MISSING LINK FILMS - A MARRIAGE OF CREATIVITY

Missing Link Films formed when husband-and-wife team Ben and Heather Link decided things needed to change. Ben was an award winning producer, working with some of the industries biggest names (such as Jon Glazer, Gerard de Thame, Brian Buckley, Peter Thwaites, Dougal Wilson, Seb Edwards, Frederic Planchon, Jake Scott, Henry Alex Rubin & Anthony Mandler: basically a lot of men) and Heather was client-side working on global marketing for big brands and was notably part of the team responsible for building the HSBC brand, including the iconic airport campaigns and countless tv commercials.

It was while working client side that Heather really began to notice a distinct lack of female talent to choose from, and diversity in general was non-existent. What we now (thankfully) see as zeitgeist had been on the Links’ agenda for years.

One of the reasons that she co-founded Missing Link Films in 2017 was that only 5-8% of commercials were directed by women. That statistic hasn’t improved dramatically since then, although there are signs of slow change.

Dedication to diversity, inclusion and raising awareness wherever they go, is part of the fabric of Missing Link Films. It’s this energy and enthusiasm that makes them so dynamic in the way they work, and the roster that they have curated.

We caught up with Heather to find out more..

We’ve touched on it in the intro to this interview, but what key influences helped shape the creation of Missing Link Films and the work you make?

Women make over 80% of purchasing decisions in the UK but the majority of all advertising decision-makers and directors that are hired are male. This doesn’t make good business sense to me. On top of it being, you know, wrong.

When looking for new talent are you both always on the same page or do you sometimes have to compromise?

This may be the one thing that we almost always agree on! It’s such a special feeling when you watch someone’s reel and you get that sense of excitement upon discovering someone’s talent.

Tell us a bit about your roster.

The styles range from comedy (Alicia, Florence, Greg), performance (Narghi, Laura, Megan, Abena), documentary (Rupert, Ashley) and visual (Ben Tricklebank). 80% of our directors are from under-represented groups.

What do you feel separates you from other production companies?

We have, quite literally, a family feel.

What’s the best career decision you’ve ever made?

The scariest and best decision I’ve made was to leave a corporate job and start the company.

What do you think is your greatest strength?

Even after six years of running Missing Link Films, I still feel like I have a unique perspective that I can bring to the production side of the industry. I think it serves us well that we have two really strong elements: Ben's production expertise and my understanding from a client point of view. It means we know what the client is going to need and value in a piece of work, and we know how to deliver it to a really high production value.

What do you think are the secrets behind getting to where you’ve got to?

My husband’s tenacity and ‘Benergy’. And my passion for diversity.

Do you feel that there are brands who could try harder with their inclusion protocols?

Most brands and agencies sign up to inclusion schemes as a box ticking exercise and I see very little accountability in their actual practices. Asking someone from an under-represented group to pitch when they have zero chance of winning against ‘big name’ directors isn’t enough and feels performative. If they are really serious about hiring diverse talent then they need to invite three under-represented directors to pitch. But no one likes that idea when I bring it up.

What do you do to balance all the high octane hard work and soothe your nervous system?

Long dog walks in Hampstead Heath, Peloton, meditation. Travel and restaurants obviously. They all help but it’s impossible to fully switch off.

What were the creative influences that you grew up with?

My parents loved Monty Python and weird Canadian comedy sketch shows like SCTV and Kids in the Hall. Plus Mel Brooks, early Coen brother films and Spinal Tap. My brother and I would watch them over and over again. I moved to the UK when I was a teenager and discovered Absolutely Fabulous.

Working with Dame Joanna Lumley on Comic Relief was a big moment for me. I guess it was inevitable that the very first MLF signing was a comedy director: Alicia MacDonald.

Lastly tell us something about you that we would only know if we read this interview

Ben and I met on a shoot in Paris when I was the HSBC client and he was the production company producer and kissed at the wrap party. When my boss heard about it, she laughed and gave us her seal of approval, but my gossip karma came back to get me after that one… however….

…The rest.. as they say… is history

To explore the roster please Click Here.