In conversation with Maria Salcher

1.   Introduce yourself

Hi, I’m Maria. I’m originally from Austria but have been living in the UK for the last 20 years. I live in Hertfordshire with my partner, our 3-year-old daughter and our dog and cat.

2. What is your job title?

I work as a production and department coordinator in film and TV, mainly in costume and art. Over the past six years, I’ve also been doing content producing, especially in fashion and branded areas.

3. Who looks after the kids when you are working?

We’re really lucky to have an amazing nursery that looks after our daughter while I’m at work. When I have to do overtime, my partner steps in as he works remotely, which really helps.

4. How long did you take off work after having your baby?

I took a full year off after having my daughter, though honestly, it still didn’t feel like enough. I know I was lucky to even get that time. My company paid me for three months, and after that, it was statutory maternity pay, which was definitely tight. Thankfully, my partner was super supportive and helped us stay afloat.

5. Would you say that you have a good work/life balance?

It really depends on the job. Some projects get really intense, especially during the shoot phase, and work can easily take over, but I try to pull things back when I can and make sure I get quality time with my daughter.

6. Are you job-sharing or working flexibly?

I’ve been lucky to work flexibly over the past few years as a content producer. More recently, I’ve teamed up with another coordinator, Ella, and we’ve built a great job-share partnership. We’re currently looking for new opportunities together in film and TV.

7. What do you think is the hardest part of being a working/industry parent?

For me, it’s the constant juggle. I want to be there 100% for my daughter, but also stay passionate and present in my career. It often feels like the two don’t mix well, and it’s hard to feel like I’m doing either one properly.

8. What are your tips for any other women out there wanting to have kids and keep a career in film?

Having a support system is key. We don’t have any family nearby, so it’s usually just me and my partner juggling everything. It can be exhausting. But we’ve built a great circle of friends with young kids, and we help each other out when we can.

9. Any advice for anyone about to return to work after maternity?

Don’t rush it. Take things slow and trust your own pace. There's so much pressure on mums to bounce back like nothing happened, but the truth is, juggling parenting and work is intense. Be gentle with yourself and say yes to help when it’s offered.

10. What advice did you wish someone had given you?

I wish someone had told me that it’s okay not to have it all figured out. You don’t need a master plan. Just take the next step and keep going, that’s enough.