[00:03] Darren Jamieson: Welcome to this episode of The Engaging Marketeer. Today, I’m speaking with Jack Leigh from Eight Engines—a filmmaker and creative agency owner. Jack has an impressive background, having worked on shows like Peaky Blinders and other major productions. But today, we’re going to dive into why working on Peaky Blinders wasn’t the dream Jack thought it would be, and how he transitioned into running his own creative agency.
[01:10] Darren Jamieson: Jack, you’ve got a fascinating background. You’ve worked on some incredible projects, but you’ve mentioned before that the experience on Peaky Blinders wasn’t as ideal as you hoped. Can you share more about that?
[01:45] Jack Leigh: Absolutely. So, my background was as an assistant director (AD). I worked on productions like Peaky Blinders, Fast & Furious, and a few others. Initially, it was everything I’d dreamed of. I thought, “This is it—working on these huge shows.” But the reality was very different.
The work was stressful and highly demanding. As an AD, you’re in a logistical role. You’re managing people, organizing the set, and ensuring everything runs smoothly. It’s not as creative as it might seem. You’re like the conductor of an orchestra, managing multiple departments and ensuring nothing delays production. The pressure was immense.
[02:45] Jack Leigh: After about four or five years, I felt completely burnt out. The freelance nature of the job didn’t help either. There’s no real support system—your worth is based on how well you do that one job. It’s relentless, and I realized it wasn’t what I wanted long-term.
[03:14] Darren Jamieson: That sounds tough. So, what led you to transition out of that environment?
[03:20] Jack Leigh: I took on a contract making hostile environment training films for charities, including the Department for International Development. We went to a military base in Kenya to create interactive training videos. It was intense but gave me a new perspective.
[04:19] Darren Jamieson: Interactive training videos? That sounds fascinating. How did they work?
[04:25] Jack Leigh: Think of those “Choose Your Own Adventure” novels but in video form. The viewer would face a scenario, like a grenade being thrown into a room. They’d have to make a choice: run, jump, or throw it back. Each choice would lead to a different outcome. It was a highly engaging way to train people for hostile environments.
[05:44] Darren Jamieson: You also mentioned working on Peaky Blinders. I imagine that’s the type of project you aspired to when you first started in film?
[05:50] Jack Leigh: Absolutely. When I started, my dream was to work on massive productions like Peaky Blinders. But the reality was far from what I expected. It’s a hierarchical system, and the creative roles are out of reach for a long time. Most of the work as an AD is logistical. You’re close to creativity but not part of it.
[07:49] Jack Leigh: What really frustrated me was the lack of a clear path to becoming a director. Unlike other careers where there’s a progression, the film industry feels murky. You might never get to direct, no matter how hard you work.
[08:17] Darren Jamieson: That must have been discouraging. Did you see many Northern directors in the industry?
[08:22] Jack Leigh: Not really. Most directors I worked with were from London or had attended the National Film School, which wasn’t accessible to me financially. It felt like the odds were stacked against people from the North.
[09:36] Darren Jamieson: Eventually, you moved into making documentaries. How did that happen?
[09:41] Jack Leigh: I joined a company called Riverhorse, where we made feature documentaries and other creative content. This was my first taste of true creativity. One of the most memorable projects was a documentary about Arctic gold prospecting. We followed a man who left his corporate job to search for gold in the Arctic. It was fascinating and marked the first time I felt like I was really creating something meaningful.
[12:05] Darren Jamieson: You’ve now transitioned into running your own creative agency, Eight Engines. How did that come about?
[12:10] Jack Leigh: It started with a business partner, though I eventually took over the company. Running a business wasn’t something I planned—it just happened. Over time, we built a consistent team, and I focused on creating a strong company culture. Having a team I trust and collaborate with is what drives our creativity now.
[16:26] Darren Jamieson: Running a creative business often requires balancing the creative and business aspects. How have you managed that?
[16:30] Jack Leigh: I’m naturally process-driven, which helps. I also realized early on that clients don’t just want a video—they want results. Our slogan is, “No one wants a video.” They want what the video achieves, whether that’s increased sales, brand awareness, or engagement. Understanding that has been crucial.
[19:10] Darren Jamieson: You mentioned networking earlier, specifically BNI. How has networking helped your business?
[19:15] Jack Leigh: BNI was a game-changer. When I started, I had no network. Joining BNI gave me access to a group of supportive professionals. It taught me how to build relationships and gave me the confidence to sell our services. Networking isn’t just about getting work—it’s about learning and growing as a business owner.
[25:38] Darren Jamieson: What’s next for Eight Engines? Any exciting projects on the horizon?
[25:42] Jack Leigh: We’re heading to Vegas soon to shoot a project with UFC fighters, which is exciting. On the creative side, we’re waiting to secure funding for a period drama we piloted last year. Beyond that, I’m looking forward to pushing the boundaries of creativity in video marketing. It feels like we’re entering a renaissance for creative video, and I’m excited to be part of it.
[52:05] Darren Jamieson: Jack, this has been brilliant. If someone wants to learn more about Eight Engines or connect with you, what’s the best way to reach you?
[52:15] Jack Leigh: You can visit our website, eightengines.com, or find me on LinkedIn under Jack Leigh.
[52:36] Darren Jamieson: Great! I’ll include links to your website and LinkedIn in the show notes. Thanks again, Jack—it’s been a pleasure talking with a fellow film nerd!
[53:00] Jack Leigh: Thanks, Darren. It’s been an absolute pleasure!