Client
The Content Machine is a company formed by Tyler J Perry and Michael Mazzitelli, specialising in social media content creation.
They’ve been producing comedy and satire for over ten years and have built an audience of approximately 8 million followers across all platforms.
Long-time friends who live together in Los Angeles, their humour is approachable, irreverent, and unapologetic.
What Drew Me In
How did the opportunity come to me? Why did I say yes?
I actually found this opportunity on Instagram.Tyler had posted a story about needing production support. I messaged him on a whim, expecting nothing from it. A week later, we were on a video call, mostly so I could confirm he was real and not someone who had hacked his account.
Tyler turned out to be a genuinely lovely person to work with. He was open and collaborative and always walked me through his thinking process so I could understand his decisions. He’s also a talented writer who effortlessly manages both the creative and logistical sides of production. I knew straight away that I wanted to work with him.
This project felt right up my alley: I already had experience in production coordination, casting, and location scouting, and I’ve always loved their work. So I jumped at the opportunity.
Execution
We started planning on the 1st of September for an early October shoot: just about six weeks to bring it all together. Considering the brief involved securing a castle location, coordinating four other influencers, sourcing props, and organising travel and accommodation, the timeline was tight.
In theory, more time sounds ideal, but I’ve learned that long pre-production can blur focus, what could take two weeks often stretches into a month. In this case, the timeframe kept us sharp and decisive.
Scripts
We worked on a total of 10 short scripts, 9 of them written by the Content Machine guys and one idea from Helen Christie.
In hindsight, I wish I’d carved out more time to read the scripts calmly and thoroughly. Between logistics, coordination, and planning, I neglected one of the most essential parts of producing: fully absorbing the creative content.
That’s a mistake I’ll remember for next time: production is not just about making things happen, but understanding why they’re happening in the story.
Location
After extensive research, we selected Berkeley Castle as our main location. It was both visually rich and logistically practical: close to an Airbnb that captured the medieval tone we wanted and near Bath, a region I know well.
For this project, I compiled a Castle Scouting List, which includes dozens of historic venues across the UK with details on rates, permissions, and aesthetic suitability.
Talent
Helen Christie
Ali Woods
Leah Lammar
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