Vadim Jean

Ob 1982

Award-winning film maker, director and executive producer, Vadim Jean established his own production company in 1989 soon after leaving BGS. He first came to public attention as a director when “Leon the Pig Farmer” won him the FIPRESCI International Critics’ Prize at the 1992 Venice Film Festival, the Best Newcomer award from the London Critics’ Circle, the Most Promising Newcomer at the Evening Standard British Film Awards, and the Chaplin Award for the best first feature from the Edinburgh International Film Festival.

Since then, he earned the reputation as one the leading commercial directors working with top agencies for campaigns including Iceland, Ponds, Volkswagen, Greggs The Bakers, Kodak, Hogfather and the COI. Vadim’s feature documentary In the Land of the Free was critically acclaimed as the ‘Best Documentary of 2010’ by the London Evening Standard.

What are your best memories of BGS?

There are so many, but they would include beating Millfield away at hockey in what would now be year 10. Acting in so many school plays and having the opportunity to try everything I could possibly have wanted to.

Can you remember any teachers at BGS who had an impact on you?

I had many inspiring teachers including my house master Mr Rolling, Mr Revill who inspired me to do a history degree, Bob Shaw who introduced me to my beloved hockey, Roland Clare (who was the first polymath I’d come across) and who made me believe you could be a musician, an actor, make films and invent games all at once. Mr Jackson (whose ‘Arts Miscellany’ class saw me make my first film) who taught me English along with Mr Camp and gave me a love of literature.

Why did you choose film making?

The first film I ever made was an animation of a Kit Kat bar unwrapping itself but that was all at school. Deciding I didn’t want to be an actor at university coincided with watching a lot of films on the big screen at Warwick. I loved the power and visceral emotion of those films and decided I wanted to do something like that but behind the camera. I also (mistakenly) thought that being a film director might make it easier to get a girlfriend...

Could you have chosen another path and what might that have been?

I acted in every school play at BGS and thought I’d end up as an actor but while at university I didn’t get the lead in the first play I auditioned for when at BGS I had always got the main part when teachers just chose the best actor! When it turned out it was because another student who was directing the play had cast himself, I decided right then I wanted to be the one making the decisions behind the camera. So, I suppose it could have been an actor. Now I sneakily wish if I’d been more talented, then I would love to have been a professional sportsman.

What has been the most significant highlight of your career?

The feature documentary

‘Cruel & Unusual’ I made over the course of eight years that helped secure the release of 3 members of the Black Panther Party in America who had been wrongfully incarcerated for over a hundred years between them in solitary confinement in Louisiana. That must rank among the most significant to date. And being the first person to bring Terry Pratchett’s Discworld to life as a live action adaptation and then having my name on the published screenplay next to his (and my name was bigger!).

What has been your most challenging project?

Every single one. There’s always a challenge. That’s why it’s rewarding and fun. I love solving problems, especially if by being ingenious you can create something magical without just throwing huge resources at the project.

What’s next for you?

I’m directing the feature documentary about double Olympic champion in the decathlon, Daley Thompson.

What motivates you?

Trying to be the best I can possibly be, whether it’s making a film or playing hockey. I still haven’t won my BAFTA and though I was selected to play for England hockey masters in the indoor World Cup last year, it was cancelled because of COVID; so I’m looking to get those three lions on my chest next year instead!

What advice would you give to your younger self?

Just keep doing what you’re doing because it’s going to turn out pretty well...

Nigel Hall OB 1960

Nigel left BGS in 1960 going on to become an internationally respected sculptor and draughtsman with over 100 solo and over 300 group exhibitions around the world. He studied Art at the West of England College and the Royal College of Art before accepting a Harkness Fellowship in California in 1967. A career full of international exhibitions, fellowships and awards, Nigel now resides and works in Balham, London. You can read more about Nigel’s career on his website www.nigelhallartist.com

What are your most cherished memories at BGS?

My involvement with the naval cadets and time spent at sea has remained a cherished memory for sixty five years. On one occasion I was instructed to take the helm of a minesweeper on a journey around Lands End. Alone in charge of a naval ship for a couple of hours at the age of sixteen has remained a great early memory. A gratifying discovery were the fives courts, an enjoyable alternative to the rigours of rugby. It might also have contributed to my spatial awareness and fondness for the geometry of angles!

Can you remember any teachers at BGS who had an impact on you?

Latin master ‘Doc’ Martin was a wonderful, learned and kind man who I remember with affection. Mr. Carter, who I believe taught me in the third form, has a warm place in my memory. He realised I was interested in art and antiquity and out of the blue, gave me a small collection of Greek and Roman coins which I still have today. Eric Dehn taught French and remains strong in my memory. His brother Paul gave me an encouraging review in a school play and suggested I made acting a career, but I chose art school instead. I came very close to making a career in the navy however, my grandfather, a stonemason, shaped my final choice of careers.

What has been the most significant highlight of your career?

Significant highlights would include my retrospective at the Yorkshire Sculpture Park in 2008 as well as gaining a Harkness Fellowship and spending two years working and travelling in the States. Election to the Royal Academy of Art was a great moment, symbolised by the signing of the book and adding one’s name to such a distinguished list of artists dating back more than 250 years. Representing Great Britain at the 1988 Seoul Olympics by making a large sculpture which still stands beside one of the stadiums was an honour.

What has been your most challenging piece?

Last year I made a large steel sculpture for the University of Iowa. Due to its size, 4 × 4 metres, it had to be made in three parts and assembled on site. There were transport problems due to the pandemic and the over-sized nature of the shipment. I oversaw the installation from London using a video call which saved on air miles!

What’s next for you?

2023 will see a few solo exhibitions including a large show in Bad Homburg near Frankfurt for which I’m making new steel sculptures. A second book on my work will be published next year.

What motivates you?

I keep with me at all times, a small sketchbook/notebook in which I make drawings, ideas, lists, anything of note to generate ideas or stimulate new work. This along with reading and listening to music relaxes me and driving has also always been a pleasure. I have driven coast to coast across the USA twice and the length and breadth of Europe several times.

What advice would you give to your younger self?

One – seize every opportunity that presents itself. This I often failed to do. The other, which I did follow was whatever path you choose in life, prepare for the long haul and enjoy it as much as possible – and always retain an optimistic spirit.