His latest series, Secrets of the Penguins, is now delighting viewers on Disney+ following its debut on National Geographic Wild earlier this year. And a new series of Animals Up Close with Bertie Gregory is on the horizon.
What does the job involve?
Being in the right place at the right time to hang out with cool animals. You need help to do this – wildlife filmmaking is a real team sport.
Do you need specialist knowledge?
What does the job involve?
Making TV and film. We have a small team to originate and develop projects, then we build relationships and work with writers, talent, broadcasters and film financiers to get them made.
How many projects do you have on the go?
Around 30 or so at any one time, across comedy, drama and film. Development can be a thankless process, but if it’s an idea you believe in, sometimes you just keep going – The Phantom of the Open took 14 years to bring to the screen.
What does the job involve?
I oversee the daily logistics of a production, working with the line producer to manage the budget and schedule. My role involves hiring equipment, crew, catering and facilities, as well as sourcing production offices and coordinating across all departments. Essentially, I keep the day-to-day machine running.
When are you brought on board?
His prosthetic skills were also used to great effect in Gangs of London and the new season of The White Lotus.
What does the job involve?
Every job is different but essentially you are designing and making prosthetics – for people and creatures – to realise the director’s vision.
Is it a new role?
As its Chief Creative Officer and Global Director of Acquisitions, BBC Studios and UKTV, he is also responsible, alongside his commissioning remit, for acquiring shows for the broadcaster and BBC Studios’ global channels. Current hits commissioned by Watsham’s team include The Marlow Murder Club for U&Drama and Will & Ralf Should Know Better for U&Dave.
What do you do?
Tell us about producing Portrait (and Landscape) Artist of the Year over the past decade…
They are the most joyous shows I’ve been involved in. Artists tend to be really nice people, and we don’t show, as others do, the humiliation of a competitor packing their bags and leaving the programme, accompanied by sad music. There are scores of artists who [if not for the show]would still be amateur and are now professional – television often gets a bad rap, but we feel that to have achieved something like that is fantastic.
You launched Loop during Covid…
It may seem odd to start a talent management agency during a pandemic, but it turned out to be an ideal time. While not working, many heads of department were reassessing their careers and looking for a fresh approach to management. This created an opportunity for us to quickly connect with, and secure, a diverse range of talent.
Why did you start the agency?
What does the job involve?
Supporting everyone on a production – cast, crew and creative team members – who is deaf, disabled and/or neurodivergent. I assess access requirements and put measures in place so that disabled people can turn up to work and, from day one, be creatively brilliant without worrying, for example, how they’re going to get to the toilet on location if they’re a wheelchair user. I also support productions in putting adjustments in place and diversifying their team.
She hopes the indie’s debut – hit BBC One drama Boiling Point – is the first of many TV and film successes.
Why did you set up an indie together?
Phil and I were introduced in 2019. It was a coincidence that we are both from Liverpool and have similar backgrounds. Neither of us knew anyone in the industry – we fought our way in and built these careers for ourselves, and we both have very similar goals. So we decided to work together.
You were the lead medical advisor on Breathtaking. How did that come about?
I know Prasanna Puwanarajah, a former doctor, and had a little bit of input, along with a few other doctors, into the script he wrote with Dr Rachel Clarke and Jed Mercurio. The production felt they needed somebody on the ground as a medical advisor and I was available.
What did the job involve in pre-production?
