Production Guild Awards 2016 - Winners Announced

Recognising the outstanding achievements of its members working in the film and television industry, the Production Guild of Great Britain held its 2016 Awards on Saturday 24^th September.

This year's awards support the MAMA Youth Project, which works to increase diversity within the entertainment industry and help young people to secure employment by teaching them core skills.

This year's Production Guild Awards, in association with Warner Bros Studios Leavesden, took place at The Grove in Hertfordshire, and celebrated four individuals/teams for their work in film and TV production:

The Production Guild Contribution to the Industry Award, in association with Kodak:

Joint Winners - Hugh Whittaker and Jackie Rowden

Over the years, Hugh and Jackie have demonstrated an incredible commitment in supporting new film-makers in the industry.

In 2010, Jackie set up a brand new production rental business at Leavesden and since then has built a strong team and inventory for lights, mobile generation, trucks and scaffold, supporting productions at Leavesden and beyond.

Hugh joined Kodak Motion Picture Group in the late 1970s, supplying camera negative and camera equipment to features, TV and commercials. He is now Director of Panavision Europe.

Between them they have supplied equipment to hundreds of productions from Steptoe and Son (MGM-EMI), through to the Harry Potter series (Warner Bros.) a number of the James Bond films (Sony), Batman (Warner Bros.), Saving Private Ryan (UIP), The Bourne Ultimatum (UPI), and the as-yet-untitled Star Wars VIII (Disney).

 Contribution to the Industry Award sponsored by Kodak winners Hugh Whittaker (Director of Panavision Europe) and Jackie Rowden (Director of Production Rentals, Warner Bros. Studios Leavesden) alongside presenter David Barron and Sponsor Sam Clark from Kodak.

The Production Guild Inspiration Award, in association with Working Title:

Winner - Harriet Lawrence (Location Manager)

Joining location management in 2004, Harriet began working in commercials before going on to dramas and independent UK features. Most recently on Suffragette (Pathé), she made history through taking the first feature film crew to shoot in the House of Commons. Other credits include Burton and Taylor, Fleming, and the Outnumbered series for BBC; set up the first series of ITV's Downton Abbey; and all Stephen Poliakoff dramas in the last 10 years, including Dancing on the Edge (BBC). This summer she wrapped on My Cousin Rachel (Fox Searchlight), adapted and directed by Roger Michell.

Harriet has run training for Assistant Location Managers at both Film London and the Production Guild, and has trained over 65 of the next generation of location managers.

 The Production Guild Inspiration Award winner sponsored by Working Title Harriet Lawrence, Location Manager, with presenters Faye Ward, Producer, Suffragette, Sarah Gavron, Director, Suffragette and sponsors Sarah Jane Wright and Shefali Ghosh from Working Title.

The Production Guild Member/Team of the Year, in association with Panavision:

Winner - The production team on The Night Manager (The Ink Factory)

Shot over 75 days in four countries, this contemporary interpretation of John le Carré's spy drama brings together love, loss and revenge in a story about modern criminality with lavish locations, stunning set-pieces and stellar performances. The series was developed, financed and produced by The Ink Factory and co-produced by AMC and the BBC. Nominated for 12 Emmys and winning Emmys for director Susanne Bier as well as composer Victor Reyes, it has been sold to over 180 countries internationally, with the finale on the BBC watched by nearly 10m viewers. The production was overseen by Head of Physical Production at The Ink Factory and Production Guild member Jane Frazer.

 The Night Manager Team - winners of the Production Guild Team of the Year Award sponsored by Panavision with presenter Simon Cornwell, CEO, The Ink Factory and sponsor Hugh Whittaker, Director of Panavision Europe.

The Production Guild Spotlight Award, in association with Pinewood MBS Lighting:

Winner - Pollyanna Gill, Assistant Accountant 

A graduate of the Production Guild's 2014 Assistant Production Accountants Training Scheme (APATS) supported by Creative Skillset, Pollyanna's enthusiasm and skill have ensured a promising start to her career. Initially she began working as a trainee on ITV's Midsomer Murders and Now You See Me 2 (Lionsgate). Following her training, she returned to both productions as Accounts Assistant. She has since worked as Payroll Assistant on upcoming Allied (Paramount), starring Brad Pitt, and is currently Assistant Accountant on a feature in pre-production.

 
Assistant Production Accountant Pollanna Gill - winner of the Production Guild Spotlght Award sponsored by Pinewood MBS Lighting with presenter Meredith Wilson, Head of Finance, Bentley Productions and sponsor Darren Smith from Pinewood MBS Lighting

The Production Guild award winners were nominated by the Production Guild's industry membership, and selected by juries of leading industry professionals. The Production Guild's Contribution to the Industry Award is nominated and awarded to an individual voted for by the Production Guild board.

For more information on the Awards and the winners, visit the Production Guild Awards website here.