WELCOME FROM BENlabs TONIGHT'S HEADLINE SPONSOR
HANNAH BUTTERS MANAGER OF GLOBAL CONTENT & INTEGRATION AT BENlabs“We are thrilled to return as the headline partner of the 13th BFDG Production Design Awards supporting and celebrating the achievements of the teams who bring the best of British content to life, and who we are lucky enough to work with every day. There is such incredible talent working behind the camera here in the UK, we are excited to celebrate their wonderful work and of all those nominated, as well as support the British Film Designers Guild throughout 2024.”
BENlabs specialise in integrating brands into global streaming, TV, music, film and influencer content via prop and product placement. With over 40+ years as a trusted partner within the entertainment industry, recognised by the British Film Designers Guild, Production Guild of Great Britain, BAFTA, and a BBC approved prop supplier; BENlabs enhances creative direction by aligning brands with characters, artists, and storylines. Since 2011, BENlabs has been
behind the scenes in the UK supporting UK productions to ensure creative visions are met through physical prop provision; brand and music clearances; supply of graphic assets; period and consumable product; or custom video gameplay to bring scripted moments to life on screen. BENlabs secures brands to help ground scenes in reality, offset production costs, or even generate revenue through product placement and brand partnerships.
For more information and to connect with us, scan the QR code.
uk-production@benlabs.com
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WELCOME TO THE 13 TH BFDG PRODUCTION DESIGN AWARDS
We warmly welcome all our outstanding members, sponsors, and guests to the 13th BFDG Production Design Awards supported by BENlabs, a unique celebration of our Art Department community and its extraordinary talent. And because it is at the core of who the Guild is we have chosen the theme of 'Community' for tonight's awards ceremony.
We welcome back BENlabs as our headline awards partner for the second year in a row and thank them for all they have done to help us make tonight possible.
We would also like to thank our other sponsor partners who, have gone above and beyond in their contribution to tonight’s celebration. We appreciate that with the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes last year, it was a tough time for many in the industry, and so we value their support of our awards more than ever this year. May 2024 flourish for us all!
This year we have made changes to some of the film and TV design categories. We have now divided our TV categories into budget bands and re-classified our Film categories into Feature Films and Major Motion Pictures, which should result in more clarity and fairness in the voting outcomes. There are some absolutely stunning examples of our craft in this year's nominees, and it is a testament to everyone here tonight that the quality of entries is so high.
Radio presenter and film critic Mark Kermode returns as tonight's host, marking his fourth time on our stage. We are delighted to have him as a friend of the BFDG and champion of the Art Department.
During the challenges of 2023, the BFDG has continued to support its members as a welcoming community of creatives and as a beacon of Art Department excellence. We focus on providing opportunities for members to come together physically and virtually to network, share ideas, and enrich each other.
As we move forward into the year, Blair will be stepping down as Chairperson at our next AGM, and we will welcome Jonathan as her successor. Blair has been a driving force behind the Guild during her two-year term, and we thank her for her excellent work and advocacy efforts.
Jonathan's aim for the future of the Guild is to bring more people together and build on our growing community, implementing some new initiatives alongside continuing our social events, virtual meet-ups, mentoring programmes and educational forums.
New talent is the lifeblood of our industry, no more so than in the Art Department. If we want to grow, expand, and improve our influence in promoting our craft, our prime focus should be diversifying and building our membership. Together, as many people, we can push for better standards, rates, sustainability, and crew well-being.
Along with our amazing sponsors, who have generously supported the Guild during these difficult times, we aim to build more connections and showcase the many incredible contractors who support our members.
We hope everyone has a beautiful evening!
YOUR HOST MARK KERMODE
We are very happy to be continuing our close association with Mark Kermode, and to welcome him back again this evening for a 4th year as host of our awards.
Mark is the UK's funniest, best loved and most trusted film critic. He is Co-host of the podcast Kermode & Mayo's Take, and host of BBC Radio 4's film series Screenshot alongside Ellen E Jones.
Hailed by Stephen Fry as 'the finest film critic in Britain’, he is the author of several books about film, including Hatchet Job and It's Only A Movie, How Does It Feel?, The
Good, The Bad and the Multiplex, and BFI Classics on The Exorcist, The Shawshank Redemption and Silent Running.
He has written and presented film and music shows on Channel 4, BBC 2 and BBC 4, and on BBC Radio stations 1, 2. 3, 4, 5Live and more.
He holds two Sony Awards for his radio programmes. His band The Dodge Brothers' album The Sun Set was voted Blues Album of the Year 2013. His monthly stage show Mark Kermode Live in 3D at the BFI Southbank is in its ninth year and has consistently full houses.
TONIGHT THE ORDER OF EVENTS
6:00 PM
VIP CHAMPAGNE RECEPTION SPONSORED BY DRS
6:30 PM
CHAMPAGNE RECEPTION SPONSORED BY DRS (ALL OTHER GUESTS)
7:30 PM
DINNER IS SERVED
9:45 PM AWARDS PRESENTATION
11:00 PM AFTER PARTY
02:00 AM CARRIAGES
09–10
17-19
THE PETER LAMONT SPOTLIGHTING NEW TALENT AWARD
SUPPORTED BY WARNER BROS. STUDIOS LEAVESDEN“We are delighted to continue our support of The British Film Designers Guild and their annual Production Design Awards. These awards recognise and celebrate the achievements of the Production Design and Art Departments working in our industry and shine a light on the talented individuals whose contributions bring film and TV productions to life on our screens.
The Peter Lamont Spotlighting New Talent Award highlights the future stars of the next generation of filmmakers, and we are incredibly proud to be supporting this award. We are committed to fostering the next generation of those working in our industry and celaebrate the new talent bringing their ideas and skills to our departments. Many congratulations to all this year’s inspiring nominees and winners; we are excited to watch your career paths unfold and look forward to seeing your work on our screens in years to come.”
OLIVIA CLARKE SET DEC ASSISTANT
During my BA in Fine Art I further developed my interest in world building and story-telling. I specialised in making large scale lino prints, and delved into historical reference to interpret and depict my ancestors during the Australian Goldrush, and into 19th century Ireland.
As I graduated from my BA during lockdown 2020 I applied to The National Film and Television School for an MA in Production Design. It was here that I had the most amazing two-year experience, learning how to draft by hand, make models, and design and build my very own sets on the school’s stages.
My first set design and studio build was in 2021 - the interior of an 80’s Hymer motorhome. I became part of every motorhome holiday group possible, to research and source the real Hymer that we could shoot on location. I then tracked down suitable abandoned caravans and ripped out interior fittings to include within the structure and dressing of the set.
I entered a totally different world during the second film I designed at The NFTS, immersing myself into Estonian fantasy, folklore and marionettes.
In December 2022 I met renowned Set Decorator Jude Farr, who took me on board her incredible team, indulging in all aspects of 19th Century life for ’Belgravia: The Next Chapter’. I am so excited for the future, and to immerse myself in yet another time and place.
AMY HERRING JUNIOR DRAUGHTSPERSON
For my sixteenth birthday, I received the brick that is the Harry Potter: Page to Screen book. At the time, being the nerd that I was, I was incredibly excited to see all the beautiful images inside but instead found myself reading the whole thing cover to cover. I knew I wanted to pursue a creative pathway, but it hadn’t even occurred to me that I could make a career designing film sets!
From here I went on to study TV & Film Set Design at University of South Wales, and this was absolutely one of the best choices I’ve made in my life; with the course giving me a fantastic foundation in technical drawing and model making, which I could then build upon in my future career. I also met my closest friends, whom I’m lucky enough to now also call colleagues!
Since then, I’ve worked on a variety of projects, including Netflix’s upcoming 'Three Body Problem', 'Black Widow', 'Doctor Strange 2' and 'Deadpool 3'. I struggle to put into words the joy that I get from draughting and I feel extremely fortunate that I get to do it in such a wonderful and exciting industry.
LIBBY RICHARDSON JUNIOR DRAUGHTSPERSON
I always loved watching “behind-the-scenes” footage; to me it was more magical than the film itself. Seeing the collective efforts put in by the crew is what inspired me to attend Wimbledon College of Arts to study Set Design.
While on my first job, as a Set Dec runner on ‘The Marvels’, I was given the opportunity to draught by Dan Kearns (Art Director). Since then he has been there to guide me in all aspects of my career, like my very own Obi-Wan Kenobi.
Draughting for Set Dec combines many things I enjoy: researching objects from different cultures and time periods as well as figuring out how things operate and are constructed. The most exciting part of the job, however, has been seeing my drawings realised by the prop makers and the drapes team - it feels like that special “behind-thescenes” moment.
'Straight Shooter', Netflix/ Haggle Pictures Ltd,
Production Designer: Deborah Riley
Meg 2: The Trench, Warner Bros.
Production Designer: Chris Lowe
Set Decorator: Maudie Andrews
Most recently I worked on ‘Gladiator II’ which allowed me to really push my draughting skills further than before. I love that in this department I never know what I'm going to make next, it could be anything from alien food to a Roman toilet. I’m always keen to learn new techniques and software that can elevate my process, so I look forward to seeing what the next production holds!
BEST PRODUCTION DESIGN COMMERCIAL
SUPPORTED BY HELIX 3D
XYLEM
“TAKE THE WASTE OUT OF WATER”
KEVIN PHIPPS
PRODUCTION DESIGNER
ANTONIA GIBBS STYLIST
LEGO
TECHNIC “NEXT LEVEL NINA”
ANNA PAPA
PRODUCTION DESIGNER
CROWDSTRIKE “TROY”
GED CLARKE
PRODUCTION DESIGNER
MOULAY ABDELLAH ACHIR ART DIRECTOR
AMIN RHARDA STYLIST
Proud
Sponsors of the BFDG & Supporters of Production Design since 1962
BEST PRODUCTION DESIGN
SHORT FILM
RATTHUM (BLOOD)
ROSALIND GREGOIRE PRODUCTION DESIGNER
RECURSIVE DREAMS
OLAVO ABRANTES PRODUCTION DESIGNER
JEANNIE CHANDLER ART DIRECTOR
ELEANOR DOLAN & FRANCESCA JONES SET DECORATORS
VERRUCAWAY
OLAVO ABRANTES PRODUCTION DESIGNER
LILLIAN CACCIA ART DIRECTOR
MARIYA EVTIMOVA SET DECORATOR
THE PLANET POSITIVE AWARD
SUPPORTED BY SKY STUDIOS ELSTREE NOEL TOVEY MANAGING DIRECTOR, SKY STUDIOS ELSTREE“In 2020, Sky launched an ambitious, science-based net zero strategy called Sky Zero. Since then, we have made great progress, cutting operational emissions by more than 50% since 2018 and mobilising millions to join us on the journey to reduce their environmental footprint.
That’s why when we built Sky Studios Elstree, the UK’s newest film and TV studio, sustainability was a priority right from the start. We put everything we know into practice and we’re proud that we have some of the most ambitious studio sustainability goals in the world.
Our campus is powered by solar and renewable energy. We harvest rainwater, use sustainable LED lighting and electric vehicles plus our operations on site are free from single-use plastic. That way, when productions come to work with us, it’s easy for them to go green too, and we can help them every step of the way.
Tonight we are thrilled to be sponsoring the Planet Positive Award at the 13th Annual British Film Designers Guild Awards. The award perfectly aligns with our ethos, and we’re excited to celebrate the talented and diverse art departments across the UK who are also championing the environment in the work they do.”
Sky Studios Elstree has 12 sound stages ranging from 10,000 to 40,000 square feet as well as over 350,000 sqft of workshop space, five fully kitted out production offices, six acres of backlot, screening rooms and a café space.
The site is easy to reach, just 20 minutes from central London, close to three major international airports and with plenty of parking spaces. Plus, to make life just that little bit easier, there’s a free electric shuttle bus from the local train station, taking crew directly onto site.
The first production at Sky Studios Elstree was the feature film adaptation of ‘Wicked’, starring Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo.
The team have also welcomed the muchloved Paddington onto site for the third film ‘Paddington in Peru’.
The site makes being a responsible production easy with sustainability built in and accessibility needs met throughout.
Sky Studios Elstree will also become a training ground for the next generation of film and TV talent, with Sky Up Academy opening later this year, training 10,000 school students a year.
Find out more at
www.skystudioselstree.com
THE PLANET POSITIVE AWARD NOMINATIONS
A HAUNTING IN VENICE
JOHN PAUL KELLY PRODUCTION DESIGNER
PETER RUSSELL SUPERVISING ART DIRECTOR
CELIA BOBAK SET DECORATOR
SARAH CROOKS ENVIRONMENTAL COORDINATOR
COBRA REBELLION
STEPHEN DALY PRODUCTION DESIGNER
GAVIN LEWIS SUPERVISING ART DIRECTOR
SAM SLATER SET DECORATOR
GOOD OMENS II
MICHAEL RALPH PRODUCTION DESIGNER
MARK HUDSON & MARTIN KELLY SUPERVISING ART DIRECTORS
BRONWYN FRANKLIN SET DECORATOR
HIJACK
ANDREW PURCELL PRODUCTION DESIGNER
ED TURNER SUPERVISING ART DIRECTOR
ALICE NORRIS & ANNALISA ANDRIANI SET DECORATORS
SLØBORN
ELWIRA PLUTA PRODUCTION DESIGNER
THE CONTINENTAL
DREW BOUGHTON PRODUCTION DESIGNER
ZSUZSI KISMARTY-LECHNER SUPERVISING ART DIRECTOR
DANIEL VINCENT & PANNI LUTTER SET DECORATORS
THE CROWN
MARTIN CHILDS PRODUCTION DESIGNER
MARK RAGGET SUPERVISING ART DIRECTOR
ALISON HARVEY SET DECORATORS
BEST PRODUCTION DESIGN
TV — LIGHT ENTERTAINMENT & BAND 1 PROGRAMMES
CATCH ME A KILLER
WARREN GRAY PRODUCTION DESIGNER
SARA HARTINGER SUPERVISING ART DIRECTOR
ANNEKE BOTHA & ANNICIA BLOOM SET DECORATORS
LOT 249 – A GHOST STORY FOR CHRISTMAS
PR SMITH PRODUCTION DESIGNER
DAVE LAWSON ART DIRECTOR
JANEETA PANESAR SET DECORATOR
THE GREATEST SHOW NEVER MADE
LAUREN TAYLOR PRODUCTION DESIGNER
MIRYAM JACOMINI SUPERVISING ART DIRECTOR
RUTHIE FALCONER SET DECORATOR
Sustainable Film is delighted to sponsor the research and outreach for the Planet Positive Award Entries Roots, our industry-leading calculator is overseeing the Award's Gala footprint and impact reduction strategy
BEST PRODUCTION DESIGN
TV — BAND 2 PROGRAMMES
SUPPORTED BY THE SCREENSKILLS HIGH-END TV SKILLS FUND
ARCHIE JACQUELINE SMITH PRODUCTION DESIGNER
TOM GOODWIN, SIMON SCULLION & NICK CHAPMAN ART DIRECTORS
JAMES GRAY SET DECORATOR
BLACK MIRROR S6
UDO KRAMER PRODUCTION DESIGNER
PHILIP BARBER & PETER FINDLEY (EP 4 'MAZEY DAY') SUPERVISING ART DIRECTORS
MIKE BRITTON SET DECORATOR
GREAT EXPECTATIONS
SONJA KLAUS PRODUCTION DESIGNER
THALIA ECCLESTONE SUPERVISING ART DIRECTOR
ELLIE PASH SET DECORATOR
www.screenskills.com/hetv
Meet the art department leaders of tomorrow
Created by industry, the High-end TV Skills Fund’s Leaders of Tomorrow inclusion programme is focused on helping talented individuals develop their careers towards senior roles in production.
A Leader of Tomorrow has earned their place on the training through their outstanding achievements and future potential. With the help of skills training, on the job learning and mentorship, they will graduate with a unique set of leadership skills that are hard to find anywhere else.
Visit screenskills.com/hetv to discover what makes a Leader of Tomorrow so special and what they could bring to your production.
Ayden Millar
Art Director
Scotland
Vigil series 2 (World Productions)
Six Four (House Productions)
Karen Pirie (World Productions)
Sion Clarke
Supervising Art Director
South West England
A Very Royal Scandal (Amazon Studios/Blueprint Pictures)
Diplomat (BBC Studios/Netflix/ World Productions)
Suspicion (Keshet UK)
Jack Rafferty
Standby Art Director
Northern Ireland
Outlander (LIONSGATE+/STARZ)
The Rig (Wild Mercury and Kudos for Amazon)
Wreck (Euston Films)
Lilyana Houghton-Freeman
Art Director
London
Surface S2 (West Picture Co, Hello Sunshine)
The Great S3 (LIONSGATE+/ MRC Television)
Great Expectations (BBC Studios)
Daniel Kennedy
Art Director
Wales
Lazarus Project 2 (Urban Myth Films)
Lost Boys and Fairies (Duck Soup Films)
Alex Rider Series 3 (Eleventh Hour Films)
The Leaders of Tomorrow programme has been a fantastic opportunity for me. It has introduced me to a network of support and training that has accelerated my progression within the industry.”
David Crewdson - Art Director - South West England
BEST PRODUCTION DESIGN
TV — BAND 3 & 4 PROGRAMMES
SUPPORTED BY BENLABS
LOKI S2
KASRA FARAHANI PRODUCTION DESIGNER
TIM BLAKE SUPERVISING ART DIRECTOR
JILLIE AZIZ SET DECORATOR
SILO
GAVIN BOCQUET
PRODUCTION DESIGNER
PHIL HARVEY SUPERVISING ART DIRECTOR
AMANDA BERNSTEIN SET DECORATOR
THE CROWN S6
MARTIN CHILDS PRODUCTION DESIGNER
MARK RAGGETT SUPERVISING ART DIRECTOR
ALISON HARVEY SET DECORATORS
BEST PRODUCTION DESIGN
FEATURE FILM — PERIOD
GOLDA
ARAD SAWAT PRODUCTION DESIGNER
ANDREW MUNRO SUPERVISING ART DIRECTOR
CELIA DE LA HEY SET DECORATOR
ONE LIFE
CHRISTINA MOORE PRODUCTION DESIGNER
ALINE LEONELLO SUPERVISING ART DIRECTOR
PHILIPPA HART SET DECORATOR
THE PIGEON TUNNEL
PETER FRANCIS & MARK SCRUTON PRODUCTION DESIGNERS
ASTRID SIEBEN SUPERVISING ART DIRECTOR
BERNADETT REDENCZKI & NICK ELLIS SET DECORATORS
BEST PRODUCTION DESIGN
FEATURE FILM — CONTEMPORARY
SUPPORTED BY 4WOOD TV & FILM CONSTRUCTION
MY BIG FAT GREEK WEDDING 3
GRANT ARMSTRONG PRODUCTION DESIGNER
MATTHEW KERLY SUPERVISING ART DIRECTOR
MICHAEL STANDISH SET DECORATOR
SALTBURN
SUZIE DAVIES
PRODUCTION DESIGNER
CAROLINE BARCLAY SUPERVISING ART DIRECTOR
CHARLOTTE DIRICKX SET DECORATOR
THE KITCHEN
NATHAN PARKER PRODUCTION DESIGNER
CAROLINE BARCLAY SUPERVISING ART DIRECTOR
CASEY WILLIAMS SET DECORATOR
BEST PRODUCTION DESIGN
MAJOR MOTION PICTURE — PERIOD
A HAUNTING IN VENICE
JOHN PAUL KELLY PRODUCTION DESIGNER
PETER RUSSELL SUPERVISING ART DIRECTOR
CELIA BOBAK SET DECORATOR
CHEVALIER
KAREN MURPHY PRODUCTION DESIGNER
FRANTISEK WEBER, ADAM O'NEILL (OPERA SEQUENCES) SUPERVISING ART DIRECTORS
LOTTY SANNA SET DECORATOR
FERRARI
MARIA DJURKOVIC PRODUCTION DESIGNER
STEPHAN GESSLER SUPERVISING ART DIRECTOR
SOPHIE PHILLIPS SET DECORATOR
BEST PRODUCTION DESIGN
MAJOR MOTION PICTURE — CONTEMPORARY
SUPPORTED BY TLO
LUTHER:
THE FALLEN SUN
JON GARY STEELE PRODUCTION DESIGNERS
ANDREW ROTHSCHILD SUPERVISING ART DIRECTOR
LIZ GRIFFITHS SET DECORATOR
MISSION IMPOSSIBLE 7 DEAD RECKONING
GARY FREEMAN PRODUCTION DESIGNERS
PHIL SIMS SENIOR ART DIRECTOR
RAFFAELLA GIOVANNETTI SET DECORATOR
THE COVENANT
MARTYN JOHN PRODUCTION DESIGNER
FLORIAN MÜLLER SUPERVISING ART DIRECTOR
LINDA WILSON SET DECORATOR
BEST PRODUCTION DESIGN
MAJOR MOTION PICTURE — FANTASY
SUPPORTED BY REVOLVER MOTION
BARBIE
SARAH GREENWOOD PRODUCTION DESIGNER
DEAN CLEGG SUPERVISING ART DIRECTOR
KATIE SPENCER SET DECORATOR
POOR THINGS
JAMES PRICE & SHONA HEATH PRODUCTION DESIGNERS
ADAM MAKIN & JAMES LEWIS SENIOR ART DIRECTORS
ZSUZSA MIHALEK SET DECORATOR
WONKA
NATHAN CROWLEY PRODUCTION DESIGNER
TOBY BRITTON & TOM BROWN SUPERVISING ART DIRECTOR
LEE SANDALES SET DECORATOR
OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION TO THE ART DEPARTMENT AWARD
HEATHER NOBLE ART DIRECTOR
I joined the film industry in 2000, having spent too much of my engineering degree building a set for ADC Theatre in Cambridge instead of attending lectures. But for the first 15 years of my career I was adrift, with brief stints in Propmaking and SFX followed by serious time as a Co-ordinator in Production, VFX and the Art Department. Eventually, it became clear that I should aim for the role of Supervising Art Director, where I’d be able to exploit my broad experience, my technical and organisational skills, and my love of creativity.
Today, I’m honing my skills as Art Director, and I get a kick from collaborating and problem-solving with other departments, working together to get the most visual-bang for our collective buck!
Beyond my role, I promote a broader understanding among junior colleagues and have been leading introductory training sessions for industry newcomers which explain how Props, Set Dec, Construction and Art work together as a tight-knit family, and how we each interact with the film unit as a whole.
This exposure to recent graduates has focused my mind on two other issues: the levels of neurodiversity in the industry (and how we might get the best from our teams!); and whether we’re missing out on talent because of financial and geographical barriers to entry.
In 2021, I spoke to a young colleague about dyslexia and autism, and specifically the difficulties they create around networking, handling verbal information, etc. We also discussed his personal situation: he was based in the Midlands and came from a working-class background. He had little personal or family wealth to draw on and no support from relatives, and so he was having to turn down opportunities simply because he couldn’t afford to get to them.
It occurred to me that members of the Guild may be experiencing something similar, so I contacted the office team to pitch an idea, and together we set up a Bursary Scheme which subsidises the travel and/or accommodation expenses of any member – not just juniors – who might otherwise have to turn down an opportunity, whether that be a training course, a networking event, or a work experience placement.
I felt it was important that this Bursary was self-funded, so every year I organise a 15-mile fundraising walk around a UK city to fill the coffers: Glasgow in 2022, Newcastle in 2023, and Bristol this year.
The walk itself serves several purposes:
It offers far-flung members a Guild event that’s local to them.
It’s a great way for colleagues to network, particularly those with introversion, socialanxieties and autism who might find walking sideby-side less challenging than talking face-to-face.
And it’s a super-efficient way to explore a new city: its sights, its food, and particularly its architecture – We try to pass all the main places of interest and at least one doughnut shop!
I’m delighted to have this small effort honoured by the Guild tonight, and to be given the opportunity to promote it to the wider membership.
If you feel able to support this year’s fundraising, please donate here:
https://www.gofundme.com/f/bfdg-sponsoredwalk-2024
Or alternatively you could join the walk itself: BRISTOL – 13 APRIL 2024 –contact heather@deafhaddock.net
Thank you.
CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL WINNERS AND NOMINEES TONIGHT
CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL WINNERS AND NOMINEES TONIGHT
Pinewood Group is proud to support the British Film Designers Guild awards
LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
SUPPORTED BY DATA REPROGRAPHICSMARTIN CHILDS PRODUCTION DESIGNER
Forty five years ago I was an architecture student with a degree in my pocket, a few months into a year of professional practice and I was being asked to design something called ‘light industrial units’. In other words metal warehouses to be placed around the edge of a Cambridgeshire town, bulldozing fields where I had played as a boy. Those boxes were the seeds of a career crisis.
Meanwhile I’d been spending a lot of time in Cambridge’s many cinemas. My father thought I might enjoy a favourite of his called The Third Man and took me to see it. Harry Lime’s moment in the doorway, the cat, the lighting, the car – the storytelling – changed my life. My obsession with film led to another father/son ‘moment’ when I steered Dad’s cabin cruiser into the bulrushes because I only had eyes for reading Hitchcock by Truffaut propped up on the wheel. Thankfully he knew what had to happen next.
Cut to several months later and I am starting life as what only the BBC could think of calling a Holiday Relief Design Assistant. There I have the good fortune to be placed at a drawing board beside the great designer Tim Harvey. When I wasn’t designing Blue Peter, I’d be assisting Tim on big dramas such as Bleak House and Fortunes of War, the latter prompting us both to leave the BBC to work on Ken Branagh’s first film, Henry V. Then came three more.
I moved on to art directing for Ken Adam (Nick Hytner’s The Madness of King George), then Janet Patterson (Jane Campion’s The Portrait of a Lady), and then, at last, to branching out on my own as Production Designer with John Madden’s Mrs Brown and Shakespeare in Love. More films followed, with directors such as Christopher Miles, Phil Kaufman, The Hughes Brothers, Night Shyamalan, Mark Herman, Bill Monahan, Madonna, Bill Condon and back to John Madden.
Then, in 2014, Stephen Daldry asked me to design the first ten episodes of a show called The Crown. Unusually for a freelance gig, it promised eighteen months of employment. Nine years later, ten episodes had become sixty and the show would end with a glorious finale directed by Stephen.
As I write this at home in what we call ‘The Small Back Room’, I look up and see a framed black and white photo on the wall. I see it every day. It’s of The Pavilion Cinema, St Neots, the first seven steps of its white-edged staircase visible through the doorway, lit from above, luring me in. The cinema is long demolished, its life ending with The Valley of the Dolls. It’s where, at the age of nine or ten, I first saw From Russia with Love, Lawrence of Arabia, Goldfinger, Carry on Cleo… and it’s surely where it all began.
AWARDS PRODUCTION TEAM END CREDITS
Thank you to the fantastically hard working and talented production team who have worked tirelessly, constantly going ‘above and beyond’ to bring us the 13th BFDG Production Design Awards supported by BENlabs
BDFG EVENT COMMITTEE
BLAIR BARNETTE
BFDG CHAIRPERSON
JONATHAN PAUL GREEN
BFDG VICE CHAIRPERSON
SIMON BOWLES
MAY DAVIES
SARAH HORTON
SONJA KLAUS
CLAIRE LEVINSON-GENDLER
SERENA MURPHY
OLLY WILLIAMS
BDFG OFFICE MANAGEMENT TEAM
JAYNE BENNETT
SUE CHADWICK
BIMLA JACKSON
SOPHIE JONES
SARAH LAMONT
ALI O’NEILL
BDFG MEMBER VOLUNTEERS
ANA BALTOVA-VERCUIEL
VIVIENNE BERGER
ZOE CAVENDISH EM CHURCH
WILLIAM DIXON WILL LAMONT
TOBY MUIR
THEO NEILSON MATTHEW SECCOMBE
PRODUCTION PARTNERS
FAYE MCCALLUM
13TH AWARDS EVENT IMAGE DESIGNER
BEN COOPER
GRAPHIC DESIGNER
CHRIS GIBBONS & EMMA READ REVOLVER MOTION
AWARDS CONTENT & PLAYBACK GRAPHICS REVOLVERAV.TV
DAVID SEARLE PALMBROKERS
TABLE DRESSING & GREENERY PALMBROKERS.COM
JOHN LINDSAY DATA REPROGRAPHICS
PRINT DATAREPRO.CO.UK
DANI EVANS THE LONDONER
VENUE EVENT MANAGER THELONDONER.COM
ANTHONY TAGGART UNIVERSAL PIXELS LTD
LED SCREENS UNIPIX.TV
KARL ASHMAN PEAK HIRE
ADDITIONAL SHOW PRODUCTION PEAKHIRE.CO.UK
BIRCAN TULGA
BLACK EDGE PRODUCTIONS PHOTOGRAPHY
BLACKEDGEPRODUCTIONS.COM
GAL ALKALAY STUDIOS VIDEOGRAPHY GALALKALAY.COM
MUZZ KHAN
DJ
MUZZKHAN.COM
NATASHA RUSSELL NATASHA RUSSELL EVENTS EVENT STAFF WEARENREVENTS.COM
NEW MEMBERSHIP LEVELS
Now is the time to unite as a community, encourage collaboration and innovation and become an even bigger group of skilled creatives.
We are delighted to announce that we have developed our membership to include the wider Art Department and we now welcome applications from the following new levels to join our BFDG Community.
Help us to spread the news with the wider Art Department Community and let them know the BFDG is welcoming these new levels within our membership.
EMERGING DESIGNER
DIGITAL ART DIRECTOR
SET DEC ART DIRECTOR
DRAPESMASTER/SUPERVISOR
DRAPESPERSON ASSISTANT DRAPESPERSON
PROP MAKER
ASSISTANT PROP MASTER SUPERVISING STANDBY PROPS
SUPERVISING CHARGEHAND PROPS STOREPERSON
CHARGEHAND PROPS PROPS COORDINATOR
HoD CARPENTER
HoD PLASTERER
HoD SCENIC PAINTER
HoD METAL WORKER
GET 3 MONTHS FREE MEMBERSHIP WHEN YOU JOIN OR INTRODUCE A NEW MEMBER BEFORE 29TH FEBRUARY 2024*
britishfilmdesigners.com/join