In conversation with Joanna Osborn
1. Introduce yourself
Hi, I’m Joanna Osborn. I’m a freelance Production Manager working across scripted feature films and high-end TV drama. I’m also a mum to a lively 3-year-old and currently 8.5 months pregnant with my second child. Life is full-on, but I’m passionate about both my family and my work. (*)
2. What is your job title?
I work as a Production Manager. My role involves managing the day-to-day logistics of a production—both in the office and on set. I coordinate closely with department heads to ensure everything runs smoothly from prep through the shoot, and then we hand over to Post Production.
3. Who looks after the kids when you are working?
It really takes a village (and a very understanding partner!) My husband, nursery, my mum, fellow mums, and occasionally a babysitter all pitch in. The situation is very fluid—lots of last-minute coordination and flexibility. Both my husband and I freelance in the industry, but his work tends to be more ad-hoc and unpredictable, which can throw our plans off course. We’ve learned not to plan too far ahead and instead rely on a mix of options. Long-term, with school and another baby on the way, we’ll need to reassess—but we’re managing it day by day.
4. How long did you take off work after having your baby?
With my first, I took 11 months off, though I started looking for work again after about nine. This time, I’ll likely return sooner due to finances. As freelancers, we only receive Maternity Allowance for nine months, so it puts a strain on savings and any financial buffer we’ve built up.
5. Would you say that you have a good work/life balance?
I make a real effort, but honestly, it’s a struggle. When I’m on a job, it tends to be all-consuming. My current project has had me out of the house from around 7 am to 7 pm, which means I’ve been getting just 30 minutes with my daughter during the week—and that’s tough. Nursery hours are 8 am–6 pm, so I rely on a very supportive partner. The upside is I can take meaningful time off between jobs to really be present, but the inconsistency is one of the reasons many women leave the industry or shift to more stable, in-house roles.
6. Are you job-sharing or working flexibly?
I’ve had some great experiences with flexible work arrangements. My first job after maternity leave started part-time and gradually built up to full-time, thanks to a supportive Line Producer, Cyrus Patel. He is a workaholic, but really respected my boundaries and was a great support. This was an essential transition back into the working world.
On Black Doves, I worked 9 am–5 pm during prep—something my Line Producer, Emma Downes (a fellow mum to young twins), was very accommodating with. We staggered our hours to make it work. The shoot was a bit no-man‘s-land, and there were a few weeks where I hardly saw Eve, but it was short-lived and overall, a very supportive environment. After that, I went onto My Oxford Year, I again negotiated 9–5 during prep, with solid support from my team and our Exec Producer, Caroline Levy. It made all the difference.
Right now, I’m working full-time alongside my maternity cover, who’ll take over fully when I leave to have my baby. We’re lucky to be on a large-scale HETV production that allows for a proper handover period, which has meant I can step back for ante-natal appointments without putting pressure on the team. I’ve also been able to shift to hybrid working for these final weeks of pregnancy, which gives me more rest time by cutting out the commute—something that’s become essential at this stage.
7. What do you think is the hardest part of being a working/industry parent?
The lack of flexible working options—and the resistance to change—is by far the hardest. There’s an entrenched mindset that the job has to take over your life to be done properly. I see it differently. Let’s try new ways of working. If it doesn’t work, we can reassess, but if it does, we can make the industry more sustainable—especially for parents. The Looking Glass 2024 survey revealed that only 12% of workers felt the industry was mentally healthy, with 64% considering leaving due to mental health concerns. and 72% find it difficult to fulfil commitments outside of work because of the amount of time they spend on their job. We have to evolve.
8. What are your tips for any other women out there wanting to have kids and keep a career in film?
Learn to set boundaries early—it will serve you well in all areas of life, especially as a parent.
Support each other. If a colleague announces a pregnancy, be the person who helps them navigate it with compassion—offer flexible hours, job-shares, or hybrid roles if possible. By normalising different ways of working, we can make the industry better for everyone, not just parents.
Too many women leave the industry after having children, which means fewer mums in senior roles—and a culture that continues to expect parents (usually dads) to be absent. I recently overheard a male crew member at a studio say they had been asked for flexible working arrangements by someone in their team, and they declined it, saying, “My wife gave up work 10 years ago to raise our kids, so she should do the same.” That mindset has to go.
9. Any advice for anyone about to return to work after maternity?
Look closely at your support network and identify people you can lean on for backup childcare—it might not be the ‘traditional’ setup. I’ve found support from neighbours, friends without kids, and other mums. We’ve lost that village mentality, but when you reach out, you realise people want to help and be part of something supportive.
I recently started a WhatsApp group for mums working in scripted HETV and film, and we all agree—it’s never easy. But for those of us who stick it out, we find ways to make it work.
Look for managers who understand the realities of family life. Don’t be afraid to propose job-sharing or adjusted hours to suit your childcare needs. You might start early and leave in time for school pick-up, finishing tasks once your child’s asleep. Hybrid and remote models are more common post-Covid, and more productions are open to them. Leavesden Studios even offers the ‘Wonderworks’ nursery, with some productions subsidising places. More options are emerging—ask the questions, explore what’s possible.
10. What advice did you wish someone had given you?
Be really selective about who you work with. Ask around, get references, and use interviews as an opportunity to find out how supportive they are—especially when it comes to flexible working. Be upfront about what you need and get any informal agreements in writing. Setting expectations early can make all the difference.
(*) Joanna was pregnant at the time of this interview. She has since given birth to a beautiful baby.