CREW
The talented crew and team behind the lens
CARA BAMFORD: WRITER & DIRECTOR
A first time film director and award-winning writer,
Cara is taking the creative leap after several years
working in production, including the BAFTA and
Emmy winning shows: The Amazing World of Gumball
(Cartoon Network) and Doc McStuffins (Disney).
With a background in acting, recently appearing in
feature film Mermaid Down, she has a Master’s degree
from the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, and
a passion for independent, character-driven storytelling.
As writer/director of Talia, she brings local talent and
communities together to tell the moving story of a
young girl and her father, and unusual friendships
that grow where you least expect them.
MATT GRAS: PRODUCER
Matt is a french actor and producer based in Bristol, U.K.
As a performer, Matt has been cast as the lead in more than 20 short film productions including RTS award-winning New With Tags, directed by Matthew Nesbeth.
After appearing on French television as the lead in popular soap Par Amour, and several feature films, Matt has branched out into production.
Talia is his first full producer credit, where he also led the production’s green initiative and mentoring scheme.
SARAH SMITHER: DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY
Sarah has over 20 years’ experience in the camera department in broadcast, online and independent film across a wide range of genres. Dedicated to get to the heart of storytelling she has recently wrapped on her third feature film as DOP. Her awards include 2 RTS Awards for Best Short and Best Cinematography in
the Global Trend Awards for the Dell Technologies TVC in the US.
Sarah brings a depth and sense of adventure to Talia, capturing the visuals of the story at its heart.
ROB SAUNDERS: SOUND ENGINEER
Rob is a location sound recordist and boom operator based who has worked on a wide range of feature films and television, including Belle, In Bruges, Downton Abbey and Broadchurch. He prides himself on providing top quality sound and has the expertise to provide this, no matter the setting, from the studio to more challenging working environments. A strong believer in having knowledge and skills beyond just one niche area, Rob’s location sound work is underpinned and complemented by a strong understanding of the post production process, having provided the track-lay and mix for a variety of productions.
CATARINA OLIVEIRA: EDITOR & HEAD OF POST
A creative editor and director in her own right, Catarina’s varied background includes nine years of professional editing experience in a wide range of settings and an excellent sense of timing and narrative structure. Having worked internationally and across a variety of genres on over a hundred projects, both independently and in collaboration with production companies and broadcasters, she has also been involved in various audio-visual projects dealing with international development issues, human rights and post-conflict reconciliation. Catarina’s love for crafting story and knowledge of post-production aesthetics shines through in Talia and her vast portfolio of other works.
MATT LOVERIDGE: SOUND MIX & SCORE
Previous to his career in post-production, Matt worked as a boom operator on feature films and TV dramas including Downton Abbey, I Give It A Year and Broken & Belle. Matt has mixed and signed-off programmes from Evolutions Bristol, Wounded Buffalo, The Farm, Films at 59 and Aardman Animations, and has his own private studio in Stokes Croft, Bristol. He also regularly engineers voiceover sessions for TV, including for Aardman Animations. A talented musician, Matt also scored the music for Talia, bringing in childlike, reflective qualities and capturing the magic of nature, in the mix.
MORE OF OUR AMAZING TEAM:
Bethany Fitter / Jack Hayter - 1st Assistant Camera
Dean Ayotte - Focus Puller
Bertil Mulvad – Gaffer
Dave Thacker - Boom Operator
Christelle Pellecuer - Hair and Make-up / Wardrobe
Shuna Griffin - Set Dresser
Valeria Weerasinghe - Character Designer
Elitsa N. Nedyalkova - Poster Designer
Peter Hewitt - Assembly Editor
Jack Offord - Colour Correcting and Grade
Kate Phillips - First Assistant Director / Continuity
Paddy Robinson-Griffin - Production Consultant
Shane Abbott - Assistant Production Manager
Kieran Freemantle - Production Assistant / Researcher
Livvie May - Casting Assistant
Eloise Scott - Set Photographer
Evans Oviawe – Chaperone
FURTHER TEAM & THANKS
And we couldn't have done it without:
Chris Bamford
Elena Marina
Aaron King
Wellspring
Beaufort Lane Allotments
And more to be added soon!
