5 Questions With Kathryn Hollis

1. WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT WHAT YOU DO?
   I love working with a team to come up with crazy ideas and seeing how excited everyone gets. Even if we throw in ideas that are totally off the wall, it’s energising when you write something you KNOW fans are going to love. There’s also an electric energy on set. You may have just wrapped too many days in a row, but you forget the pain points and quickly look forward to the next one.
2. WHY DO YOU THINK CREATIVE CONTENT IS IMPORTANT?
   Creative content, like publicity is one of groups that covers a film or series from start to finish. We’re there on set during filming, we work closely with marketing teams during all phases of a launch campaign. Often, we’re even along for the ride on stunts and premieres. Creative content truly pulls back the curtain on the whole process. It gives unique access to people who’ve never been on a film or tv set to see what happens. It’s also a great chance for talent to interact with fans and make them feel as though they’re part of it all.
3. WHAT IS THE BIGGEST CHANGE YOU SEE IN THE INDUSTRY AROUND CREATIVE CONTENT?
   I think more and more, creative content is becoming intertwined with social. And while I think there will always be some viewers who want to watch longer, more in-depth pieces, we also have the opportunity to capture more attention with short, snack-able spots created specifically with social media in mind. The great thing is, we can create pieces that service both needs without having to do multiple shoots.
4. WHAT DREW YOU TO CREATE LONDON?
   Everyone here has a passion for the creative and a willingness to just dive in. It’s something I noticed when I was on the client side working with Create, and even more so now that I’m part of the team. It’s such a great open mentality. I love collaborating with creative talent and getting their insights on parts of the business they’ve never been exposed to before.
5. WHAT IS THE MOST EXCITING SHOOT YOU’VE EVER DONE?
   Two polar opposite shoots come to mind; you always get more with Creative Content!  The first was a spoof Viagra commercial I produced for Fox. It’s a perfect example of talent being on board for something fun and ridiculous. It was Ryan Reynolds’ idea to begin with and he was a dream even though we made him shoot in the suit for about 12 hours that day. He was so open to the collaboration we brought and leaned into the fun. It’s still one of my favourite pieces. The other was a panel for Netflix’s When They See Us. I oversaw all aspects of the production with a small team. Originally it was meant to be “just” an FYC panel for the Emmy campaign, but it became the Emmy winning Oprah Winfrey Presents: When They See Us Now, a one hour special on Netflix and OWN. It was half interviews with the cast and half with the Exonerate Five, formerly known as the Central Park Five. Each group was interviewed by Ava DuVernay and Oprah. I figured once I’ve stage directed Oprah, I can work with anyone. And as these interviews go, the actors were in tears listening to the Exonerated Five talk about seeing their stories retold.  Meeting those five men and listening to them talk was one of the most beautifully humbling things I’ve ever done.