Read Time: 15 minutes (including videos)
On May 17th 2023, Under The Wing Productions held an all-inclusive networking event at Hamilton House in Bristol to celebrate our 3rd Birthday. With free drinks, free pizza, and free advice, we brought together a mixture of our existing clients, aspiring filmmakers, and various connections we’ve made over the past 3 years.
Under The Wing Stories
Lorne Kramer
Beginning with a buffet, the first hour of the event was dedicated to munching and mingling before Under The Wing’s founder and creative director, Lorne Kramer, began the event with an introductory speech on the first 3 years of Under The Wing’s journey.
“It makes me super proud to see (my team) grow and share all the things they learn on a day-to-day basis with each other.”
Lorne Kramer
To read the whole story visit our About Us page.
Hector Bell
Following Lorne’s speech, 2 members of our talented team, Hector and Toby, took to the stage to tell their story at Under The Wing.
Hector, an award winning filmmaker from Frome, detailed his past working for corporate production houses and his struggle rediscovering his creativity on his filmmaking journey.
“ He told me … ‘get out of the ladder of TV and all the ranks…figure out your voice as a filmmaker’… which was where Under the Wing came in.”
Hector Bell
To learn more about Hector visit: https://www.instagram.com/hectorbell/
Toby Trillo
Toby, one of our OG team members, explained his previous desire to develop his videography skills alongside his exceptional ear for sound design and acknowledged his gratitude for the creative freedom and learning opportunities allowed at Under The Wing.
“Working at a place like (Under The Wing) … where your creative ideas are heard… You learn so much from people if you give them the chance to change your ideas”
Toby Chai Fox Trillo
To learn more about Toby visit: https://www.instagram.com/ohmcollider/
The Panel
After a pizza break, we were joined by 4 inspiring panellists.
Vicky Lee
Head of Bristol City Centre BID
Vicky told us about her time working in events, climbing to the top of the BID ladder, shaking up expectations, and setting up the notorious Bristol Light Festival. Bristol City Centre BID focuses on levy paying businesses in Bristol to create ‘a better Bristol: one that’s more caring, more welcoming, safer, cleaner, wonderfully diverse, and better promoted.’
“ I’m not what you’d expect from the position that I do but I think that’s a good thing … and right now I feel like I’m in the right place in the right job giving the city what it needs. ”
Vicky Lee
Tom Hugh-Jones
Creative Director Plimsoll Productions
Tom shared the value of different perspectives and experiences. After a naughty streak to 20+ years at the BBC, Tom realised he wanted to take bigger steps in new directions, simply because one person saw his potential and wanted to take him into new environments to learn a new craft; the exact ethos Under The Wing would eventually undergo.
“ Don’t go up that ladder, climb up that tree, for everyone that’s on the ladder go and do something slightly different… I think that’s where you really flourish, is when you’re persuaded, encouraged, and nurtured to take that next step into that really scary thing. ”
Tom Hugh-Jones
Phoebe Sinclair
Managing Director at grittytalent.tv
Phoebe manages Gritty talent, an agency that focuses on uplifting and growing artists from underrepresented groups. This aligns with the UTW vision. She spoke about the frustrations of seeing talented individuals being repeatedly overlooked by larger organisations and decided to do something about it.
“ There’s so many little moments in your career where people give you their time and give you a bit of perspective beyond the task at hand … be generous with your time and ask for other people to be generous with their time too. People don’t mind sharing their wisdom and experience. ”
Pheobe Sinclair
Dominic Borel
Co-Owner/Director Bianchi’s Group
Dom’s story was perhaps the most unique take of ‘being taken under the wing’. After finding himself in a bad way on Bondi Beach, a man found him and helped turn his life around; eventually leading to the business-savvy Dom we know and love today. Dom helps run his family business ‘Bianchi’s Group’ a renowned chain of independent Italian restaurants in Bristol (who also generously provided the pizza at the event – they were lush!)
“ You have to have faith to jump in the deep end of the pool and you have to also have a little bit of faith in the people who have faith in you.”
Dominic Borel
The event ran smoothly, with good reviews all round. We managed to finally meet some of the up-and-coming filmmaking talents that have reached out to us in the past, put faces to emails, and watch new connections grow amongst the guests. Moving forward we hope to create more opportunities for local creatives and independents to make solid connections and help each other grow; expanding the ever-growing talent pool in Bristol and beyond.
We count our 3rd birthday networking event as a great success and we couldn’t be prouder of how it turned out. Thank you to everyone who came and to all that have been involved in the growth and development of the company in the last 3 years – here’s to many more!
Author: Erin Capener
