Taryn Maitland is the senior production manager for the upcoming A&E documentary special James Brown: Say It Loud. Currently managing design, motion graphics and animation at BWA Studios, she has worked in production management for television, film and advertising for over 15 years. She spoke with A&E about the evolving nature of her field.
What A&E project are you working on?
[In addition to the] four-part documentary series James Brown: Say It Loud, our team has also worked on several A&E projects, such as holiday IDs [short ads identifying a TV network] for the network, branded content and my personal favorite, the Biography: You Need To Know series.
Tell us a little about your history.
One of the reasons I enjoy working in animation is I’m a fan of the art form and love being a part of the process of creating animated TV and film. I’ve worked in almost every aspect of production management in television and media, ranging from children’s animation to documentaries.
I’m passionate about the work we do and the impact we’re working to achieve within the animation industry. Before my time at BWA, I worked with many networks and studios, including 9 Story Media Group, Scholastic, FCB Health and ViacomCBS.
As the senior production manager on the upcoming James Brown documentary, what were your day-to-day responsibilities?
Keeping the creative team organized and guiding each step to make sure we stay within the timeline and on budget. Our team is producing motion graphics elements for each episode on an overlapping timeline, so there can be a lot of moving parts with a four-part series. I work closely with our creative director, Buki Bodunrin, and the James Brown team producer, Sarah Haber, who has been fantastic to collaborate with. Together, we all ensure our teams stay on track.
What inspired you to work in this field?
I’ve always been a fan of television and animation ever since I was a kid. Once I learned there was more to working in the industry—outside of being a creative or on-screen talent—I strived to make my impact behind the scenes in the production department. I’m also the de facto ‘project manager’ of my family so doing it professionally comes naturally!
What is your favorite part of what you do?
I enjoy seeing the animation come together from start to finish. We always joke that even the production management team here is creative. We have to bend time and space in very creative ways! But I love seeing our artists develop and create designs, then see them transform into beautiful animation.
What advice would you give someone who is interested in going into production management?
Don’t be afraid to start out as an office production assistant or production coordinator. Those are the roles that see all of the behind-the-scenes magic, and it’s a great starting point to help you select which direction you want to follow.
Also, try to be as organized as possible. Production management is the hub of production and you realize early how central your role is to the team when production plans shift.
There has been a push to increase diversity, equity and inclusivity in workplaces across the country. Have you noticed any changes in your field?
I have and it’s exciting to see. One thing I’ve noticed over the past few years are the types of stories being told in animation. Seeing more writers and animators from diverse backgrounds brings new perspectives to more audiences. Although we are seeing more of our stories, there is still room to grow and a lot of work to do.
What do you think are some benefits of having a more diverse workplace?
We become more considerate of different perspectives. I feel when we come from diverse backgrounds and interact with different people, we learn more about each other and gain a better understanding of one another.
In your role, what’s a challenge you face that might come as a surprise to viewers?
Waiting. Being at the hub of production, you tend to wait a lot while the pre-production phases are being confirmed. So, as much as you want to take action and start right away, there’s always a lot of pre-planning before many animation projects get underway.
What professional achievement are you especially proud of?
The first was being able to work on my first animated show Charlie’s Colorforms City, with 9 Story Media Group. It was an amazing experience to see the full process of how to create a series from the early design phases to the final renderings.
My second was one of the first projects I worked on in my role here at BWA Studios. I was managing the animated short series Made By Her: Monumental Women. I admit I was nervous as it was my first time leading such a large production team, alongside our current creative director, but the end product looked incredible and we were able to tell three remarkable stories through the lens of animation.
Where do you hope to be in the next 5-10 years?
I want to continue helping creatives tell their stories the best way I can. I’ve learned that as a production manager—even though I can’t draw myself—I love having a front seat to the animation process and helping others express their creative vision.
What excites you about the future of your field?
Seeing animation viewed as more than just a children’s medium. I appreciate children’s media, as it’s part of my background and is integral to educating and entertaining our youth. However, as a lover and fan of animation, I want people to understand that there’s many different types of animation and ways to tell animated stories.
What would you like to see companies like A+E Networks do to help further diversity, equity and inclusion?
I appreciate A&E Network’s series Biography: You Need To Know because it highlights a lot of untold stories that many would be curious to learn more about. Continue bringing your audience stories about people or events that aren’t always told. When hiring, it’s important to have diversity not just in front of the camera, but behind the scenes as well.