The ultimate quick fire questionnaire for the music and creative minded!  

We get under the skin of some of our favourite directors, musicians and bands to reveal what makes them tick musically and creatively, from their favourite band to the latest book in their hand!

This time we catch up with The Gate Films' Managing Partner and Head of Production, Rhiannon Lewis, a senior producer with over 17 years experience working in film production for advertising. She runs a team of 20 people at The Gate alongside her husband Simon. 

She is passionate about creating film content and prides herself on striving for that balance between the Director’s interpretation and the Client’s requirements, to find the best possible creative and practical solutions to any brief. 

Rhiannon has produced TV campaigns for brands such as Tommee Tippee, Apple and Nike to name a few. She has created award-winning cross-platform content campaigns for brands such as Very and Missguided. Her production for Missguided campaigns is now in it’s 10th year, with many awards received for it along the way. 2021 saw her leading the team who picked up 12 awards and counting for Tommee Tippee’s “Boob Life” campaign. 

Rhiannon is an enthusiastic mentor to many film students across Manchester and the North West. She sits on the industry board for the Global Academy and is a key speaker at the Women In Media conferences. A mother of four, she champions women in film and flexible working hours. She has some killer dance moves and a love of cake. And gin. 

Rhiannon spills all on her first record, dream music video, and her past life supporting Claire Sweeney in a girl band!

1. What bands or artists are you listening to most right now?

Spotify is my go to – I tend to stick a “this is…” for whichever artist I feel in the mood for. For work it’s mostly Maribou State, Sault, Little Dragon, Maverick Sabre and James Blake. For working out I head for a mixture of 90’s rnb and dance. I share my Spotify with my 12 year old who is obsessed with Hamilton and Olivia Rodriguez – I always think it’s funny when the algorithms try to work out what my taste is!

2. What was the first record you bought? 

“I Should Be So Lucky” by Kylie Minogue. 12” vinyl. Got it for my 11th birthday and played it to death!

3. Favourite podcast?

I alternate between two mainly – “Redhanded” – a great true crime podcast hosted by a couple of kick ass women, and “Who? Weekly” An American podcast that “tells you everything you need to know, about the celebrities you don’t” – hilarious.

4. What was the last gig you saw?

I had got out of the habit of going to gigs, so 2020 was meant to be my year! We had so many tickets booked – from Roots Manuva to Elton John – but alas, it was not meant to be. To be honest I can’t remember the last gig – I remember going to see Grease with a live orchestra – does that count?!

5. Favourite album cover?

Badly Drawn Boy – The Hour of The Bewilderbeast. I remember going into XL Recordings in the Northern Quarter in Manchester when I was a student and seeing the model that Andy Votel had made which was then photographed – it was so intricate and beautiful.

6. What's your go-to karaoke song?

“I Heard It Through The Grape Vine” Marvin Gaye.

7. Favourite music video?

Anything by Missy Elliott – I think “Work It” is my fav.

8. What song gets you dancing in your living room?

Any Motown or Northern Soul. Or Britney Spears.

9. Favourite movie and soundtrack?

Cruel Intentions

10. If you could direct a music video for any artist/band, who would it be?

Missy Elliott or Bjork. A strong, creative female.

11. Film director idol?

Baz Luhrmann. Romeo and Juliet is my favourite film of all time.

12. What are you reading at the moment?

‘The Paper Palace” by Miranda Cowley Heller

13. What are you watching at the moment?

Season 4 of the Handmaids Tale.

14. Greatest influence on your career?

The strong women who have encouraged and inspired me along the way.

15. Best use of music in a commercial?

Aqua Lung – “Strange And Beautiful” in the VW Beetle advert in 2002 – I remember wanted that car so bad! But I could only afford a Fiat Panda…

What band / artist is your guilty pleasure?

I’m not averse to some boy band action- Take That, Blue and backstreet boys.

Anything you want to tell us about?

I used to be in a girl band. We once supported Claire Sweeney.

Thank you Rhi!