Ben Parkin and Alex Bedford on Falling in Love with the Great Spectacle of Film Production

Ben Parkin and Alex Bedford are the co-founders and executive producers of A Running Commentary (A.R.C), an independent, London-based creative studio and production company specialising in both live-action and animation. A.R.C. produces commercials, scripted films, and non-fiction content, driven by bold storytelling and innovative craftsmanship.

Since its launch in 2015, A.R.C has collaborated with some of the world’s most recognisable brands, including JBL, Harley Davidson, Red Bull, Sky, Carlsberg, and Jaguar. The company is home to a roster of world class directors renowned for their artistry and originality.

A.R.C’s standout animation projects include ‘Pacemaker’, a 3D animated musical that earned an Annie award nomination, written and composed by Emmy-winning Christopher Lennertz; ‘All in a Day’s Work’, a stop-motion series created for Mailchimp; and ‘It’s Nice That’ directed by Effie Pappa, and a 2D animated feature film based on an acclaimed American novel developed with Netflix.

A.R.C. is actively developing and producing a slate of live-action feature films in both scripted and non-fiction, exploring compelling stories from the worlds of sports, art and horror.

At its core, A.R.C. is a collective of multi-talented creatives dedicated to discovering and nurturing unique, untold stories. The company’s mission is to spark deeper conversations about the human condition – seamlessly blending entertainment with artistry to create thought-provoking narratives that resonate on a global scale.

Both Ben and Alex sat down with LBB to look back on their production, forming their leadership styles and A.R.C.’s upcoming projects to keep an eye out for.

LBB> What first attracted you to production? And has it been an industry you’ve always worked on or did you come to it from another area?

Ben and Alex> We met on day one at uni on a film course and we both knew cinema was our thing… Fast forward a few years, and we decided to build a production company making ads, stills campaigns and increasingly film, together from scratch. Ten years later, here we are.

At first, it was the sheer magic of it all. The spectacle. Seeing ideas that shouldn’t exist somehow appear on screen. And those clever people behind the scenes, pulling it off and making you suspend disbelief for a moment. We were hooked.

Then, it shifted. We became obsessed with the process. Collaborating with talented people, orchestrating dozens, sometimes hundreds, of individuals toward a singular creative goal.

That shared intensity, that short burst of creative chaos, is still what gets us excited every day.

LBB> What was your first role in the production world and how did this experience influence how you think about production and how you grew your career?

Ben> I started as a runner at Gorgeous.

Alex> After a brief stint on the agency side, I started as a PA at Independent. Soho was a playground back then, and production was a complete mystery.

Ben and Alex>What hit us straight away was how much the job demanded process, grit, and clear communication. Funny enough, for Ben, it felt a bit like growing up in his dad’s restaurant.

Those first PA and runner years were formative. We learned budgeting, scheduling, and logistics but just as crucial were the soft skills: dealing with personalities, reading a room, learning how to stay calm.

LBB> How did you learn to be a producer?

Ben and Alex> By throwing ourselves in. There were projects early on that pushed us to our limits. Long days, tricky schedules, regular curveballs.

We quickly learned that challenges aren’t permanent. With a solid plan and a great team, there’s always a solution. Those moments of high pressure problem solving are what really built our instincts and confidence.

LBB> A good producer should be able to produce for any medium, from film to events to digital experience. Do you agree or disagree with this statement? Why/why not?

Ben and Alex> We’ve done a bit of everything: live action, docs, animation, and some combining all three. There are nuances in every medium. While it’s possible to pick them up quickly, we tend to work with specialists in their fields. That said, the fundamentals: managing teams, workflows, problem-solving can translate across the board.

LBB> What’s your favourite thing about production and why?

Ben and Alex> Teamwork. That magical moment when chaos becomes something polished and exciting. Watching a project evolve from a chat around a table to a finished piece, where everyone gets their moment to shine, is class. And of course, nothing beats seeing clients smiling at the end of a shoot.

LBB> How has production changed since you started your career? And what has stayed the same?

Ben and Alex> Budgets are tighter, the sales process is different, but the grind hasn’t changed. The creative problem solving and the shared intensity remains the same.

LBB> What do you think is the key to being an effective producer? Is it something that’s innate or something that can be learned?

Ben and Alex> It’s a balance: lead by example, but listen. Listen to your team, your project, your instincts. Drive things forward, but give people space to do their best work.

And yes, you can learn it. You just need time, experience, and a willingness to make mistakes without letting them weigh you down. Those instincts come from doing, failing, learning, and repeating.

LBB> Which production project from across your career are you most proud of and why?

Ben and Alex> ‘Mailchimp x It’s Nice That’: a six-part stop-frame series, directed by Effie Pappa. A real creative puzzle resulting in a really sweet and tactile collection of shorts.

‘Lenovo Legion’,directed by Eric Lynne is a wonderfully chaotic film with stunts, complex camera set up, and 3D game characters smashing up the real world. A strong collaborative agency relationship with a shared ambition meant we were able to all push in the same direction. Brilliant teamwork and HoDs.

‘Jaguar I-Pace’, one from the early days, but it still stands up today! A testament to on-the-spot problem solving, and everything that comes with a concept car as a product.

Each one taught us something new and gave us the joy of working with incredible teams.

LBB> And in terms of recent work, which projects have you found to be particularly exciting or have presented particularly interesting production challenges?

Ben and Alex> We’re directing and producing a feature doc about an artist who has spent 18 years on one compelling, enormous, provocative oil painting. It’s an unbelievable story and one we can’t wait to share (and can’t give too much away about for now!).

Working in docs is a different, more patient ballgame – and that in itself is like learning a new language.

We also have a select few scripted feature projects in the works. From a genre thriller film to a biopic about a sporting legend.

LBB> Producers always have the best stories. What’s the hairiest / most insane situation you’ve found yourself in and how did you work your way out of it?

Ben and Alex> No comment! Those stories are reserved for the pub.

LBB> What are your personal ambitions or aspirations as a producer?

Ben and Alex> We’re driven by stories and always have been. We want to make projects that are brave, unique, meticulously crafted, and deeply personal. Stories that carry a message, told with teams that reflect the material honestly. Production is ultimately about people. If your team gels, the work resonates.

LBB> As a producer your brain must have a neverending ’to do’ list. How do you switch off? What do you do to relax?

Ben and Alex> We’re basically one person with two heads, constantly dreaming about the next film.

Things move fast and we like it that way, and prioritising becomes an overlooked art form. It sounds obvious,but choosing what is a priority and what isn't can sometimes feel like a gamble.

Some things are obvious priorities. Other things are circumstantial. And so you have to make decisions, and be kind to yourself, knowing your goal is to keep nudging the dial.

But for sanity: running, cycling. Those moments reset everything.

LBB> What advice would you give to people who are interested in becoming a producer?

Ben and Alex> Dive in. Ask questions. Learn by doing. Don’t wait to feel ready. Experience is the best teacher.

LBB> What’s the key to a successful production-client relationship?

Ben and Alex> Clear communication, collaboration from day one, everyone firing in the same direction. Simple but crucial.

LBB> Producers are naturally hands on – they have to be. How do you balance that in the more managerial role of an EP?

Ben and Alex> Regular check-ins, plus the advantage of having been on set ourselves. Understanding the nuts and bolts of production makes stepping back in a managerial role much easier.