Spotlight is ComingSoon’s interview series with below-the-line and/or up-and-coming talent in the world of television and film. Our aim is to shine a spotlight on the varied positions that make the entertainment you love possible rather than focusing purely on actors and directors.
ComingSoon’s Jeff Ames was able to speak with Rob Lane, founder and executive producer of Fast Lane Productions.
Lane is a showrunner and executive producer originally from the UK with over 20 years experience working for the foremost production companies and broadcasters including Endemol, Hat Trick, Monkey Kingdom, BBC, ITV, Channel 4, and Sky. Throughout his career, Rob has worked at the cutting edge of broadcast production, digital, live events, documentary, and branded entertainment. In 2017, Lane was relocated to New York by Universal Music Group to manage video and film productions for North America.
RELATED: Spotlight Interview: The Send-Off Director John-Michael Powell
What led you to become a Founder and Executive Producer of Fast Lane Productions?
Rob Lane: We set up Fast Lane Entertainment in the UK in 2009 after I had left a Development Producer job at Warner Music. My job at Warner was to develop, pitch, and produce TV series as Warner had purchased a production company creating a new division focusing on music, entertainment, and comedy content. I set up Fast Lane Entertainment with a friend as a hybrid production company with a digital agency backing us. Back then the idea of a multi-platform, multi-discipline company was nascent. Fast Lane Productions was set up in the US in 2019 when I finished an SVP job at Universal Music overseeing video productions for North America. It seems like the music industry has been instrumental in my entrepreneurial ventures.
What was it about the upcoming George Lopez documentary that you’re producing that made you want to work on it?
I was fascinated by his story from his humble beginnings in Mission Hills being raised by his grandmother to hustling on the comedy circuit in the 70s and 80s, meeting Sandra Bullock and getting on television, and eventually having his own talk show. I could go on and on but he really is a trailblazer, an inspiration, and a bit of a rebel which I like. When I went to see his sold-out live show it only solidified his legendary status and his story has all the ingredients for a premium documentary.
What was the most challenging aspect of Fast Lane Productions expanding to unscripted television, and how did you overcome that?
The most challenging aspect of us expanding into unscripted was finding the right team. The term unscripted is very broad and includes reality, but I wanted to play to our strengths which is working with high-profile talent. As well as focusing on the projects that we believe in by giving them the time, attention and investment they need. It’s easy to get carried away continuously adding new ideas but it’s important our existing slate of shows is strong and appeals to multiple buyers.
Later this year at Wembley Stadium, Fast Lane Productions is producing the largest-ever Bollywood event called “Bollywood – The Big One”.
Do you have any fun, behind-the-scenes stories about the making of this event?
The event has been in pre-production for a few years and was postponed twice due to Covid so it feels like a bit of a dream that it is finally going ahead on the 27th of August 2022 at the hallowed Wembley Stadium. There have been a lot of phone calls and zooms with the promoters but we never gave up on this and if anything, the ideas grew grander and more ambitious. I don’t have any fun behind-the-scenes stories yet but I’m sure there will be loads closer to the time.
What were some of the things you learned from Fast Lane Productions’ past music events and branded content that you’re excited to apply to future endeavors?
I have learned to work collaboratively with large teams where we are all coming together for the same purpose: to put on the best show possible. We all need to work together for the greater good and compromise is often required. Careful planning, second-guessing and rolling with the punches are all part of the job. Working on branded content adds another layer of complexity and client management as the brands are often funding the whole production. Being patient and helpful really helps the clients understand and navigate the music world.
Do you have any other projects coming up that you can share with us?
We do have other projects coming up and I’m pleased to say we will be entering the podcast space in 2022 with a new series. But you will have to stay tuned for more details on these projects as they are announced.
