gave myself just enough time for drink my espresso so I don’t sound like a zombie. Discussed the progress on the score he is working on for one of our projects.
7:00am
Mia: Make a fresh juice for Michael and myself. Carrot, celery, beetroot, ginger and apple while I check my emails.
Michael: Take a train into the city for an early meeting with one of our clients to review the storyboard for our upcoming campaign.
8:00am
Mia: Got an uber and arrived in our office in Paddington. Greet everyone. Grab myself a cup of Earl Grey. Quickly water the office plants. First thing on the agenda is to touch base with our production coordinator to discuss our plans for the day and our upcoming meetings.
8:30am
Mia: Respond to emails.
Michael: Arrive in the office and check up on all our projects in post-production. Have a chat with my first Assistant Director.
9:30am
Mia: Skype conference call with co-workers in Los Angeles to discuss the television series we are currently developing. Scheduling our film market meetings for the AFM at the end of the year.
10:30am
Mia: Quick casting. Had some actors come into the studio to audition for an upcoming production. Screen-tests and ‘improv’ castings are a frequent occurrence during pre-production stages.
Michael: During the casting I give the actors direction and feedback to see if they are the right fit. The most important qualities for an actor is how they interpret the character they are auditioning for, as well as their reaction to our responses and direction.
11:30am
Mia: Conference call with one of our stakeholders to negotiate upcoming production budget.
Michael: Working on a shotlist for the concept on an upcoming production by researching the topic and gathering imagery that represents the creative idea that I’m pitching.
12:00pm
Mia: Watermelon time. I always like to have a container of watermelon on my desk to snack on – right next to a Dairy Milk.
Michael: Grabbed some sushi and my second coffee of the day while in transit to meet with our storyboard artist.
1:00pm
Mia: Walking down to the local deli with the team to pick up some ingredients for lunch and more snacks for the office. We’re a very close knit bunch. Afterwards we sit around our meeting table and eat. When we can, we try to eat together as a group to socialise and take a break from work.
2:00pm
Mia: Jumped into a taxi and headed to the CBD and discussed an upcoming production with a client.
Michael: Meeting with our cinematographer to scout locations and recce for an upcoming shoot.
3:30pm
Mia: Rushed back to the office to hold a team brainstorming session to discuss the logistics of the industry screening we are holding in a few weeks. Group meetings are a great way to encourage free-flowing thought and creative ideas.
Michael: Working on my directors speech for our industry screening. Also, going through an overview of the event itself and planning interactions with guests.
4:30pm
Mia: One of clients come into the office to discuss their new campaign. Made significant progress.
5:00pm
Michael: Regroup with Mia – discussing our day and addressing any concerns about the projects we are working on together, also putting together an agenda for the following week.
6:00pm
Mia: Michael and I jump on a Skype conference call with our team in the UK who handle a few of our productions, sound design and the score for our upcoming film.
8:00pm
Mia: Peak-hour commute back to our home in Milsons Point. While I’m in the car I love to call my family, it’s a good break from my busy day. It’s very important to me to keep in touch daily.
Michael: Head home while listening to some music – today I was in the mood for some Muddy Waters.
9:00pm
Mia: Time for some yoga in the living room to stretch out and alleviate some back pain from sitting or being on the run all day, while waiting for my extra spicy Indian vindaloo curry. Too tired to cook tonight!
Michael: Sit down and unwind with Mia while we eat our takeout.
10:00pm
Mia: Binge watch Bates Motel on Netflix while eating vanilla ice-cream with extra milo sprinkled on top and sliced banana. Check my emails, again.
Michael: Check my emails one more time. Respond to my visual effects supervisor on a heavy effects scene that he is finishing up for our upcoming film. Then grabs some chips and salsa and watch Netflix with Mia.
12:00am
Mia: Time for sleep.
Michael Cristian Greene and Mia-Danica Jamora are the co-founders of film production company MSQUARE. Their offices are based in Sydney and LA.
These features are really quite strange. If you were anywhere near as busy in your day to day as this makes out you wouldn’t need to be doing this desperate puff piece PR in the hope of winning new business?
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Expresso?!?
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Point taken, Luigi!
Love a vindaloo!
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Yes!
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Anythings got to be better than spending time being a hater mate.
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Congrats guys!
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Nice work guys
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Great insight
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Enjoyed this segment, props mumbrella
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If you look at the track record of conpanies, individuals and brands -constant PR and advertising is key. No PR is bad PR I say.
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The glorification of (not that) “busy?”
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Bates Motel FTW!
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Wow! To run your own company takes long hours, lots of energy and dedication, which you BOTH have! I commend you both for your work ethic, your accomplishments, and the “partnership” you share complimenting each other’s strengths!
BTW, Michael (Mikey) you STILL eat chips & salsa! — Some things NEVER change! LOL!
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This was a great and palatable insight into how you can bring fun and light into what people would assume a mundane 9-5 workday would be in an office environment. Also, working in film and production means that you can add a little Hollywood to your everyday. And if you can do that, then why not? I suggest keeping negative comments aside especially if things aren’t directly of offense to you. You don’t know these people nor do you know the kind of hard work they put into their business. Interestingly enough, your comment says everything about you.
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Companies are easily checked. Making your presence felt in the Southern Hemisphere will bring new direction to a close to boring film industry here. Congratulations guys!
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