This month, we sat down with singer and film production coordinator Sára Herrer. We talked, about music, films, and dogs! Read on to find out more.

Hi Sára, you’re well-known in the indie pop world, but you work in the film industry as well. Tell us about your different roles and jobs! 

Music is the main theme in my life and has been for a very long time. I’m a singer in the band Mary PopKids, it's a 14-15-year-old indie pop band based in Budapest. We've performed at a lot of festivals and have had many adventures both in Hungary and abroad, but recently we’ve placed the band on the back burner, as priorities have changed within the group. We’re a crew of eight, and it's not that easy to schedule together so many members, especially now that more and more of us have families. One of our bass players got married this past summer, so our last gig was at a fitting venue, his wedding.

Besides music, I’ve also been working in film and advertising production, for the past seven years. I work in films and commercials as a production coordinator, although sometimes I also work as an assistant to well-established actors who come here to shoot, or I'll accompany them abroad. So that's another exciting part of my role, but in general, coordination is the main part of my job. But I do miss the creative energy that comes with music a lot, so it’s something I always go back to as much as I can in various forms and side projects.

Do you have any hobbies besides singing and music?

Pilates — but I have to be honest, I didn’t go to classes for a while, but I’m back at it now. My pilates instructor used to teach in Hűvösvölgy, but recently joined Mao Pilates Studio, which is in my neighborhood, so I have no excuses anymore!

Otherwise, on the weekends, whenever I don’t have to work, or have more than one day off at a time, you can find me down in Szentbékkálla, a small village by Lake Balaton. We have a small house with a huge garden there, just past the forest. It’s our little kingdom, “our Tuscany”, and a home and spiritual refuge for both me and my dogs. It's where I relax, take comfort in gardening, sweeping fallen leaves, and just being out in the countryside. 

Of course, when I’m in town, I go to concerts, I like to go see up-and-coming bands perform, as well as the shows of all my friends, so that’s something I do often.

What does a normal day look like for you?

It depends, if I'm working I’ll be up early, although I’m an early riser anyway, and the dogs are also a part of my routine, so I’ll start the day by taking them for a walk. I don’t drink coffee, so I don’t really have a morning routine, it’s usually just me rushing to places and things being hectic. On some days I’ll be at the office, preparing for shoots, other times I’ll be on location or at the studio shooting from morning ‘till night. If my day is more laid back, even then I keep a busy schedule…I guess it’s just the way I am.

What part of your job do you like the most?

Shooting days are always special, there’s so much going on and it’s an interesting experience to get sucked into a different world. It’s also what I really liked about the gigs, packing, getting on a bus and suddenly you're in some other city doing something totally different. The stage is my playground, I love it. It's why I go all out and have crazy hair or wear crazy clothes, to get away from everyday life. It doesn't matter if you're getting on a bus to perform at a gig or going to a film set or doing something out of this world. I also thrive in situations where problems and situations arise that need to be solved ASAP. It's been a learning curve, but I feel in my element even in such tense, stressful situations. Obviously, the pre-production period for a film or a commercial is different, it's more bureaucratic and less exciting. I’m also interested in the work producers do, and it would be great to learn more and gain more insight into the production side of films too.

How long have you had your SAILOR PACK for?

I’ve had it since 2020 or 2021, so it’s been mine for around three years now. 

Do you wear it on a daily basis?

Mostly for work, but of course, there are times when I carry a smaller bag. It’s great for the days when I need my laptop and notebooks with me, it's a comfortable and practical piece to wear to work.

Laptop Case - I stole it from my boyfriend! It’s such a beautifully handcrafted, leather case. Although my backpack has a separate little laptop section inside, a lot of times I just sling it over my shoulder when I’m running around locations and film sets, so it’s nice to have some extra protection.

Dachshund Keychain - One of my dogs is a dachshund, so you don’t have to look far to find all sorts of dachshund memorabilia on me. 

Earphones - I only recently bought them, and it’s really grown on me. Its sound quality is great and I love the design.

Kaweco Fountain Pen - This is also from my guy, the brand makes super cool pens, and I like to write by hand when I can. In film production, I have to scribble down a lot of things fast, and I still prefer to take notes on paper rather than on my laptop. My laptop notes are full too, but hey, at least I try.

Perfume - It's from Porto, Portugal, and from a brand there where each bottle is numbered, so it's a very special piece. I spent hours in the store, this one has a fresh, citrus scent, but it was so difficult to pick just one bottle! 

Egg Shaker - This was a gift either from my dad or our percussionist, but either way, it’s an important object in my life.

Guerlain Lipstick - It’s a red lipstick I usually wear for parties, and the design is really nice, when you open it, there's a mirror inside, so that’s a special touch they included.

Omorovicza Moisture Mist & Lipbalm - These are my must-have beauty products, the face mist is so refreshing, not to mention its scent.

Scarf- This was a gift from my friend Tomi Szécsi. He designs and makes them himself under the brand VYF.

Dachshund Hair Clip - This is from Toronto, and I have two. I rarely wear my hair down so I always have a hair clip or hair tie with me.

Water Bottle - I have a lot of water bottles at home, and if I can, I take one with me everywhere I go. It’s such an important alternative to buying plastic bottles.

Braces - The story of my past year and a half…but thankfully now I only have to wear them at night.

Polaroid Camera - I used to have a long wire on my balcony, with loads of photos hanging from it, from parties, concerts and life in general. They’re my favorite keepsakes.

photos by Botond Wertan