Alumni

CALLING ALL FORMER STUDENTS:

CLUB NIGHTS

These are usually held on Wednesdays at 7.30.  Please email to check

When we started our courses years ago, the internet was only just starting and only a handful of us had emails.  Sadly, this has meant that we've lost touch with many former students who didn't have emails at that time.  We've also lost touch with many others who have changed their addresses,  so if you'd like to receive our newsletters and keep in touch, please email me at franz@brightonfilmschool.org.uk to let me have your current contact details.  I will also reply with your student number, which you should quote if you need any future discounts on our services. 

This is YOUR page.  We will also be delighted to hear from former students who have "made it" so that you can say a little about what you're doing now and we can put a link here to your website.  This will enable you all to network with each other.  Just email me at franz@brightonfilmschool.org.uk and I will paste it here.  Numbers in brackets are group/student numbers, eg 3407 would be student no 7 in group 34.

Maxine Flitman (1325) heads Royal Knight Films producing features. Max's speciality skill is in packaging, and is a real expert in film finance, so if you've got that hot script and want to move it along, Max is the one to do it for you!

Rachel Millward (1717) went off to found Birds' Eye View, a group created to encourage women directors.

Melissa Clive (2008) has become a top TV Producer, starting with Carlton TV shortly after completing the course and producing "Vinnie".

Avinash Gowariker (2310) is now DPing back in Mumbai  www.avinashgowariker.com, and is also our representative in India. whilst Lord Grade's grandson Dan Grade (2304) is playing with cameras down under.

Morgan White's (2519) work as a fashion photographer has always been superb, and after cross-training onto film with us, is now a successful director of photography with HD.  Morgan is regularly in demand when we hire our studio and lights.

Charles Webb (2720) who wrote The Graduate (before he came on the course...) joined us because he wanted to learn how to direct.

And whilst I was with Roman Polanski and Andrzej Wajda in Warsaw at the recent European Academy Awards, who should be in the same room but alumnus producer Rob Cannon (2816)...  All together with Wim Wenders, Pedro Almodóvar and Penelope Cruz.  What a night!

Zoë Ball (3301) is now producing, and has completed a great short starring Richard E Grant

Sarah Brand (3310)  has written the following to us:  I thought it was maybe about time I told you what I have been up to in the past four years since finishing Film School.  At present I am just finishing up on the new Bond Film Quantum of Solace. I have been one of the Assistant Directors (a runner really) on the 2nd Unit and managed to wrangle going on location with them to Italy as well. Its been fantastic!  I also worked a few months on Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince, again on the 2nd Unit, as the Base Runner. (the Base Runner looks after all the actors, gets them through costume, make up etc, as well as doing various office things and being the support for the 2nd Assistant Director).  Before that I was working on Batman, The Dark Knight, again as the Base Runner. This was brilliant fun and working with US crew was a nice change.  Before this I was on National Treasure 2. I was on the 2nd Unit which was the Stunt Unit and covered most of the car chase which, so I hear, was the biggest car chase to be done in Europe. It was a massive unit!  Before and in between National Treasure I was on a film called RocknRolla, which is a Guy Ritchie film due to be released this October.  And before this I was the Base Runner on St Trinians.  I was also the 3rd Assistant Director on the 2nd Unit of 1408 (but i think i got a 2nd Assistant Director credit).  These are just a few of the things i have been doing in the three and a half years i have been in London and hopefully my next move is to be a 3rd Assistant Director, so watch this space and i shall keep you posted.  Hope all is well with film school.  Take Care

Leon Trigg (3121) says "I am now running a production company - Number 9 Productions (www.number9productions.co.uk). We produce commercial film and video for broadcast, business and non-profit organisations. I'm currently making a documentary for HRH Prince Charles to present to politicians and policy makers in order to reduce the cycle of re-offending amongst young people."

Many congratulations go to Kirk Weddell (3506) for his many international awards for "Dutch Bird", which was screened at Pinewood at Newcomers' Night in the presence of many BSC members, including Alex Thomson and Billy Williams.

Emma Lightfoot (3818) is now script editor on Stephen Fry's Kingdom.

Dan Parkes (4712) is one of our latest successful directors, with a great documentary 'Peerless', about the Brighton West Pier, now selling well!  His short ATM is going around the festivals, and he's just finished another short called ARP - a drama about an Air Raid Warden in a wartime situation.  Visit his website for downloads.  Dan now has his own production company based in Brighton Marina.

Another prominent student was Alex Pettyfer (5520), star of "Alex Rider: Stormbreaker".  Although still young, Alex showed the wisdom of wanting to learn more about behind the camera.  Just a warning to directors and DPs who may be working with him in the future - he's picked things up fast, so may start asking what lens and T stop you're using and why, etc... 

Only recently, I heard from one former student who is now directing "Hollyoaks".

 More to follow...