Sally Leroy - Twickenham Film Studios

Thirteen Lives trailer comes out

Posted on 07.07.202207.07.2022 by Sally Leroy

release announced

Directed by Ron Howard, Thirteen Lives is inspired by true events which took place in 2018. The story follows the rescue mission of a group of young boys and their football coach in Thailand, when they get trapped in an underground system of caves that are flooding.

The cast features Viggo Mortensen as Richard Stanton, Colin Farrell as John Volanthen, Joel Edgerton as Richard Harris, an anaesthetist, and Sukollawat Kanarot as Saman Kunan.

Thirteen Lives is being released in selected theatres on 29 July and on Prime Video on 5 August.

Work carried out from tfs

The feature is a project led by Oliver Tarney’s sound crew, based at Twickenham Film Studios, with Sound Supervisors Oliver Tarney and Rachael Tate.

The FX mix was carried out in Theatre 1 and the Nearfield Mix was carried out in Theatre 4, with Will Miller as Mixer and Dan Turner as Mix Tech.

Foley was recorded in Theatre 3 with Adam Méndez as Foley Mixer and Oli Ferris and Sue Harding as Foley Artists.

Watch THIRTEEN LIVES Trailer

My Policeman trailer released

Posted on 23.06.202229.06.2022 by Sally Leroy

My Policeman, directed by Michael Grandage, is due to be released in selected theatres on 21 October and on Prime Video on 4 November.

My Policeman, starring Harry Styles

Starring Emma Corrin as Marion, David Dawson as Patrick Hazelwood, and Harry Styles as Tom Burgess, the story explores forbidden love and changing social conventions.

The film tells the tale of three young people – policeman Tom, teacher Marion and museum curator Patrick – as they embark on an emotional journey in 1950s Britain.

Flashing forward to the 1990s, the characters look back on regret, with one last chance to repair the damage of the past.

Based on the book by Bethan Roberts, My Policeman takes you on a visually transporting and heart-stopping journey of history, freedom and forgiveness.

Twickenham Film Studios, home to the production

The team used TFS as their headquarters for their production offices, art department, costume and props. TFS’s Supervising Sound Editor Dan Morgan was the Dialogue Editor on this feature release as well as Co-Supervising Sound Editor along with Ian Wilson.

Watch the trailer below!

Top Gun Maverick makes its Cannes Festival debut

Posted on 19.05.202220.05.2022 by Sally Leroy

Top Gun Maverick release date

Paramount Pictures has originally scheduled to release the film in July 2019. However, the date was moved several times to allow the re-filming of some flight sequences, but also due to the COVID-19 pandemic and tight schedules.

The film had its world premiere at CinemaCon on 28 April 2022 and a screening at the Cannes Film Festival on May 18 in an Official Selection Screening. It was one of the most awaited events of the festival with a star-studded premiere of the film. The Patrouille de France flew over the festival as the crew and actors were on the red carpet, and Tom Cruise received an Honorary Palme d’Or ahead of the screening.

Today is also the 72nd Royal Film Performance™ and UK premiere of Top Gun: Maverick in the UK. Every Royal Film Performance™ raises money for the Film and TV Charity, going towards supporting those behind-the-scenes.

Top Gun: Maverick is scheduled to be released in the UK on 25 May 2022.

Top Gun Maverick Story

After 30 years of service as one of the Navy’s top aviators, Pete Mitchell is where he belongs – pioneering as a brave test pilot and dodging the advancement in rank that would ground him.

He finds himself training a detachment of Top Gun graduates for a special mission and encounters Lt. Bradley Bradshaw (Miles Teller), the son of Maverick’s late friend.

Facing an uncertain future and confronting ghosts of the past, Maverick is drawn into a confrontation with his deepest fears, culminating in a mission that demands the ultimate sacrifice from those who will be chosen to fly it.

all-star cast

Jennifer Connelly and Tom Cruise. Photo by Scott Garfield/Scott Garfield - © 2022 Paramount Pictures Corporation. All rights reserved.

Miles Teller. Photo by Scott Garfield/Scott Garfield - © 2022 Paramount Pictures Corporation. All rights reserved.

Jay Ellis. Photo by Scott Garfield/Scott Garfield - © 2022 Paramount Pictures Corporation. All rights reserved.

Tom Cruise. Photo by Scott Garfield/Scott Garfield - © 2022 Paramount Pictures Corporation. All rights reserved.

The film features an all-star cast, including Tom Cruise as Captain Pete “Maverick” Mitchell, test pilot and flight instructor, Jennifer Connelly as Penelope “Penny” Benjamin, Maverick’s new love interest and Miles Teller as Lieutenant Bradley “Rooster” Bradshaw, a pilot in the mission training group.

HOLD MY HAND, top gun music

Lady Gaga released ‘Hold My Hand’, set to feature on the upcoming Tom Cruise film, due out in cinemas on 27 May.

top gun Maverick Sound mix at tfs

The final Sound Mix for Top Gun: Maverick was carried out in TFS Theatre 1 by Chris Burdon and Mark Taylor with Harry Jones, Will Miller and Tom Melling as Mix Techs.

Led by Oscar-nominated Sound Supervisor, James Mather, the Soundbyte Studios Editorial team used their base at the TFS creative campus to create a dynamic and epic Mix for this long-awaited summer blockbuster.

TFS Talent update

Posted on 06.05.202206.05.2022 by Sally Leroy

TFS is proud of its world-class Talent that creates our creative campus for Filmmakers. This week, we announce the promotion of three of our team members.

Dan Turner from Mix Technician to Senior Mix Technician

Dan Turner first joined TFS in 2018 as a Junior Engineer, after graduating from Southampton Solent University and completing the Dolby Internship Scheme. He joined the Sound department in March 2020 as a Sound Mix Technician. Recently, he has worked on titles such as Army of Thieves, The Hitman’s Wife’s Bodyguard, Operation Mincemeat and Edgar Wright’s ‘Last Night In Soho’.

“The TFS Sound department is a team i’m hugely proud to be a part of. We have an exciting team of talent, world class facilities and we are grateful for the incredible clients and projects we work with. This change in role will use my experience to support our sound department, with our constant aim of pushing our technology offering forward and creating a bespoke experience for each client”

Rob Davidson from Mix Technician to Foley Editor & Recordist

Rob joined the Sound department in 2019 after graduating from Liverpool Institute of Performing Arts. Shortly after joining he began as a Mix Technician, working on titles such as Ridley Scott’s House of Gucci, Edgar Wright’s Last Night in Soho and Kenneth Branagh’s Death on the Nile.

“Over the past three years as a Mix Technician, I’ve been lucky to have worked on a number of great projects with incredibly talented people. I’m excited to now be joining the excellent Foley team, where I’ll get to contribute to an earlier part of the Audio Post process in a creative role.”

Manav Kher from Junior Mix Technician to Mix Technician

Manav joined TFS as a Sound Runner in 2020. He quickly became a crucial part of the team and received a promotion a year later to Junior Sound Mix Technician. Recently Manav has worked on The Outfit (2022) and Ten Percent (2022).

‘The promotion to Mix Technician is an exciting and new challenge within the Sound department. It’s an opportunity to not only further my technical ability but to get the chance to work on the high profile projects that TFS has to offer.’

TFS’s Mix Tech team is now formed of Dan Turner, Harry Jones, Filipe Pereira and Manav Kher, while the Foley team is made up of Adam Mendez, Oli Ferris, Rob Davidson.

The Media Production and Technology Show 2022 welcomes TFS to its exciting panels

Posted on 05.05.202205.05.2022 by Sally Leroy

The Media Production and Technology Show has established itself as a must-attend event for media and broadcast industries since its launch in 2016. Focused at first on the creativity of content production, the event now also explores the technological side of the industry.

The Media Production and Technology Show to welcome over 7,000 visitors

Part of MPTS since 2019, the show is holding its first in-person event since then with more than 7,000 attendees expected to join. This year, the programme is made up of interactive exhibitions and seminars covering broadcast content creation and technology, from pre-production and production to virtual production, post and distribution.

MPTS is organised by Media Business Insight (MBI) Ltd, publishers of Broadcast, Broadcast Sport, Broadcast Tech, KFTV, The Knowledge, and Screen International.

TFS invited to join two exciting panels

Head of Technology and Engineering Tom Witkowski will join an exciting panel, featuring Muki Kulhan and Will Case from Creative Technology. They’ll discuss ‘TheVirtual New #Hollywood: Welcome the Golden Age of Production”. MD Cara Sheppard will speak at two panels, “The Evolution of Studios – what does a modern Film and TV Studio need to be?” and “Celebrating Women in Media”, alongside female industry leaders in a variety of media roles, including Kate Bellingham and Jennifer Mihalovic from Sky.

BFE Cut Above Awards 2022 winners announced at TFS

Posted on 05.05.2022 by Sally Leroy

Following an exciting nomination event in March, Twickenham Film Studios welcomed British Film Editors (BFE) on The Terrace last week, for a red carpet event celebrating the 2022 Cut Above Awards. The annual ceremony are the only awards to exclusively recognise excellence in film editing in the UK. This year’s edition was live-streamed from TFS.

British Film Editors is a non-profit association of film and TV editors and assistant editors in the UK, with the time to celebrate the art and science of film editing, in all its forms. BFE champions the work of their established members and nurtures new talent, alongside bringing together industry professionals to share their experiences and practices. The association largely contributes to the development of inclusivity and diversity in the industry.

This year, Twickenham Film Studios have sponsored the Best Edited Series: Documentary or Non-Fiction, in which was nominated The Beatles: Get Back documentary series. Edited by Jabez Olssen, the episodic won the award.

Eight editors received more than one nomination, with productions nominated in two categories. Named in memory of BFE members who sadly passed away in 2020, two categories were peer-nominated by editors and assistants, and decided by a jury.

For a full list of winners, head to BFE’s website or watch the full live streamed event on YouTube, as it took place online this year.

TFS welcomes Celluloid Junkie Cinema Summit on its creative campus

Posted on 28.04.202228.04.2022 by Sally Leroy

Twickenham Film Studios is proud to have partnered with Celluloid Junkie to bring you a live and interactive webinar on Thursday 5 May.

Celluloid Junkie is the leading online resource focussed on the global film and cinema business. They provide the growing international community of film and cinema professionals with the latest news, insights, interviews and research on the motion picture industry.

CJ has been reconnecting the global motion picture community during the COVID-19 outbreak with the launch of Celluloid Junkie Cinema Summit – a series of live interactive webinars. Industry experts from around the world share how they tackle the crisis and recover from the pandemic, online and now face-to-face.

The next CJ webinar will take place on Thursday 5 May 5 2022, at 5.00pm BST, and will be live from multi award-winning creative campus Twickenham Film Studios. Thanks to being a true Home For Filmmakers, TFS has been the London home to many famous films and TV shows.

CJ talks to Cara Sheppard, Cherri Arpino, Craig Irving and Tomasz Witkowski on how cinematic sound is created, how popular Dolby Atmos has become and how they kept the James Bond secret for over two years.

Patrick Von Sychowski and Sperling Reich will give a global overview before interviews and panels with key Talent from Twickenham Film Studios take place. The live webinar will be followed by an IRL drinks reception.

Ten Percent, British remake of ‘Call My Agent’ release date announced

Posted on 12.04.202213.04.2022 by Sally Leroy

Written by BAFTA-award winner John Morton, “Ten Percent” is coming out on Amazon’s Prime Video on 28 April for a series of eight exclusive episodes.

TFS carried out an entire script-to-screen scenario on the series, from providing show stages and dailies, to carrying out sound editorial, foley, mixing and delivery.

Just like its French counterpart “Dix Pour Cent”, the show follows a group of agents at a fictional British talent agency – Nightingale Hart – and highlights the U.K. industry’s fierce competition with American companies.

The show features an all-star cast, with big names including Jack Davenport, Lydia Leonard, Maggie Steed, Prasanna Puwanarajah, Hiftu Quasem, Fola Evans-Akingbola, Rebecca Humphries, Harry Trevaldwyn, Tim McInnerny, Natasha Little, Edward Bluemel, Eleonore Arnaud and Jim Broadbent.

A list of cameos are also to be expected, with Helena Bonham Carter, Olivia Williams, David Oyelowo, Dominic West and Clemence Poesy among others.

Watch the trailer for Ten Percent on YouTube and don’t forget to set a reminder for 28 April!

The Earl of Wessex becomes new Patron of the Production Guild of Great Britain⁠

Posted on 22.03.202228.03.2022 by Sally Leroy

prince edward earl of wessex, the first Royal Patron for pggb

The Earl of Wessex has become the new Patron of the Production Guild of Great Britain⁠, the UK’s leading membership organisation for professionals working in film and television drama production.

To mark the new patronage, His Royal Highness today visited Twickenham Film Studios in West London, the UK’s oldest film studio. His Royal Highness met production crew at the studios to hear about their experiences of working in the industry, and the support provided by the PGGB, as he takes up his new role as Patron. The Earl also joined Oscar winner Tim Cavagin, who won for sound editing Bohemian Rhapsody, at the studio’s mixing desk to learn more about the craft and importance of sound editing in film and TV production.

A Royal Visit for the earl of wessex

His Royal Highness is the first Royal Patron in the history of PGGB, which represents skilled professionals working behind the camera within the production office, accounting, locations, assistant directing, post-production and VFX. As well as providing industry advice, employment opportunities and training to UK crew, PGGB also works closely with national agency the British Film Commission to increase access to a diverse and experienced workforce. On becoming Patron, HRH The Earl of Wessex said: “The Production Guild of Great Britain provides incredibly valuable support to the UK’s production industry and crews, especially those in the less glamorous and visible roles. If we want more young people to consider a career in production, then we ought to be shining a brighter light on where the opportunities lie. I look forward to working with the Guild and trying to help them in their efforts to broaden access and inclusion within the UK production workforce.”

Twickenham Studios honoured to welcome hrH

Cara Sheppard, Managing Director of Twickenham Film Studios, said: “We were honoured to welcome The Earl of Wessex, a long-time supporter of our industry, to Twickenham Film Studios today. We were delighted to give His Royal Highness a tour of all of our filming stages and our BAFTA and Oscar-winning Sound and Picture department, and to introduce The Earl to some of our clients and in-house creative talent. It is hugely encouraging to feel the genuine support for increasing diversity and inclusion within our industry and attracting and training the next generation of filmmakers.”

The Earl of Wessex takes a keen interest in the arts and is Patron of a range of organisations that aim to widen opportunities within the sector, including the National Youth Theatre of Great Britain, Northern Ballet and The Orpheus Centre Trust.

His Royal Highness formerly worked in theatre and television production, before becoming a full-time working member of the Royal Family in 2002.

TFS celebrates International Women’s Day

Posted on 08.03.202225.03.2022 by Sally Leroy

International Women’s Day (IWD) is an annual international holiday celebrated on 8 March to commemorate the cultural, political and socioeconomic achievements of women around the globe. It also brings attention to women’s rights, including issues such as gender equality, reproductive rights, violence, and abuse against women.

On this day, we meet with Head of Production Cherri Arpino and Studio Coordinator Ruby Hornsey – view their interview on TFS’s Instagram. They give us their top tips on why they entered the film industry, how they look after themselves in a fast-paced environment and what are their favourite films.

If you wish to know more about jobs in the film industry and read Twickenham Film Studios’ Diversity and Inclusion policy, visit our careers page.

Could you introduce yourself?

Cherri >> My name is Cherri Arpino and I am the Head of Production at TFS.

Ruby >> My name is Ruby Hornsey and I am a Studio Coordinator at TFS. I sort out bookings and Client services at the Studio.

Why did you get into film and how did you enter the industry?

Cherri >> I was very young when I decided I wanted to get into the film industry. I was excited, I loved movies, I started watching movies from a very young – as we all did. I just decided I wanted to be a part of that life, I thought it was exciting, I wanted to be involved in the film making process. I decided I wanted to become the best film Director in the world. Instead, what ended up happening was I found my way into Post Production and I’ve stuck at it ever since and I’ve loved it.

Ruby >> I got into media in year nine, I picked it because it looked like fun and a less serious course than other subjects. Since then, I studied it at college and university which was fun. I like to perform as well, so studying media allowed me to perform as much as I could and again, it was creative and less scholar.

Ruby, how did you join TFS? Was there something that really surprised you about the famous film studios?

Ruby >> After finishing university, I was looking for work and did a few jobs here and there. I joined TFS as a part time Pool Runner, doing other jobs on the side. I started to do more and more at the Studio, I came full time and got my position as Studio Coordinator during lockdown. I have been learning since last summer and I am absolutely loving it.

What really amazed me at TFS is just how everyone gets along. I know it sounds really cringe, but everyone is so close here. And I guess I get to meet so many people in the TV and film industry which is very different from any other jobs that I’ve done. I get to meet everyone from every production. I’m the first and last person people talk to so I get to be – from beginning to end – part of the whole process.

Today is International Women’s Day. So, if you had a top tip to give to other women that wanted to get into the film industry, what would it be?

Ruby >> The industry is actually not as divided ‘men and women’ as I think people make it out to be. So, my top tip as a woman is to not come in scared that you’re going to be the only girl and that you’re going to be overshadowed by men, because that’s not how it is anymore.

I have not personally experienced that myself at the age that I am in this industry. Just go in with confidence – it’s because of my personality that I got the job that I got, so just go in and be you! And always have snacks…

Cherri >> It is something that I say over and over again and that I’ve also learnt on my journey to get into the film industry: be respectful but also make sure you receive respect.

As long as you keep those two things, you must be respectful of all times and that’s going to equip people to understand when people are taking advantage of them. It’s going to put you in a situation that’s going to set you above a lot of people and it’s going to make sure that you have a clear view on what you’re doing, that you can be fair, that you can make sure that people around you are looked after. And that is a big thing – you keep your integrity and you make sure you’re respectful.

Cherri >> So many women are told when we first start out that you have to be a shark to succeed in this industry. I was told that a few times when I first started out. And it was really confusing to me because I didn’t quite understand what they meant – did that mean be horrible to people; did that mean be stand off-ish? It was a lot of pressure on me as they specifically told me that for being a woman.

It took me a few years to realise that it’s actually not the case. Just stay true to yourself, work really hard and people around you will understand that. Nobody needs to be a shark; nobody needs to be a nasty person just to survive in this industry. This is a creative industry; it’s a fun industry; it’s collaborative and it’s full of amazing people.

In terms of the physical side of getting into Production, it’s just about staying on it and building those relationships. That’s my biggest piece of advice.

Whatever job you go into, make those relationships because the film and TV industry is actually a very small world. Who you work with on the first film could very well be who you work with on the fifth and sixth and seventh. So, it’s about being humble, hardworking, and building those relationships.

If you had to pick one female working in the film industry?

Ruby >> I would probably have to pick Julie Walters. I mean, what an amazing person. She’s done everything plus she’s done so many news courses… and she looks great in her boilersuit in Billy Elliot – I love my boilersuits! She just seems like so much fun to work with and I would love to work with her. Julie Walters, I love you!

Cherri >> I’m a big fan of the Soska twins – Jen and Sylvia. They are sisters from Canada and horror Directors. There’s a film called American Mary which is amazing. It’s a great story, very stylised, different, and quirky but also quite respectful. It’s about the body modification world but it’s also got a bit of a philosophical take on it. They just have a lot of fun with it! They do what their passion is; they do what drives them and that really shows through. I love it.

Cherri, so what’s your favourite film then?

Cherri >> I’m a big horror film fan… I do remember a defining moment (it was the 80s, don’t forget this now) watching Hell Raiser – a classic horror film. That’s when I decided I wanted to be a part of that. In the 80s, we used to sneak off into the horror section at the video shop and read all the backs of all the films and dream of watching those one day.

Ever since then, I’ve watched horror films and I love them! They are exciting – some of them are rubbish but I even love the rubbish ones. It’s just the story, the mystery, some of them are ridiculous – I’m a big fan of fake horror like The Wicker Man, Hostel, Sharknado… I love anything that throws back to a B movie.

The idea of going into a cinema, having a laugh or being a bit scared, that’s part of the magic of film and TV for me. It’s escapism, you get lost in the world and some of it means more than others but to be honest it’s the experience of watching a film.

How do you manage your mental health while working in such a demanding and fast-paced environment?

Ruby >> I worry about and I rush into a lot of things. So, the best piece of advice I ever had from my own TFS manager is to just take a moment to breathe and think. And as simple as that advice sounds, just having a moment to breathe was the best advice anyone has ever given me. I also like to move location a lot – I am not a sit-at-your-desk person, I like to move a lot. And I mean, we’ve got The Terrace at TFS…

If you had to name your biggest female inspiration, who would that person be?

Ruby >> Sounding very cliché, I would pick my mum. Like I said, I got to where I was because of my personality and I owe this to my mum. She’s taught me to be nice to everyone. She’s liked by everyone and it seems like everyone compares me to her, which is really flattering to me.

Cherri >> This is probably going to seem a bit obvious, but I’m going to pick my mum. She grew up with severe hearing impairments, so she’s been deaf her whole life. She’s raised three kids; she’s worked really hard all through her life. She’s brought me up with a view to respect people and I think this is where it comes from – to care about the people around you, to really listen.

That’s the quirks of it: listen to what people are saying and to try and read their body language and understand what is going on with them. Often there’s a lot more going on behind the scenes and that continues to this day. She really is an inspiration to all of us.