Twickenham Film Studios continues to add to the world leading team of talent as part of the new era rebrand changes and are thrilled to welcome Cherri Arpino as their new ‘Head of Production’.
Cherri is highly experienced in Production and Post Production having spent nearly 18 years globally with some of the most well known film studios, creative content creators, and with some of the worlds leading talent from Feature film and TV.
Prior to joining Twickenham Cherri worked Cinelab, Company 3 and Technicolor specialising in Dailies Management, Picture Workflow and DI.
Cherri’s wide skillset includes producing and managing post production across the feature film, television, commercials and wider entertainment sectors, communicating directly with production, editorial, VFX, directors, cinematographers and studio executives worldwide.
Cherri will form a fundamental part of the business working closely with MD Cara Sheppard, and the Senior Management Team including Director of Technology & Engineering Tom Witkowski and Director of Facilities & Operations Laurence McCormack to nurture all client relationships, new business and sales, as well as ensuring the highest level of experience working with TFS delivering projects across all departments.
She most recently joins from working on the highly anticipated Jurassic World: Dominion set to launch in 2022. Prior to that Cherri was Head of Production at Cinelab. She also worked for several years at Company 3, as well as being Head of Dailies at Technicolor for nearly 10 years.
Her wide list of creative highlights include working on such Feature Film and TV creds as: Wonder Woman 1984, Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, Tomb Raider, T2 Trainspotting, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1 and Part 2, TV series Succession and she was even Dailies Manager on Bohemian Rhapsody for which the TFS Sound Team, lead by Re-Recording Mixer Tim Cavagin, won a ‘Best Sound Mixing’ Oscar.
One of the projects she most enjoyed worked on was Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker in which she was based out of Pinewood overseeing the blockbuster feature. It allowed for an integrated, and true close working collaborative way of working across all teams which is key to what we’re already actively implementing at TFS.
Cherri firmly believes in the need to level the playing field between all parties; client, vendor, studio, post and encourages close open working approaches. Her decision to join TFS was very much made around the strong culture and working environment created by MD Cara Sheppard and the new Managing Partners Piers Read and Jeremy Rainbird within the studio.
She joins at such an exciting time for TFS and the team that are being brought together to take the studio to a new level. Cherri will ensure we offer the highest end technical production and post production support, creativity and production approaches across both features and high end episodic content. Through technical and creative innovation and with a collaborative approach to filmmaking; TFS is perfectly positioned for the exciting challenges that the industry will face in 2021 and beyond.
TFS MD Cara Sheppard comments: “I couldn’t be any happier to welcome Cherri to our TFS family. I have known and known of Cherri for many years as her reputation really does precede her.
She is an equally respected and loved industry talent. Having played an integral role in such high caliber companies such as Cinelab, Company 3 and Technicolor means she will bring all those years of experience and client relationships to our TFS offering. In her new Head of Production role will work closely with myself, all department heads and the wider sales and marketing team to lead further TFS growth.
She will be responsible for driving our key client relationships, brand awareness and reputation, as well as bringing on board top tent pole Film and high HETV productions. I am assured that with Cherri’s boundless energy, vision and passion for all things Film and TV we are set for more continued success”.
Cherri Arpino New TFS Head of Production comments: “I am thrilled to have joined Cara and the amazing family at Twickenham Studios and to bring my experience to the table with the talented team in relation to all things Production and Post Production. I’ve known many of the team here for years and I’m excited to see this group of all-stars coming together to make magic!
Alongside my knowledge of Production and Post pipelines, I bring with me an understanding of the different nuances within this industry and the requirements that our clients may have – no two productions are the same. It’s one thing to provide a service, but quite another to be able to react to our clients many and varied needs in real time, to understand what challenges are being faced and to always find a way to help no matter what is needed.
My experience in Dailies over the last 18 years has given me unique insights into the unpredictable nature of the filmmaking process and it’s that which drives me to be a rock to our clients both technically and emotionally. Nothing is ever off the table, whether that be a processing request, navigating around ever-changing schedules to provide solutions or just talking.
Working in the industry can often be an intimidating and overwhelming experience regardless of the size of the production and deserves more attention than is often given. We are human beings with different personalities, so it’s vital to understand that there is no ‘one size fits all’ and that we need to provide a safe and welcoming environment to work in. We cannot underestimate the importance treating each other with respect on all levels and it’s our responsibility to lead by example – we are culpable, responsible, and capable of achieving this. I’m driven by my passion of creating an understanding and supportive environment regardless of the scale of the production.
This is what attracted me to Twickenham Film Studios in the first place; their ethos of creating a nurturing environment whilst providing the highest level of service as is their mantra of being a ‘Home for Filmmakers’. And that’s really what we are building here – a home away from home with a passionate, hardworking, top level and supportive crew.
