Member Spotlight: Ishwari Yardi, MILE 44

What is MILE 44? Can you tell us more about the project you worked on?

MILE 44 is a high-end global sports content studio agency based in Los Angeles, specialising in storytelling and visual creativity. Whilst the company works with some of the largest spring brands and globally renowned athletes, at its heart, MILE 44 aims to spotlight diverse creatives and elevate young voices. The shoot I worked on involved a partnership between Swiss luxury watch brand Tissot and Harlequins and England fly-half rugby player Marcus Smith.

What were you looking forward to the most working with MILE 44?

As with most of my projects, I picked up the job as a last-minute assignment. I was very excited to be working on a project that not only gave me a chance to work with and learn from an international crew and gain experience with top-tier clients but also to demonstrate my skills and genuine interest in production. I didn’t have many concerns going into the shoot; I relied on my previous experience and leaned into my personality to make a good first impression- get off to a good start, and the rest of the job is easy…that’s my logic anyway. I was also looking forward to the project, so that helped.

What were your key responsibilities as a Production Assistant?

My primary responsibility was to ensure the day ran as smoothly as possible – from assisting my teammates to monitoring the logistics of the shoot, I was across several different tasks. For instance, I was responsible for communicating between departments and ensuring all Heads of Departments knew the client and talent’s schedule, script and logistics. Furthermore, I was also responsible for ‘dressing’ the set, assisting with maintaining production inventory and capturing behind-the-scenes footage.

What do you find most rewarding about this opportunity?

What I found most rewarding about the day was creating those new working relationships and demonstrating my capabilities in my role with a new team, which was a refreshing part of the entire shoot. The team felt knowledgeable and unified, too, so watching the different crew members work their magic was exciting! One of my greatest strengths is positivity and the ability to get stuck in whatever is thrown my way. Mel, the founder of MILE 44, gave me a space to demonstrate my passion and keep growing within the industry. They aim to nurture their crew, which came across through the team’s strong working relations. 

What past experiences and prior knowledge helped you be successful in the role?

I’ve worked as a ‘runner’ and ‘camera assistant’ in both entertainment and sports, so I had prior knowledge of what would be expected on set at the studio and my general duties. I had never worked in a ‘Production Assistant’ role before, so that was a first. However, having had a fair bit of ‘runner’ experience – where you are expected to be hands-on across all departments or assist in various duties – I felt more comfortable going into the project. 

What entry-level jobs are best for gaining as much knowledge as possible within this field? 

I would say that I have started out in a very typical route with the role of ‘running’ (or, in this case, being a Production Assistant) to learn and ultimately progress within the sports and entertainment industry. However, many opportunities can offer similar experiences, including internships, placements, training opportunities, and mentorship. These can also elevate you in a saturated and competitive market. I think the runner role is beneficial, as it lets you work across different departments and gives you varying responsibilities where you can get an insight into what you love – in my case, production. At the same time, you can speak about what areas you’re interested in and have the opportunity to mingle with the entire crew. It’s a great chance to get stuck, ask questions, and put yourself out there because this is when you can make mistakes or ask ‘silly’ questions.

These roles are great, but there are other entry points into the industry, too. So keep your eye out on newsletters or getting in with companies who inspire you and whose core values align with helping nurture young talent or diversify the workforce (such as with Bridged and MILE 44).

What is one piece of advice you would give to a young person who is looking to enter the Sports and Entertainment industry?

My one piece of advice, which I also need to remind myself of, is that there is no rush. If you genuinely see this as an end goal and want to have this career for the rest of your life, invest in taking your time at the start because it will only strengthen your skills later down the line, even if it takes a little longer than your peers.

You don’t want to pigeonhole yourself into one department or one area of the industry where you might think later that it no longer serves you in the way you hoped it would. But, in the same way, I don’t think it’s ever too late to make that move. I think one thing that we try to amplify within the Bridged Community is that there is always that possibility to move from Entertainment to Sports or from one area of the industry to another and have that flexibility because you can use your skills and transfer them into another role.

The things that will lead you to most opportunities are your passion, interests, eagerness to learn, and positive attitude! Then, the rest will follow… Just say yes to everything and anything because you never know; later down the line, it might end up being something you are interested in, and then you’ve got a little bit of experience already under your belt. However, if you know exactly where you want to end up, make that known. Don’t be shy because if you don’t speak up, the opportunity will go to someone else. When you ask people for guidance or opportunities, they are willing to give you a hand. It might not be now and not exactly what you’re after, but they might give you a gateway into what you want to learn or a springboard to progress. 

You can view the Tissot x Marcus Smith content here.