Richard Webb and The Beautiful Chaos Behind the Camera

Since arriving in Spain over 25 years ago from his native Durban, South Africa, Richard Webb has built a distinguished career in the advertising industry. With a deep passion for production, he has worked across a wide range of formats and scales, earning his expertise through hands-on experience in diverse projects.

Now based in Mallorca with his wife and children, Richard co-founded 247's Palma office in 2019. Under his leadership, the fully-fledged operation has become a key player in servicing productions across the Balearic Islands for some of the world's leading advertisers. He has collaborated with top-tier directors such as Kim Gehrig, Autumn de Wilde, Martin de Thurah, Fredrik Bond, Martin Werner, Steve Rogers, and Tim Godsall, helping bring their creative visions to life.

Richard sat down with LBB to look back over 25 years in production – from walking onto his first shoot to chaotic boat-swapping stories that would make even the most seasoned producers stress…

LBB> How did you end up in production?

Richard> In 1999 I left Durban for Marbella because someone mentioned beaches and beer. A friend invited me to a ‘shoot’. I thought it involved guns. Turns out it involved cameras, cables, and a lot of shouting. I had no idea what was going on but I loved it.

A few years later I was setting up an office for Bubble Films. I had absolutely no clue what I was doing. I started with a desk, added coffee, and somehow built a company. After that, I freelanced for every production outfit that would have me. Bees Pictures, The Circus, Good Rolling, Widescope. It was a blur of fake gunfire, car rigs, exploding props, and mild panic.

My first real producing job came from Bash Robertson at Bubble Films. He gave me a small project, I didn’t screw it up, and suddenly I was a producer. I became the fixer everyone called when things went wrong. One job had 150 extras in Almeria pretending to be Beirut, Israel, and probably outer space. I survived that and decided I was in the right business.

In 2007 a Belgian producer called me about an adventure reality show that started in Brazil and ended somewhere near Mongolia. We covered 10,000 kilometers, crossed every climate known to man, and by the end my luggage was begging for mercy.

In 2009 Palma Pictures hired me and I spent eight incredible years in Mallorca, eventually becoming head of production. In 2018 I decided to freelance again and met Ivo Van Vollenhoven and Gordon Mackinnon from 247. We hit it off and opened the Palma office in 2019. These days I run Tenerife and the Canary Islands. It’s sun, sea, and logistical mayhem. I love it. And yes, Istanbul is catching up, which keeps us on our toes.

LBB> What makes 247 special?

Richard> Culture and people. That’s the heart of it.

We really invest in our teams. We train, support, and trust them. Some leave, learn even more, and then come back as freelancers. It’s like a big creative family that never quite escapes each other.

Our culture thrives under pressure. We laugh through the chaos and always find a way. Everyone shares the same DNA. We are all wired to stay calm, solve problems, and have fun doing it.

And we are truly global now. When I started, we were in two countries. Now we are everywhere. There is a bit of friendly competition between offices which keeps everyone sharp and slightly mad.

LBB> What’s the craziest shoot you have done?

Richard> The boat story. I will never forget it.

We had to shoot a boat from a helicopter on both sides of Mallorca in two days. The first day went fine. That night we sent the boat across the island by truck. The next morning someone mentioned a boat blocking the highway. Of course it was ours.

Pure panic. The owner was crying, the visiting producer looked like they might faint, and everyone turned to me. I found a near identical boat, got the director to approve, and called the dealer. He wanted cash immediately and permission from the owner. We gathered money from the crew, tracked the owner to a bar watching football, and because his team had just won, he said yes. The boat arrived at ten in the morning and we started shooting like nothing happened. I still get sweaty thinking about it.

LBB> How do you stay calm when everything goes wrong?

Richard> Experience and communication.

Someone in the team has always been through something worse. We talk, share, and solve it fast. Listening helps too. Once clients feel heard, they relax.

And we talk constantly. Before, during, and after every job. Our executive producers stay involved so if something blows up, we already have a plan before anyone starts panicking.

LBB> What’s your approach to scouting?

Richard> Scouting is like dating. You are looking for something that looks great, feels right, and will not disappoint you later.

We work with scouts who have a real creative eye, people who see beauty where others see nothing. The right photo can sell a director before they even land. We often revisit locations just to find a new angle or a fresh vibe.

LBB> How do you deal with small budgets?

Richard> By focusing on what matters most – the director’s vision.

Money is important but not everything. Some of the best projects I have done had no money at all. Passion and creativity are what make it work. If you keep your eye on the story, everything else finds a way.

LBB> What’s the secret to working with local crews and clients?

Richard> Be human. Be kind. Be curious.

We stay connected to our local communities and always keep our doors open. We might look like a big operation but we are approachable and we genuinely care.

Clients come back because we always deliver more than they expect and we stay calm when things go sideways. Even when we are panicking inside, we look like we have it under control.

LBB> How is the industry changing?

Richard> Faster than ever.

Virtual studios, AI, remote workflows – they are all becoming part of the job. But the heart of it stays the same. It’s still about problem solving and creating something beautiful out of chaos. The tools change but the passion doesn’t.

LBB> What advice would you give clients?

Richard> Work with people who challenge you.

The best partners are not the ones who just say yes. They are the ones who push you to go further, who bring ideas you did not see coming, who make your work better.

That is the real magic of collaboration.