Episode 50 

This week, Tessa is joined by Marie Owen, Founder and CEO of LS Productions in Scotland. She talks about how the business was developed over time, learning on the job through hands-on experience across film and stills shoots and building knowledge through each project. As the company grew, it began delivering campaigns across the UK and internationally, working with agencies, brands and talent across a wide range of productions. 

Marie also reflects on what film and stills production involves day to day, from managing shoot logistics and budgets to coordinating large teams and keeping productions running smoothly under pressure. She speaks about the importance of clear communication, practical decision-making and understanding how all parts of a campaign come together on set. Alongside this, she shares her insight into leadership, building a strong team and maintaining company culture as the business continues to grow. She also discusses knowing when to say no, setting standards and the level of responsibility that comes with running a successful production company. 

Marie Owen on Building LS Productions, Film Production Realities and Teamwork 

Interview by Tessa Dewing for The Business of Modelling Podcast 

Marie Owen is the founder and CEO of LS Productions, a Scotland-based film and stills production company working across advertising, film and content. Over time, she has built the business into one of the UK’s leading production companies, delivering campaigns both nationally and internationally.  

In this episode, she speaks about how the company was built, what production really involved behind the scenes and the mindset required to run a successful business. 

Starting Out 

Like many businesses, LS Productions did not begin with a set out plan. Marie speaks openly about the early days and the reality of starting without having everything figured out. “That’s how you get a business off the ground. You just do it,” she explains. “You don’t necessarily have all the answers at the start, but you start anyway and work it out as you go along.” 

Learning came through a lot of experience, working on productions. “I didn’t know anything at the beginning, and then you learn everything you didn’t know before by being in it, doing the job and figuring things out day by day.” This hands-on approach became the foundation of how the business developed. 

Understanding How Production Works 

Marie offers a clear view of what production involves, particularly at scale. LS Productions works across a wide range of budgets and project sizes, something she sees as a strength rather than a challenge. “We work on £5,000 shoots and £2 million shoots,” she says. “People think that’s quite a big jump, but for us that’s just part of how the business works.” 

Stills production is about problem-solving and delivery. “We’re working as a partner with the client, understanding what they need and working out how we unlock that in production.” This requires a balance of organisation, communication and practical thinking, especially when managing complex shoots. 

The Importance of Teamwork 

A constant theme throughout this conversation is that success is not built by one person. “It’s not a me thing,” Marie says. “It has to work for everyone within the business, and everyone plays a part in making it successful.” She is clear that strong teamwork is essential to delivering work at a high level. 

“It doesn’t just ride on my shoulders. It only works if everyone is working together properly as a team to deliver the job.” Building and maintaining that team is what allows the business to grow and operate at scale. 

“The only way you’re going to get to play at the top level is having a really strong team around you who you trust.” 

Understanding Culture and Standards 

As the company has grown, maintaining culture has become increasingly important. “Keeping that culture a living, breathing thing as you grow really hard,” she explains, “but it’s the heartbeat of your business and what holds everything together.” 

Marie also speaks about the importance of standards and making the right decisions, even when that means turning work down. Saying no, she explains, can be just as important as saying yes when it comes to protecting the quality of the work and the people involved. 

A Practical Approach 

What comes through clearly is Marie’s grounded, practical approach to running a business. “We’re decent people, and we do what we say we’re going to do,” she says. 

Her conversation offers a direct and honest look at what it takes to build and run a film production company, where experience, teamwork and consistency matter more than quick wins, and where success is built over time through doing the job properly.