From Love Island to The Crown: Inside Spain's Production Revolution

In this episode of Technically Creative by KoobrikLabs, Orlando Wood sits down with Mike Day, CEO of Palma Pictures, to unpack what it really takes to run one of Europe’s top production service companies. Mike shares the story behind Palma Pictures’ growth from its roots in Mallorca to a major player across Spain and Portugal – helping studios, production houses, and brands bring complex creative visions to life. From doubling Spain as every country under the sun for The Crown to pioneering the production logistics behind reality juggernauts like Love Island, Mike offers a masterclass in creative problem-solving at scale. The conversation explores the evolving role of service companies, the hidden logistics behind seamless shoots, and how production ecosystems survive – and even thrive – through crises like the 2008 crash and COVID. Mike also reflects on the balancing act of building a business with ‘four engines’ – scripted, unscripted, commercial, and digital content – and why the best briefs are the ones that make you a little scared. Whether you’re a producer, a creative, or just fascinated by what it takes to keep the wheels turning behind the scenes, this episode is a deep dive into the unglamorous, indispensable world of production logistics – with a view from paradise. Orlando and Mike discuss: How Palma Pictures grew into one of Europe’s leading production service companies Why Spain’s versatility makes it a global production magnet The hidden complexity behind shows like The Crown and Love Island Lessons in resilience: surviving the 2008 crash, COVID, and industry strikes What production service teams see before the rest of the industry does