30 January 2025
Open Letter to BAFTA: The Recognition of Production Management in TV and Film

Open Letter to BAFTA: The Recognition of Production Management in TV and Film

Dear BAFTA,

We are writing to respectfully urge you to reconsider your stance on recognising the invaluable contribution of Production Management teams within the television and film industries. These teams are the backbone of production, ensuring that creative visions come to life on time, on budget, and with precision. Yet, despite their critical role, Production Management teams remain unrecognised within BAFTA’s prestigious awards.

Many esteemed industry organisations have already taken steps to recognise these essential teams. The Royal Television Society, Women in Film and Television UK, and Wildscreen all have Production Management Team categories. Moving forward NATAS, and Jackson Wild are working to implement awards specifically for Production Management teams, acknowledging that without their expertise, no programming would make it to air.

BAFTA’s response to the proposal for a Production Management category was that there is currently “not a strong enough case for progressing the proposal further.” We respectfully disagree. Let us make the case clear:

Heads of Production, Production Executives, Production Managers, Production Coordinators, and PMAs handle every logistical aspect of a production. They schedule the entire project from greenlight to delivery, manage budgets, oversee contracting, secure permits, handle compliance and risk assessments, book travel and accommodation, ensure equipment and locations are ready, manage post-production deliverables, and complete essential paperwork long after the cameras stop rolling.

In short, without the Production Management team, there would be no production.

The work they do requires immense dedication, meticulous planning, and problem-solving skills that directly impact the success of any project. They are often the first in and the last out, ensuring that productions are safe, legal, and delivered to the highest standards. Yet, their efforts remain behind the scenes, unacknowledged by one of the industry's most prominent awarding bodies.

Recognising Production Management teams would not only be a well-deserved acknowledgment of their work but would also set a powerful precedent for valuing the unseen yet essential roles in our industry. It would highlight BAFTA’s commitment to inclusivity, fairness, and a holistic understanding of what it truly takes to create award-winning content.

We understand that BAFTA strives to evolve with the industry and reflect the contributions of all professionals who make exceptional content possible. Therefore, we respectfully ask that you take another look at this proposal. Let us work together to ensure that Production Management teams are given the recognition they have long deserved.

Thank you for your time and consideration. We look forward to the opportunity to further discuss how BAFTA can lead the way in recognising the full spectrum of talent within the industry.

Sincerely,

Lisa Walters

Head of Production

1,681
signatures
1,514 verified
  1. Lisa Walters, Head of Production, Humble Bee Films, BRISTOL
  2. Emily Assael, Head of Production, Five Mile Films, Bristol
  3. Niall Conroy, Senior Production Coordinator, Five Mile Films, Bristol
  4. Jen Tippett, producer, five mile films, Bristol
  5. Jasmine Mcgregor, Production Accountant, Five Mile Films, Bristol
  6. Jack Newton, Film Editor, Five Mile Films, Bristol
  7. Samantha Weeks, Junior Production Manager, BBC STUDIOS, Bristol
  8. Elly Salisbury, Deputy Director Of Production, Silverback Films Ltd, Bristol
  9. Dominic Weston, Series Producer, Humble Bee Films, Bristol
  10. Helen Drew, Junior Production Manager, Humble Bee Films, Bristol
  11. Violeta Lopez, Humble Bee Films, Bristol
  12. Ryan Derrick, Production Accountant, Freeborne Media, Tonbridge
  13. Amelia Mundy, Production Coordinator, Humble Bee Films, Bristol
  14. Claire Aston, Accountant, Netflix, Bristol
  15. Kate Westaway, Talent Manager, Wild Space, Bristol
  16. Ryan Patterson, Junior Editor, Freeborne Media, Bristol
  17. inka Cresswell, Assistant Producer, Freeborne Media, Bristol
  18. James Hemming, Producer, Wildstar Films, Bristol
  19. Sarah Garner, Finance Coordinator, Silverback Films, Bristol
  20. Jane Hamlin, Director of Production, Silverback Films, Bristol
...
1,474 more
verified signatures
  1. Layla Blackman, Post Producer, Freelance, London
  2. Stephen Flynn, Production Manager, Freelance, Manchester
  3. Dave Freeman, Concept Artist, Freelance, BRADFORD-ON-AVON
  4. Dave Skinner, Director, Brighton
  5. John Manning, Executive Producer, AO.com, London
  6. Kathryn Hookham, Production Coordinator, Brinkworth Productions Ltd, London
  7. Caroline Cox, Production Executive, BBC Studios, Bristol
  8. René Taylor, Post Production Supervisor, Fiddy Films, London
  9. HOLLY THERESA RYAN, Company Director, IN CROWD AGENCY, Brighton
  10. Wendhy Sierra, Line Producer, BBC Studios, Bristol
  11. Nicholas Franklin, Head of Production, Rogan Productions, London
  12. Mahi, Series Producer, The Garden Productions, London
  13. Lindy Taylor, Post Production Supervisor, Feeelance, London
  14. James Fairley, Junior Production Manager, Multistory Media (Part of ITV Studios), London
  15. Kim Nguyen, Curriculum Manager, Pathway: Production Management, BFBS, Buckinghamshire
  16. Imogen Stringer, Production Executive, Box to Box Films, London
  17. Silver Keogh, Writer, Silver Keogh, Seattle
  18. Immie Webb, Office Assistant, Mindhouse Productions LTD, London
  19. Oscar Dewhurst, Assistant Producer, Wildstar Films, Bristol
  20. Michael Hutchinson, Cameraman, Freelance, Bristol