What does it mean to be the person who keeps everything (and everyone) moving?

Some jobs aren't about creating the work – they're about making sure everyone else can do theirs. In this activity you'll hear from a creative producer whose role is to hold everything together when plans fall apart.

This activity is designed to be flexible and can be used as follows:

  • During a lesson - 30 minutes. Students work in pairs and then share their reflections with the rest of the class.
  • During tutor time - 20 minutes. Students watch the video independently and then discuss one of the topics together.
  • As homework - Students watch the video on their own and complete the reflection at their own pace.

This activity supports the following frameworks:

  • Gatsby Benchmark 5
  • PSHE Association KS3 codes L4, L12
  • KS4 codes L3, L8

1. Before you start

Take a moment to think about the following question:

  • Think about a group project you've been part of - at school, in a club, or with friends. Was there someone who kept things organised and made sure everyone knew what they were doing? What would have happened without them?

If you're working with a partner or team, share and compare your thoughts before continuing.

2. Watch the video

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Anna Benson - Creative Producer

Anna is a creative producer at an agency in Stockholm. She manages teams of designers, copywriters, and developers to deliver creative projects for clients. She describes herself as "a spider in a web" - sitting between different people and projects, making sure everything keeps moving.

While watching the video, listen for the following:

  • What does Anna actually do when a new client request comes in? What are the steps?
  • What happens when a project doesn't go to plan - how does Anna deal with that?

3. Reflect and discuss

First, add a personal reflection based on the following:

  • What is one thing from Anna's description of her job that you didn't expect?

Next, think about the following and discuss with your partner or group:

  • Anna describes herself as "a spider in a web" connecting different people and projects. What skills do you think someone needs to do that well? Are those skills you'd learn in a classroom, or somewhere else?
  • Anna says that when a plan falls apart, she has to "pull everybody up from their stressed out little minds" and figure out a new approach. Have you ever had to do something similar? What made it hard?
  • Anna works in a creative industry but she's not a designer, writer, or developer. What does that tell you about the range of jobs that exist within a single industry?