Method in the Madness: Why Teenagers Run Our Production Company

In most production companies, finding a teenager near the executive table would cause panic. At The Spit Game, it's business as usual. And that's exactly how we like it.

Ripping Up The Youth Voice Rulebook

Let's be real - most organizations' idea of "youth voice" is having a kid smile in their promo materials or letting young people pick the snacks for their focus group. Better than that, they will have a “groundbreaking” youth advisory board (often where their advice is rarely taken on) or even intern roles (because they are not experienced enough yet to lead).

The Spit Game took a different approach: actual leadership. Not consultation. Not participation. Leadership.

"When I tell people our Head of Logistics is 20, they panic," says Founder Benjamin Turner. "When I show them how she manages events and budgets better than most adults I know, they get quiet pretty quickly."

The Leadership Model: Gen Z Edition

Our executive team reads like a CV nightmare for traditional companies, with all the following age 20 or younger:

- Associate Director & Head of Rap Clubs (Toni Olabanji)

- Head of Logistics (Ria Thomas)

- Music Co-Leads (Ryan Walker & Aaron Barai)

- Film Lead (Jeffrey Otame)

- Communications Lead (Vidal Logie)

But here's the thing - they're crushing it. Our films are hitting BAFTA-qualifying festivals. Our music artists are getting major label attention (with an increasing number signed or working there). And our budgets? Always balanced, always justified, always professional.

"But How Do You Maintain Standards?"

Short answer: We don't have to. Our young team set them higher than ever!

Take our film "Dead Fun" - a complex narrative exploring youth violence through an innovative horror lens. The screenplay went through 20 versions, each pushed by our young team to be sharper, darker, more authentic. Then we shot the full feature-length project (initially) within 4 days, with a performance at Royal Albert Hall in the middle and the final edit one week after. This is all whilst balancing running rap clubs across London and a wide range of other projects. When an 18-year-old is passionate about telling their community's stories right, they don't need adults enforcing "standards."

Our process embraces what others see as chaos:

- We use a range of communication tools to suit our needs rather than to fit within norms/expectations

- Meetings happen at a music studio more often than boardrooms

- Creative decisions lead our planning, we then make the logistics work for us

- Our audience is our leadership

The Secret Sauce: Real Stakes, Real Responsibility

Here's where we differ from other youth organizations:

- We don't just give young people a “panel”, “internship” or "projects" - they run the whole company

- There's no block to their decisions, they lead

- Success or failure sits squarely on all our shoulders

- Their creative vision drives everything, not funder requirements

- They manage real budgets, not pocket money

- Every role is paid - this isn't work experience, it's their career

The Benefits Are Clear:

For The Young People:

- Real-world experience without the usual gatekeeping

- Career progression based on talent, not age

- Ownership of their narrative and creative vision

- Professional skills developed through actual responsibility

- Financial independence through meaningful work

For The Company:

- Authenticity in storytelling that can't be faked

- Direct connection to youth culture and trends

- Innovation in processes and communication

- Faster adaptation to changing media landscapes

- Natural succession planning as leaders develop

For The Industry:

- Fresh perspectives on tired formulas

- New pathways into creative careers

- Disruption of traditional power structures

- Proof that young people can lead professionally

- Authentic representation both on and off-screen

But What About Experience?

"Experience is just mistakes you've already made," says Turner. "Our young leaders make different mistakes than experienced professionals would - but they also find solutions adults would never think of."

Example: When our film "The Nudes" needed to handle sensitive content around digital consent, our young team developed approaches that were more thorough than industry standards around a narrative that some “adults” felt was “inappropriate” despite it being the reality young people face. This is because our team have a thorough understanding of the real issues firsthand.

Beyond Token Representation

Many organizations talk about empowering youth. We don't talk about it - we just give them the keys and let them drive.

Our projects succeed because they're genuinely youth-led, not youth-influenced:

- Scripts written with young people (involved throughout the process) about their real experiences

- Production decisions made by those who understand the culture

- Marketing strategies developed by digital natives

- Budgets managed by those who know the real cost of creating in London today

The Results Speak For Themselves

- Two films in BAFTA-qualifying festivals in 2024 alone

- Multiple BBC Children in Need-funded projects

- Regular performances at Wembley Arena and Royal Albert Hall

- Alumni signed/working at Universal and Sony

- A growing network of rap clubs across London and Birmingham

Why This Matters Now

In an industry struggling with authentic representation and genuine youth engagement, we've cracked the code: stop trying to speak for young people and let them speak for themselves.

As one funder recently noted: "We expected chaos. We got professionalism and extraordinary talent with a side of TikTok dances. We'll take it."

The Future Is Young

This isn't just a nice story about giving young people opportunities. This is a blueprint for how creative industries could - and should - work.

Our message to the industry is simple: the kids aren't just alright - they're better than alright. They're ready to lead. The only question is whether you're ready to let them.

The Spit Game is currently seeking partners who understand that youth leadership isn't just good ethics - it's good business. For collaboration opportunities, contact us.