At Fox & Co, we love gathering new pack members from all over the globe.
Introducing Ange! She's travelled from South Africa to join our team. We had a quick coffee and Q&A with her.
Tell us about you and your role at Fox & Co.
I’m South African - born and bred. I’m a daughter, sister, and fiancé. I’m a huge baseball fan, massive Liverpool supporter, and an absolute foodie. I’m the new Senior Producer at Fox & Co.
Tell us about your past experiences working in production.
I’ve worked in the creative industry for over 8 years as an intern, studio manager, entrepreneur and most recently as Head of Production. Working as a Producer has its challenges; it’s not all “glitz and glam.” Producers are the ones who are putting in the hard yards, cashing in old favours to make impossible budgets work, and scrambling to put together teams to meet insane deadlines. That being said, it is incredibly rewarding to work with some of the industry's best talent, to watch people grow and achieve, and to know you’ve had a part in their journey.
Moving to Wellington from Johannesburg, South Africa, what are some of your highs and lows?
Highs:
- Walking - I’m enjoying the freedom.
- Living in Welly feels a bit like a working holiday. (It’s hard to believe this is home now.)
- As a foodie, the food culture has been a definite high for me.
Lows:
- The unpredictable weather - it’s windy, all the time.
- Leaving my family and friends behind has been difficult.
- Not being able to stream Liverpool games because we’re currently living out of our luggage at an Airbnb.
Three weeks in - tell us about your experience at Fox & Co?
I’m lovin’ it! Everyone has been so welcoming and helpful. Moving to a new country is not for the faint-hearted and a bunch of the critters at Fox & Co understand this because they’ve done the move themselves. I’m thrilled to be part of the pack and am looking forward to the adventure that awaits.
What is your typical day like?
Wake up. Coffee and a good 25 minute walk to work. The day starts off with reading e-mails, checking in with the team, and prioritising tasks for the day. After that, it’s either production planning, budgeting, scheduling, or focusing on research and new business development. Lunch is either last night’s delicious leftovers (I got lucky with a fiancé who does all the cooking) or an adventure down Cuba Street to find something equally as delightful. This generally involves some Instagram research for a new hotspot nearby. Then it's back to the office, team check-ins on project statuses, client deliveries, and prepping for the next day. The day ends with some kind of mission for dinner, Netflix, and chill. Once we move into our new apartment, we’ll definitely be able to throw some gym, boxercising, and yoga into the mix.
What would you like to learn while working at Fox & Co?
I’d definitely like to learn about the local creative industry and what that looks like. I’d like to contribute to solving real world problems with creative solutions locally, as I feel like Wellington really oozes creativity. I’m also keen on the international market and would like to learn more about how Fox & Co has tapped into these markets.
What is your critter and why?
Definitely the African Wild Dog. I feel like Wild Dogs possess the same characteristics I do. They’re social and devoted to friendship within their pack - that’s pretty much me. They form strong bonds and show care and support to pack members who may be ill or weak. I cherish the bonds I create with people and am very much the “nurturer.” Wild Dogs are great with communication and have a strong will to survive, which involves working with their pack members to make this happen. These are definitely characteristics that I pride myself on.
What has been your favourite experience in New Zealand so far?
We’re still trying to find our feet. The Sunday Food Market on the waterfront definitely stands out and so does the hike to the Mount Victoria lookout point. The views are phenomenal.
If you could be any animated character, what would it be?
I’d be Simba! Not only is he a childhood favourite, but he is also a super cool character. Simba has such a zest for life and is adventurous, confident, and self-assured. He embraces life and its stumbling blocks, but he gets back up again with a positive attitude and fights for those he loves most.
