Member in Focus: Elizabeth Edgar

We recently sat down with Guild member Elizabeth Edgar, Line Producer, to talk about her journey through the UK's film and television industry — and how her most recent project, Mint for the BBC, became another landmark moment in a career built on dedication, craft, and an instinct for great storytelling. Mint, written and directed by Charlotte Regan, starring Emma Laird and Benjamin Coyle-Larner, is a darkly comic and unconventional drama about a crime family's inner life, told through the eyes of its daughter, who is searching for love.

From working on huge shows such as The Buccaneers, Vigil, Frankenstein & Dune: Prophecy as a Production Manager, to holding the reins as Line Producer on a major BBC drama, Elizabeth's story is one that will resonate with anyone who has ever worked their way up through the ranks. For this week’s Member in Focus, we caught up with her to find out what drives her, what Mint taught her, and what it’s like to shoot in the dramatic Scottish landscape!

Congratulations on the recent release of Mint. The Guardian described it as “the most outrageously beautiful TV show since Twin Peaks.” How did your experience as Line Producer help bring that distinctive visual and creative vision to life on screen?

My main aim was to make sure we could bring Charlotte Regan’s (writer and director) ideas to screen with the resources we had. Mint is a unique tv show with dreamlike sequences requiring specialist crew and equipment - we had actors floating through the air and horses rearing indoors. It wasn’t like anything I had done before so it was important to me that we were well prepared. We did many tests and rehearsals to make sure everything was safe and that everyone was happy. 

This was your first role as Line Producer after stepping up - how did you find the transition, and what were some of the key challenges and successes along the way? 

I felt really supported by the production company and by Angus Lamont (Producer), Neil Cairns and Gerry Tyrrell (Accountants) and Paula Fleming (Production Manager), so really it was the best possible scenario for my first time Line Producing!  I worked with Charlotte previously in 2022 on The Buccaneers Series 1 and we have a good relationship, so this was something I really wanted to do. Charlotte had met a lot of the local crew on Buccaneers so she already knew most of the HODs she wanted which made my job fairly easy as that can be a battle sometimes when directors want to bring their non-local crew with them as they don’t know the Scottish crews that are so talented. Mint was smaller scale than some of the productions the crew had been working on recently so that was a challenge at times, but it was a project that everyone wanted to be part of, especially to work with Charlotte. She brings a great energy to set which is contagious. Both the cast and crew felt passionately about Mint and it felt like people actually wanted to be there, even during the one too many night shoots. 

Scotland continues to grow as a national hub for film and high-end TV production, with recent reports showing the screen sector is on track to contribute £1 billion to the economy. As a Scotland-based Line Producer, how important is continued investment, and how can the industry keep championing Scottish talent?

It is vital as there are good people here with strong expertise and aspirations. Investing in Scottish based productions allows the sector to not only grow the existing local skills but also tap into new people with diverse experience and stories. That will only make our industry more interesting, equitable and sought after.

Looking back, what have been some of the standout highlights of your career so far?

I count myself very lucky with the places we get to visit and the people we meet. I just finished working on Series 2 of Dune: Prophecy where I was was based in Budapest and we travelled to Jordan and Spain. Not only do we get to work with people from all over the world but any time off is spent exploring places that you might not get to see if wasn’t for your work. Closer to home, I’m a huge fan of live music so when I was able to get backstage at Barrowlands in Glasgow last year for Mint, that was a big moment for me! 

Can you tell us how you first got started in the industry, and what path led you to where you are today?

I studied Film & TV and Stirling University and about a year after graduating I got my first job as a production runner on River City (BBC Scotland) with Bovy Mackinnon as my Production Manager. After the initial shock of how fast paced the TV world is, I knew that Production was where I wanted to be. River City has sadly just wrapped on its final series after 24 years. It has been an invaluable training ground for Scottish crew in scripted TV not only at entry level but for those advancing in their career. I have worked with some really influential people who have given me great opportunities. Willy Wands gave me my first HETV production coordinator job on Stonemouth. I learned a lot working with him and I enjoyed seeing how passionate he was about his work. 

During a long shoot day, what’s your go-to pick from the craft table?

Depends how the day is going… maybe some chocolate.

How important was it, both creatively and logistically, to keep Mint based in Scotland? 

Scotland had the locations and landscapes the team were looking for. The Grangemouth refinery features heavily, it’s constantly looming over the town and our characters. Most of our locations were central or not too far from our Production base in Glasgow. Again, Scotland has the experienced crew that Charlotte wanted to work with. Charlotte knew the Gaffer Mark Ritchie and Grip Tim Critchell would work together with her and DOP Chris Sabogal creatively to achieve specific lighting and camera looks. Rather than insisting on expensive bits of kit we didn’t have the money for, they would look for alternatives that could do the same job.

What are three essentials you always have with you on set as a Line Producer?

Sunglasses and a waterproof - we are in Scotland after all. 4 seasons in one day! And some snacks for bribing.

What advice would you give to someone hoping to break into the production industry, particularly in Scotland?

Put yourself out there. Attend training courses and networking events. Make contacts and keep in touch. It’s all about timing and meeting the right people.

And, finally what’s next for you?

Holidays and time off at home after being away for the last year! Hopefully another chance to Line Produce again soon though...!