Laura Aviles has been appointed Senior Film Manager by Bristol City Council, responsible for the management of The Bottle Yard Studios and Bristol Film Office.

Aviles will oversee delivery of Bristol City Council’s filming strategy, promoting Bristol as a filming location and and delivering an offer that encompasses studio filming at The Bottle Yard and Bristol Film Office’s support for productions on location.

Laura Aviles began her career at ITV working in film and television production and operations management, before moving to Tigress Productions and then BBC Bristol, where as Production Manager she delivered TV content for a range of major commissioners and channels. In 2011 she joined BBC Earth Productions, a subsidiary of BBC Worldwide, as Senior Production Manager before becoming Head of Production in 2015, overseeing all operational, financial, talent, production and post production management aspects of the business, including traditional platforms of TV, feature film, giant screen and digital as well as emerging technologies such as VR, AR and live events. Whilst in this role she delivered the first film produced under the new UK/China co-production treaty, the 90’ feature film Earth: One Amazing Day for global theatrical release, working with Shanghai Media Group. In 2018 she moved to Bristol-based Mustang Films where as Head of Production, her credits included the China’s Greatest Treasures series presented by art critic Alistair Sooke, a co-production commission with China’s primary state broadcaster, CCTV.

More recently she has provided freelance production consultancy to new independent production companies.

Laura Aviles, Senior Film Manager says: “Having built my production career in Bristol producing content for many different commissioners and channels, I’ve worked with and witnessed the skills and professionalism of Bristol crew and facilities companies first-hand. I’ve watched the city’s reputation for filming rise, due in no small part to the hard work of the small teams at The Bottle Yard Studios and Bristol Film Office. I’m delighted to take on this new role and work with Natalie and Janine to bring the Film Office and Studios closer together. With production gearing up across the UK, my focus is firmly on ensuring that as a unified film team we can continue to build on past successes, to benefit Bristol’s crews, supply chains and partner businesses.”

Cllr Craig Cheney, Deputy Mayor for Finance, Governance, Performance and Culture, said: “I welcome Laura to the team and look forward to working with her to build on the successes of The Bottle Yard Studios. The film and TV sector is one of Bristol’s fastest growing business areas and the studios play a vital role in this growth. As we drive the economic recovery of the city both the studio and the industry will be crucial to securing jobs and investment in Bristol.”

The Royal Television Society of the West of England last week named The Bottle Yard Studios as the 2020 recipient of its prestigious Sir Ambrose Fleming Memorial Award, which recognises exceptional contribution to television in the West of England region.

The Bottle Yard Studios reopened for production in mid-June. CBeebies’ Andy’s Aquatic Adventuresand ITV gameshow Tipping Point were the first shows to resume production on site. Earlier this month the Studios’ first Netflix booking was confirmed; 10-part children’s sci-fi series The Last Bus produced by Bristol company Wildseed Studios will move into production in the Autumn. Also in line to film at the Studios is Emily Mortimer’s BBC One adaptation of Nancy Mitford’s celebrated novel The Pursuit Of Love starring Lily James, Dominic West, Emily Beecham and Andrew Scott, which has begun filming in the Bristol and Bath area.

 

Jon Creamer

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