BROADCAST: LAMBENT BREAK TALENT ON MID BUDGET PROJECTS

The Brighton-based indie’s joint manging directors said that they had avoided falling into the trap of offering emerging filmmakers low-tariff projects as the pressures involved with producing such shows often require more experience.

Ollie Tait said that expecting new talent to work with budget of under £50,000 per hour can restrict their ability to learn.

“When budgets are tight the fast pace of filming and edits is so tight that the room you need to give someone to grow becomes harder,” he said. “We have found that we can work better with first-timers on mid-tariff series.”

Tait urged other indies to be brave and follow the lead of the Matisse-backed business. “I don’t see the opportunity for growth and mobility between roles unless this is the approach,” he said.

Co-managing director Emma Wakefield added that it is crucial to put proper support structures in place before attaching a first-timer to a project.

“You can’t drop emerging talent and new entrants into [productions] without making sure that you are on hand to mentor and advice that person.”

Wakefield and Tait said that they exec produce all of Lambent’s shows, which include W’s Women on the Force and Channel 5’s The World’s Greatest Painters, and work hand-in-hand with the talent they want to grow.

“Ultimately the buck stops with us,” Wakefield said. “Nurturing new entrants can’t just be a notion.”

The pair were speaking ahead of the launch of a trio of PSB projects all helmed by first time directors.