IdeasTap simply wouldn't be possible without an army of supporters. From the mentors who work with our fund winners to our partner organisations, the judges who sit on our panels to our Editorial Board members - these people have shared their considerable expertise to help our members, and we're very grateful. The lists below offer just a very small sample of those who have helped us along the way.
Mentors: Our major funds include expert mentoring for the winners. These are just some of the people who have helped them to deliver their projects and develop as artists.
Josh Appignanesi - Film director and screenwriter
Josh Appignanesi directed hit indie comedy The Infidel, starring Omid Djalili and Richard Schiff, scripted by David Baddiel. His feature film debut was the acclaimed Song Of Songs, starring Natalie Press. Coming up through short films and documentary, he also teaches and mentors in writing and directing for various institutions, including the London Film School and Film London.
"I really enjoyed having the opportunity to mentor upcoming filmmakers in a sustained way through a project from the early stages. The routes into film are so haphazard, and people need all the help they can get - in fact I wish IdeasTap was around when I was starting out - it's fantastic."
Maxine Watson - Commissioning Executive
I work exclusively with Independent Production companies, commissioning responsibility for Documentary on BBC One, including 10.35pm single documentaries and series, as well as BBC Two. I moved to Factual as a commissioning executive in 2002. I am responsible for, amongst others, the long-running brand Who Do You Think You Are?, (Broadcast Award 2005, RTS 2006, BAFTA nominee 2006, 2011), the first two series of Grumpy Old Men, Grumpy Old Women (Broadcast Award winner 2005), Beyond Boundaries: Across the Andes and Tribal Wives.
I worked with IdeasTap, with new director Rita Ribas, on a short film called Museum of Miracles . We discussed her idea and the way she would film it and I was available for advice during the editing process. Rita was a delight to work with and a promising director with a good eye.
Nick Astor - Editor, short-form, BBC Comedy Commissioning
Nick started his career at BBC Scotland on work experience after studying at Glasgow University. After more than a decade at the BBC he has had many roles including researcher, celebrity booker, producer, partnership manager, development executive and, now, Editor short form at BBC Comedy Commissioning. He commissions online short form comedy for www.bbc.co.uk/comedy from independent companies across the UK. Nick also sits on the committee of The Network developing new talent for the broadcast industry.
Nick mentored, and continues to work with, Giles Ripley who created a terrific script and directed a wonderful film, ’Orrible.
Rebecca O’Brien - Film producer
Rebecca O’Brien has been an independent film producer for over twenty years. She has produced twelve feature films directed by Ken Loach, including Land and Freedom, Sweet Sixteen, My Name is Joe and Looking for Eric. In 2006 The Wind that Shakes the Barley, set during the Irish War of Independence, won the Palme d’Or in Cannes. Next year they will release The Angels’ Share set in Scotland. O’Brien is a director of South West Screen and is on the Film Industry Training Board. She runs her company Sixteen Films with Ken Loach.
Other mentors have included...
Alexandra Arlango, Producer
Amanda Davies, Freelance Picture Editor
Barbara McKissack, Ex-Head of Drama, BBC Scotland
Ian Berry, Magnum Photographer
Jon Levy, Foto8
Kate Lonergan, Actress
Mark Power, Magnum Photographer
Maxine Watson, BBC Drama Commissioning Executive
Millie Simpson, Picture Editor for Drawbridge Magazine
Nick Astor, BBC Comedy Commissioning Editor
Rebecca O'Brien, Producer
Rob Lynden, Head of Programme Development, Dance United
Stuart Franklin, Magnum Photographer
Sylvie Bringas, Royal College of Art