On Monday 25 September Directors UK members gathered with producers and writers for the second ever Creative Partnerships Day, in partnership with Film London.
With a crowd of creatives all under one roof at The Hallam, London, the stage was set for a day of expert speakers and practical networking and pitching opportunities. Catch up on all of our live tweets from the event below.
Good morning! We're here with @Film_London for a day of great sessions at Creative Partnerships Day - follow it all on #creativepartnerships
— Directors UK (@Directors_UK) September 25, 2017
Great #creativepartnerships day ahead with @Film_London & @Directors_UK - delighted to be involved #screenwriting
— Script Angel (@scriptangel1) September 25, 2017
Great #creativepartnerships day ahead with @Film_London & @Directors_UK - delighted to be involved #screenwriting
— Script Angel (@scriptangel1) September 25, 2017
I'm looking forward to this creative partnerships day with @directors_uk and #filmlondon #creativepartnerships #day90 #somethinglikehappy #… pic.twitter.com/0bPmpERlPu
— Eva Woods/Claire McGowan (@inkstainsclaire) September 25, 2017
First up, an introduction to the day from @Abitheberry and @Helenamackenzie #creativepartnerships
— Directors UK (@Directors_UK) September 25, 2017
Our very own @Abitheberry introduces Directors UK #creativepartnerships pic.twitter.com/E0rPFHMtKq
— Directors UK (@Directors_UK) September 25, 2017
Following the coffee and introductions, our first panel began — “What can you do to make your production sustainable?”
And now our first panel! "What can you do to make your production sustainable?" #creativepartnerships
— Directors UK (@Directors_UK) September 25, 2017
This panel features our Chair @dirstevesmith, producer Melanie Dicks and @Londonishstyle. Chaired by @Helenamackenzie #creativepartnerships
— Directors UK (@Directors_UK) September 25, 2017
Steve Smith is a BAFTA award-winning television director who has helped create some of the UK’s most popular TV shows. Steve also works closely with the BAFTA Albert Consortium as an albert ambassador, and is Chair of Directors UK.
Melanie Dicks has worked in film production in senior roles for over 25 years. In 2009 she co-founded Greenshoot, the first company of its kind. She is a recognised expert in sustainability and has advised and lectured all over Europe.
Jessica Hines is a director and Campaign Director at Purpose Climate Lab, having previously held positions at Film London and Here Now.
Helena Mackenzie is Head of Inward Investment & Business Development at Film London. Helena manages all matters pertaining to inward investment and business development, playing a key part in securing productions for London's screen industries and promoting Film London in the international marketplace.
.@Londonishstyle: "When you look at how people introduce the topic of climate change, it's always with a graph" #creativepartnerships
— Directors UK (@Directors_UK) September 25, 2017
Melanie: I went back into productions to find the carbon footprint and make it work on a budget #creativepartnerships pic.twitter.com/upOyyYlZ42
— Directors UK (@Directors_UK) September 25, 2017
Melanie: It's nervy - if you ask the crew to get the tube you know that's the day the district line will be down #creativepartnerships
— Directors UK (@Directors_UK) September 25, 2017
.@dirstevesmith: It was probably about five or six years ago a friend helped me notice how unsustainable TV is #creativepartnerships
— Directors UK (@Directors_UK) September 25, 2017
.@dirstevesmith: It's important not to tell people what they mustn't do, but instead empower them to do what they can #creativepartnerships
— Directors UK (@Directors_UK) September 25, 2017
We watch a few examples from #EastEnders where sustainability has been worked into the narrative. #creativepartnerships
— Directors UK (@Directors_UK) September 25, 2017
.@dirstevesmith This is really important - we are living a world of climate change. From hurricanes to food shortages #creativepartnerships pic.twitter.com/wbQ9KDxk0C
— Directors UK (@Directors_UK) September 25, 2017
Steve Smith has written for Broadcast magazine about how television is failing viewers over climate change. We published the piece on our website in March.
.@Londonishstyle: Our industry has a responsibility to alter public perception of the issue. #creativepartnerships
— Directors UK (@Directors_UK) September 25, 2017
And that concludes our first session! Follow @WeAreALBERT, @Purpose and @WeAreGreenshoot for more on sustainability. #creativepartnerships
— Directors UK (@Directors_UK) September 25, 2017
Many thanks to @Film_London @Directors_UK @Purpose @WeAreALBERT for a grt debate on #Sustainble prod. practices across the creative arts👏
— Greenshoot.Com (@WeAreGreenshoot) September 25, 2017
The second session of the day was “The Boy with the Top Knot - a case study”.
Our next session is a case study of "The Boy with the Top Knot" #creativepartnerships
— Directors UK (@Directors_UK) September 25, 2017
The session's panel: producer @partinator, director @lynseymiller8 and writer Mick Ford - moderated by @LotusHannon #creativepartnerships
— Directors UK (@Directors_UK) September 25, 2017
Nisha Parti is a producer whose first feature Honour was released in the UK in March 2014 and starred Aiysha Hart and Paddy Considine. She was named a Breakthrough Brit by BAFTA.
Lynsey Miller is a director. Her work includes episodes of Casualty, Eve and Doctors as well as several award-winning short films, commercials and music videos. She was named a Screen International Star of Tomorrow.
Mick Ford is an actor, screenwriter and playwright. His work includes The Passion, William and Mary and Single Father.
Lotus Hannon is a filmmaker whose work includes Man of me Dreams! and The Expiration. She is also Associate Members’ Representative on the Directors UK Board.
#creativepartnerships @film_london @Directors_UK pic.twitter.com/m7hERmcmOH
— Nahrein Kemp (@NahreinKemp) September 25, 2017
Mick: I really enjoyed the collaborative process of handing a script over to a director. #creativepartnerships
— Directors UK (@Directors_UK) September 25, 2017
Nisha: I was so bored of watching the same stories about Indians on television- and this story really moved me. #creativepartnerships
— Directors UK (@Directors_UK) September 25, 2017
Producer Nisha Parti @partinator making Boy With a Top Knot w/ writer & director @Film_London & @Directors_UK #creativepartnerships day pic.twitter.com/CAlNSJZ0Mm
— Helena Mackenzie (@Helenamackenzie) September 25, 2017
Lynsey: I thought the depiction of mental illness in the story really resonated. The portrayal was free of cliché #creativepartnerships
— Directors UK (@Directors_UK) September 25, 2017
Nisha: The worst thing I did to Lynsey was make her shoot the whole thing in three weeks! #creativepartnerships
— Directors UK (@Directors_UK) September 25, 2017
Mick: Everyone knows that you can't plan ahead for a collaboration to work - but the sense of trust here was great #creativepartnerships
— Directors UK (@Directors_UK) September 25, 2017
We are in full swing at our #creativepartnerships day with @Directors_UK, helping creatives in TV to make connections! pic.twitter.com/FlWhPOcIvU
— Film London (@Film_London) September 25, 2017
Nisha: I just followed my instincts and found the right people for the job. #creativepartnerships
— Directors UK (@Directors_UK) September 25, 2017
Nisha: Life is short and you don't want to work with people you don't enjoy spending time with. #creativepartnerships
— Directors UK (@Directors_UK) September 25, 2017
Ain't that the truth... https://t.co/DvFNJcbHuo
— Amy Coop (@theamycoop) September 25, 2017
And that's a wrap on our second session of the day. Time for a coffee break! #creativepartnerships
— Directors UK (@Directors_UK) September 25, 2017
Our panellists took to Twitter after the event...
Thanks for having us @Directors_UK @Helenamackenzie @Film_London #theboywiththetopknot https://t.co/8dcbmYe9Js
— nisha parti (@partinator) September 25, 2017
Talking all things Topknot w/ my partners in crime @partinator & #MickFord. Thanks for having us @Directors_UK #TheBoyWithTheTopknot https://t.co/yKSyVSyahi
— Lynsey Miller (@lynseymiller8) September 25, 2017
Loved chairing #TheBoyWithTopKnot panel w. impressive team @lynseymiller8 @partinator & MickFord @Directors_UK @Film_London #partnershipday pic.twitter.com/nPKDQ3Ilj8
— Lotus Hannon (@LotusHannon) September 25, 2017
A quick break in proceedings...
#caffeine #creativepartnerships pic.twitter.com/s6AoaEjw8o
— Directors UK (@Directors_UK) September 25, 2017
And we were up and running again. This time with “How we developed In Darkness”.
And we're back! Our next panel is "How we developed In Darkness" #creativepartnerships
— Directors UK (@Directors_UK) September 25, 2017
Our panel is the film's director Anthony Byrne, producer Adam Morane Griffiths and casting director @KharmelCochrane. #creativepartnerships
— Directors UK (@Directors_UK) September 25, 2017
Our moderator is filmmaker Femi Kolade #creativepartnerships
— Directors UK (@Directors_UK) September 25, 2017
Anthony Byrne is a director whose credits include Ripper Street, Silent Witness, Mr. Selfridge and The Last Kingdom.
Adam Morane Griffiths has produced projects such as Blackwood, Behold the Monkey and The Fresco Fiasco.
Kharmel Cochrane is an award-winning casting director. Her recent work includes Sundance favourites The Witch, by Robert Eggers, Lilting, starring Ben Whishaw, and The Goob by Guy Myhill.
Femi Kolade is the director of Back in the Day, Roof Jumping and Hair. He is also the co-creator of Modern Tales.
In Darkness session @Film_London @Directors_UK #creativepartnerships pic.twitter.com/QcCum487sk
— Nahrein Kemp (@NahreinKemp) September 25, 2017
#InDarkness #creativepartnerships pic.twitter.com/uyWg7z3bMW
— Directors UK (@Directors_UK) September 25, 2017
Anthony: I co-wrote In Darkness with Natalie Dormer, she knew the script very well & eventually she became the lead. #creativepartnerships
— Directors UK (@Directors_UK) September 25, 2017
Director Anthony Byrne talks about making In Darkness in London via talent agent 42 @Film_London @Directors_UK #creativepartnerships pic.twitter.com/UXcFnZLvp7
— Helena Mackenzie (@Helenamackenzie) September 25, 2017
Kharmel: Anthony is a really collaborative director and we would talk for hours about casting. #creativepartnerships
— Directors UK (@Directors_UK) September 25, 2017
Anthony: It was a tight shoot - 25 days - and all on location in London. #creativepartnerships
— Directors UK (@Directors_UK) September 25, 2017
Anthony: I like to lean into problems - it makes you producer-friendly, and means they don't keep you in the dark. #creativepartnerships
— Directors UK (@Directors_UK) September 25, 2017
Adam: It had to be a very fluid production, constantly moving, and collaborators had to buy into that. #creativepartnerships
— Directors UK (@Directors_UK) September 25, 2017
Adam: Anthony knew exactly what he wanted in every department - it was extremely useful, but also challenging. #creativepartnerships
— Directors UK (@Directors_UK) September 25, 2017
And that's a wrap on our In Darkness panel! Thank you to Femi, Anthony, Kharmel and Adam. #creativepartnerships
— Directors UK (@Directors_UK) September 25, 2017
After a quick break for lunch we began the afternoon session, this time with a fascinating discussion on the director-producer relationship — with a specific focus on the ITV drama Fearless.
Our afternoon session is about to begin - our next panel will be "The Director-Producer Relationship in TV: Fearless" #creativepartnerships
— Directors UK (@Directors_UK) September 25, 2017
Our speakers are Fearless director Pete Travis and @adriansturges, while our chair is director Amy Neil. #creativepartnerships
— Directors UK (@Directors_UK) September 25, 2017
Pete Travis is an award-winning film and television director. His work includes Dredd, Vantage Point and City of Tiny Lights for cinema and The Go-Between and Legacy for television.
Adrian Sturges is a producer of film and television, with credits including The Escapist, The Disappearance of Alice Creed and Albatross. Sturges was names a producer to watch by Variety.
Amy Neil is an award-winning director. She has worked on shows for BBC, Channel 4 and Sky, including The Cut, horror series Bedlam and most recently Call the Midwife.
#Fearless session with @adriansturges Pete Travis #creativepartnerships @Film_London @Directors_UK pic.twitter.com/dYjjX7W8Uu
— Nahrein Kemp (@NahreinKemp) September 25, 2017
Adrian: I was approached with just the first script in January, and we didn't rush until we had the right cast. #creativepartnerships
— Directors UK (@Directors_UK) September 25, 2017
Pete: When I saw the script I loved it, it seemed like a modern version of Edge of Darkness. #creativepartnerships
— Directors UK (@Directors_UK) September 25, 2017
Pete: Our relationship was crucial in addressing issues with schedule, casting and more. The essence of it is trust. #creativepartnerships
— Directors UK (@Directors_UK) September 25, 2017
Producer @adriansturges talks about making Fearless on location w/ director Pete Travis @Film_London @Directors_UK #creativepartnerships pic.twitter.com/WhVlAqWkCc
— Helena Mackenzie (@Helenamackenzie) September 25, 2017
Fabulous, we all now want to work with Helen McCrory!
— Simon Warne (@writeinbath) September 25, 2017
Pete: I think in the last ten years people have become more wary of directors dealing with their material. #creativepartnerships
— Directors UK (@Directors_UK) September 25, 2017
Adrian: Helen (McCrory) had to travel to America quite often so we had to build that into the schedule #creativepartnerships
— Directors UK (@Directors_UK) September 25, 2017
Pete: When you're as ambitious as we were when making this, it really is all about teamwork. #creativepartnerships
— Directors UK (@Directors_UK) September 25, 2017
Pete: I had a lot of time with Helen before shooting to go through the script and work on the character. #creativepartnerships
— Directors UK (@Directors_UK) September 25, 2017
Adrian: We wanted to shoot in America but had to replicate it in Britain. We cast plenty of real American actors. #creativepartnerships
— Directors UK (@Directors_UK) September 25, 2017
Adrian: There was even a house in Essex built to specifically look like an American home - we made use of that too. #creativepartnerships
— Directors UK (@Directors_UK) September 25, 2017
Amy asks if the main character was always female. #creativepartnerships
— Directors UK (@Directors_UK) September 25, 2017
Adrian: Yes she was, and that was an important part of her arc #creativepartnerships
— Directors UK (@Directors_UK) September 25, 2017
Pete: Also Helen really took it in another direction, she made the character hers. #creativepartnerships
— Directors UK (@Directors_UK) September 25, 2017
Pete: I've done a lot of stunts, but this actually had to feel real and have a shock value. #creativepartnerships
— Directors UK (@Directors_UK) September 25, 2017
Pete: The crew have to be really sharp - things will change as we shoot. #creativepartnerships
— Directors UK (@Directors_UK) September 25, 2017
Pete: Normally I wouldn't want a writer near my editing suite but Patrick (Harbinson) came to us in post. #creativepartnerships
— Directors UK (@Directors_UK) September 25, 2017
Pete: It was probably the most collaborative edit I've ever had - it was really exciting. #creativepartnerships
— Directors UK (@Directors_UK) September 25, 2017
And that's a wrap on our panel! Many thanks to speakers @adriansturges and Pete Travis, and our moderator Amy Neil #creativepartnerships
— Directors UK (@Directors_UK) September 25, 2017
Next up was a conversation with the legendary producer Charlie Hanson.
The legend that is Charlie Hanson! @Film_London @Directors_UK #creativepartnerships pic.twitter.com/J1eQiQgHfc
— Nahrein Kemp (@NahreinKemp) September 25, 2017
Next up is @charlietantrum in conversation with Audrey Cooke! #creativepartnerships
— Directors UK (@Directors_UK) September 25, 2017
Charlie Hanson is a producer and director, well-known for British comedy classics such as Desmond's, The Harry Hill Show, Garth Marenghi's Darkplace and Extras. His feature film work led him to produce Cemetery Junction with Ricky Gervais and A Way of Life and Where Hands Touch with Amma Asante.
Audrey Cooke is a director with many credits on some of the most well-known programmes in British television, including EastEnders, Coronation Street, Death in Paradise, The Bill and Holby City.
Charlie: I think it's still tricky these days to move between comedy and drama, you do unfortunately get pigeonholed. #creativepartnerships
— Directors UK (@Directors_UK) September 25, 2017
@charlietantrum - you rock https://t.co/AtYcsCGARy
— Delyth Thomas (@delyththomas) September 25, 2017
Charlie: With both Amma Asante and Ricky Gervais, I came to producing for film because of the writing talent. #creativepartnerships
— Directors UK (@Directors_UK) September 25, 2017
Legendary producer Charlie Hanson discusses his impressive career @Film_London @Directors_UK #creativepartnerships day pic.twitter.com/6Fuf4qHtEe
— Helena Mackenzie (@Helenamackenzie) September 25, 2017
Charlie: I've worked with a lot writer/performer/directors. #creativepartnerships
— Directors UK (@Directors_UK) September 25, 2017
Charlie Hanson speaking about working with @AmmaAsante @rickygervais @RichardAyoade @Film_London @Directors_UK #creativepartnerships
— Nahrein Kemp (@NahreinKemp) September 25, 2017
Charlie: It means that when Ricky Gervais is on camera, for example, I can function as kind of a second director. #creativepartnerships
— Directors UK (@Directors_UK) September 25, 2017
Charlie: Broadcasters are still a little bit blinkered in terms of where they look for their talent. #creativepartnerships
— Directors UK (@Directors_UK) September 25, 2017
Charlie: Netflix has definitely changed how development works, people are thinking globally now. #creativepartnerships
— Directors UK (@Directors_UK) September 25, 2017
Charlie: I would say the days of in-house departments are probably numbered. #creativepartnerships
— Directors UK (@Directors_UK) September 25, 2017
Charlie: I think a writer sometimes needs a producer to travel with before becoming in demand. #creativepartnerships
— Directors UK (@Directors_UK) September 25, 2017
Audrey asks what Charlie's dream job would be. #creativepartnerships
— Directors UK (@Directors_UK) September 25, 2017
Charlie: Makng a film with @AmmaAsante where money is no object. #creativepartnerships
— Directors UK (@Directors_UK) September 25, 2017
Charlie: I tend to go for the script - I won't go for a genre just because it's popular at the moment. #creativepartnerships
— Directors UK (@Directors_UK) September 25, 2017
Charlie: Writers don't have to come through theatre - you can get noticed by writing for TV & entering competitions. #creativepartnerships
— Directors UK (@Directors_UK) September 25, 2017
Charlie: There's no one way in, if you can find a way in - grab it! #creativepartnerships
— Directors UK (@Directors_UK) September 25, 2017
Charlie: Dramas are being cast diversely, but there hasn't really been development of diverse voices. #creativepartnerships
— Directors UK (@Directors_UK) September 25, 2017
Charlie: I think BAME writers have not been given the same encouragement actors have. #creativepartnerships
— Directors UK (@Directors_UK) September 25, 2017
Charlie: I ask department heads for diverse crew. I saw in Belgium there were many more women on set than in England. #creativepartnerships
— Directors UK (@Directors_UK) September 25, 2017
Thanks @charlietantrum for progressive leadership on diversity https://t.co/4YsojcYpOv
— Lotus Hannon (@LotusHannon) September 25, 2017
And that's a wrap! Many thanks to Charlie Hanson for a wonderful talk. #creativepartnerships
— Directors UK (@Directors_UK) September 25, 2017
And massive thank you to Audrey Cooke for moderating! #creativepartnerships
— Directors UK (@Directors_UK) September 25, 2017
And here are just a few photos from the event.
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