Karly Poyer's journey from intern to leading international productions proves that passion and perseverance can lead to incredible success. In this Q&A, she shares her insights on navigating the film industry, empowering women, and the essential skills every producer needs. Here’s the tea!
Q: What inspired you to pursue a career in film?
A: In high school, I felt uncertain about the career I wanted to pursue, while everyone else seemed to have it figured out. I don't like to conform and didn’t want to take a traditional route, so I took a gap year to reflect. Initially, I considered journalism because I enjoy writing and thought it could be a platform to give a voice to others. However, I later realised that film could offer the same opportunity, with the added power of visuals. One of my uncle's partners worked in the industry; he encouraged me to pursue the film industry, and that made it feel more achievable. Despite the pressure to follow conventional paths like teaching or medicine, I trusted my passion for film. My parents always trusted me to make my own decisions, and their support gave me the confidence to take the leap.
Q: How did you get into assistant directing, and what has the experience been like so far?
A: I started assistant directing on a Spec-Savers summer promo shoot in 2023. Although I hadn’t been formally trained for the role, after running several production-related jobs on my own, I had picked up the logistical skills and experience required for assistant directing. During this particular shoot, we shot both stills and video simultaneously and fell behind schedule. I saw a need to step in and start communicating with the various departments and models on set so that we could get our schedule back on track and make up for time. Time is money, but in the film industry, it’s even more costly! It was an incredible learning experience, just like every job, but this one opened up an opportunity for me to further gain experience and exposure within this role.
One standout moment for me was producing and assistant directing a shoot in Botswana last year. As I and our director, Bean, flew into Gaborone, I asked him for some last-minute tips/advice on what a good assistant director should do on set. His only response was, “Just be yourself!” We had a really good laugh about his simple response, but that moment gave me the confidence I needed and reminded me how much our director and team trust me. A memory I’ll never forget.
Staying composed under pressure is crucial. It not only helps you stay focused but also helps your team stay grounded.
Q: What has the chaos of the film industry taught you?
A: Staying composed under pressure is crucial. It not only helps you stay focused but also helps your team stay grounded. Emotional maturity is key—not only in managing your own emotions but also in helping others stay calm when things go off track. It’s a lesson I’m always learning—how to keep the team calm and productive, even when things aren’t going as planned. And when everyone is calm, things tend to fall into place. Leading by example is often the best way to keep things running smoothly.
Q: Is there a particular project or moment in your career that stands out to you as fulfilling or that shaped how you view the industry?
A: One of the most fulfilling projects for me was the Cape Union Mart TVC campaigns in 2023 and 2024. These projects stood out because they were highly collaborative from start to finish. We worked closely as a team from scriptwriting and concept development to production and post-production. The client was involved every step of the way, and the result felt like a team effort—a project born from all of us. That experience encouraged me to understand the potential of collaborative projects, and I’m excited about the future of creating more of them.
Q: What was your experience like working on your recent international project that took place in the Amazon, and why was it so important to you?
A: I worked with Director and Producer Philipp Kaczmarek at Blacksheep Productions in collaboration with Living Gaia Organisation in Berlin to film a documentary about the indigenous tribes in the Amazon, with the focus being on female tribes and leaders. It was an enlightening experience to be part of something so empowering. Organising everything remotely was a challenge: coordinating flights, accommodation, and ensuring the crew was fed and safe while shooting in the middle of the Amazon forest. The project involved a lot of legal work, dealing with lawyers to sign up the appropriate contracts and agreements with the tribes, protecting their rights. This was quite the challenge and very time-consuming.
I’ve always been passionate about women’s empowerment, and this project resonated with me on a deeper level. This project challenged narrow views and demonstrated how women can be strong, independent leaders. If I can be part of something that brings that message to light, I’m all in!
Q: In your opinion, what qualities make a successful producer in today’s industry?
A: The most important quality is communication. A good producer must be able to speak to anyone, in any department, in any role—crew, client, agency, supplier, anyone. A good producer knows how to manage their emotions and remain neutral. Staying calm and focusing on solutions is key. Beyond that, it’s essential to understand the theory behind the work. You don’t need to go to film school for everything, but having a good understanding of the basics helps when dealing with different departments. And lastly, experience is vital. Theory and practical knowledge work in tandem. You cannot thrive by succeeding in one area only.
The quicker you find a solution, the better.
Q: What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
A: When in the heat of a debate, another director said to me, “Let’s not complain about the problems and use our time to discuss solutions.”. That stuck with me. In this industry, there’s literally no time. Turnarounds are quick, and you’re either eating at your desk or not eating at all, trying to meet your deadlines. The quicker you find a solution, the better. I try and apply that mindset in every project, although it's easier said than done.
Q: If you could give your younger self one piece of advice, what would it be?
A: “Keep pushing!”. There were so many moments where I felt like I wasn’t making any progress; I felt I wasn’t good enough at what I do or I’m not advancing fast enough. Sometimes I still feel this way, but in hindsight, I see how those mental challenges shaped me and forced me to excel. It’s all part of the journey, and I would encourage myself to just keep going even when things feel tough.
Karly’s story is a powerful reminder that with determination and the right mindset, anything is possible. Her journey continues to inspire, showing us the value of trusting your instincts and staying true to your passion.
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