Huw has a wealth of experience in video production deriving from over 20 years within business and corporate television. Initially Huw was Head Of Video Production for the Boots Group, and so has worked with many well known celebrities to deliver effective corporate videos as well as TV advertising. Huw now uses that expertise for a very broad range of clients including public and private sector, including ‘Fortune 500’ companies. Huw brings to the team a high level of communication, education, training and helping companies enjoy producing the moving image.
Huw is a dad to Rowan (age 12) and partner to Claire, a Biodynamic Gardener! Away from making films and lecturing, he has for 15 years been Vice Chair of the Ockash Trust who provide small grants to help young people in Ockbrook and Borrowash, through various community events. Song writing takes up a lot of his time too, with Huw specialising in writing humorous and bespoke songs for anyone who wants them, with more serious work being performed across the UK and beyond. Any time left is spent on conservation work with a specialism developing in Hedge Laying.
"Firstly discovering that Chrissa appeared in films I made for the Boots Company in the 90’s, and finding that Derby does still have a 'creative and value for money' production team who are fun to work with and good for business."
"Nightmare decision but it has to be Eraserhead by David Lynch. It was his student film, took him 5 years to make whilst taking terrible jobs to fund it, and the lead actor kept his unique hairstyle for Lynch the entire time!"
"The Red Dwarf in Don’t Look Now, if you haven’t seen it, make sure you have a cushion handy to hide behind!"
"Nicolas Roeg, he directed Don’t Look Now and many other landmark British movies."
"Moving into another decade personally, but I won’t tell you which one unless you hire me first!"
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Chris comes from a computer tech background studying AVCE ICT at New College, Swindon and enjoyed the broad range of subjects from web design, graphic design, building computers, coding and so on. Alongside ICT Chris studied an A-level in Film Studies, this is where his love for film began. During the course he was exposed to a variety of films he may never of seen if it wasn’t for studying Film, as well as being able to see films in a different light to that which he had previously.
It was during this time Chris started making films with his friends and his new knowledge of directors and cinema started to influence his own personal style of filmmaking. Chris didn't take any courses or training in any aspect of filmmaking until he went to study Film and Video Production at Derby University with little knowledge of real-world filmmaking but masses of enthusiasm. During his time at University he went from being an aspiring writer/director back to his technical roots and focused on cinematography, editing and colour grading. Chris graduated in 2011 with a first-class degree! He brings his fresh knowledge and vast amounts creativity of filmmaking to the Light Films crew.
Off set and out of the office Chris loves nothing more than crawling up in front of the TV and sticking on a film with his friends, watching trailers or reading up on the latest filmmaking equipment. His passion for making films never stops and can usually be found boring his friends with technical jargon and excitement over the latest releases. Chris also loves travelling although has rarely had the opportunity to do so. His fondest memory is being stuck in New York an extra week with his University lecturers and friends thanks for the Eyjafjallajökull volcano that erupted in 2010 where he met some inspirational and interesting people and since then loves to explore new places and meet new people. But let's really get behind the scenes with Chris, and learn more about him:
"One of the main highlights so far was working on a video project for one of our larger clients. Although the shoot was very cold it was a huge learning experience working alongside Tom and actors within strict guidelines that had us on our toes creatively solving challenges that faced us."
"Before working for Light Films I studied Film and Video Production at Derby University. I have been making films since I was 16 and during college knew that it was the career path I wished to take. I have worked on a variety of video related projects from short films, music videos, corporate & weddings, so being able to do all of the above at Light Films is a huge bonus."
"I have a number of favourite films that seems to change on a daily basis. Currently my favourite has to be ‘The Fall’ by Tarsem Singh because of its beautiful cinematography, gripping storyline and fantasy theme. The film was shot on 26 locations over 18 countries, that’s the type of film I’d love to be a part of!"
"When I was growing up, and even to this day, there is one villain that I was petrified of yet secretly adored and that character was Cruella Deville from Disney’s ‘101 Dalmatians’, she was so evil yet unbelievable cool!"
"Currently my favourite director is Christopher Nolan because he is at a very strong point within his career and is only going to keep going strong and making fantastic films. However my most inspirational director would be Peter Jackson. Since I first saw ‘Lord of the Rings’ I knew that I want to make a film like it. Also with ‘The Hobbit’ being in production and Peter making production videos he gives a lot to fans of his films, which is both inspirational and educational as a filmmaker."
"In 2012 I am most looking forward to continue learning new skills and being pushed to my creative limits and breaking them. There are a lot of independent films in the pipeline at Light Films that I am very much excited to be a part of and will feel great working on our first feature film that begins filming in February."
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Charlotte's working background lies heavily in Insurance and recruitment, whilst more recently working with children aged 4 - 8 leading drama clubs. Performing arts has been an interest since her teenage years which saw her complete an A level in the subject and take on various amateur roles as well as some extra work, she even acted in a Greek commercial! With such an organised mentality from pressured previous roles combined with her love of acting and teaching, Charlotte is the perfect compliment to our team!
During her spare time, Charlotte is involved in community work such as fundraising and arranging an annual food collection for a local homeless charity. She loves to cycle and recently organised a sponsored bike ride to Skegness to raise money for Malaria No More, she also loves to box and spend time with her lovely children and husband. Now, let's get to the nitty gritty and get to know Charlotte a bit more...
"Without a doubt, the Shelf Stackers Premiere. It was great fun, everyone worked so hard behind the scenes and it was really nice to see it all come together. It made me proud to be part of Light Films."
"A cliché but probably Dirty Dancing."
"For all the wrong reasons, Borat!"
"Shane Meadows. This is partly because he is from Nottingham but also because he was my case study at college, I have a deeper understanding of his films. I love that his films are very 'Midlands', even though the quality of his work has improved since he first began, the themes and style have remained the same. His recent tv series' were amazing!"
"I am hoping to learn how to use our new software which will benefit the company greatly when it is up and running and to keep a constant supply of biscuits."
Do you want to start a conversation with Charlotte? Please This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
Kaye brings a wealth of experience to her role; early positions saw her work in the financial sector giving advice on insurance, mortgages and investments. She has also worked in Estate Agency and learned valuable sales techniques, and enhanced customer service skills.
Kaye believes that it is vitally important to be genuine, as people buy into people before they buy a service. She can often be seen on the local networking circuit, and is well loved by fellow business people for her wonderful integrity and big personality.
Kaye loves spending time with her family, one daughter, two dogs, Rufus & Monty and of course her hubby of over twenty years. She has always lived in Derbyshire but holds a burning desire to one day live in France.
She loves listening to music, wishes she could sing (as do those who have heard her!) and is not shy to admit that George Michael holds a special place in her heart; well someone has to have ‘Faith’ in him! Walking, cycling and photography are ‘likes’ of hers but spiders, rain and ironing are NOT.
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Chrissa has extensive experience in business and project management having spent her early career managing large teams within retail and later moving on to a business solutions company where she successfully launched a new business division. Chrissa joined Light Films in 2008 as an independent Business Consultant, where she rebranded the company on the strength of it's product and gained the awareness and financial revenue that it deserved. Chrissa has brought Light Films into the limelight and her commercial acumen and expertise has provided the missing piece of the puzzle at Light Films.
Chrissa also produces all independent films for Light Films, where she oversees the project from script to the silver screen. She has managed, co-ordinated, marketed and delivered 5 fantastic film premieres in 2009, 2010 and 2011 to which over 1,000 people have attended. She is well known on the networking scene locally, and runs her own networking club that meets once a month.
Chrissa is a Mum, a wife and a homemaker at her home in South Derbyshire. She has two beautiful daughters, Eryn and Marnie with whom she adores spending time and became married to Tom in 2012 on a beach in Barbados. She was born and bred in Aberdare, South Wales and is proud of her humble connections to the beautiful Glamorganshire. Like a real Welsh caricature, Chrissa has a great love for singing and can often be found performing a Tom Jones number! Chrissa also provides vocals for films. She loves all things creative, travelling and discovering new destinations as well as supporting her daughter's (Eryn) filmmaking talent (she has made over 18 films!) and sporting activities as well as attending baby clubs and classes with Marnie. But what else has Chrissa got to say?
"I came on board as a consultant and re-branded the company before it's relaunch in 2008. I fell in love with the company and have been here ever since!"
"There have been so many. The big film premieres have been overwhelming, the premieres held for our movie maker students have also been phenomenal. Gaining contracts all over Europe as well as high profile research & development projects have also been some of my highlights along with winning a contract with a fortune 500 company. I had great plans for Light Films when I came onboard, and I am proud to have surpassed my personal expectations of myself and the company"
"When I started at Light Films I didn't really have a clue as to what I was looking for in an enjoyable but well produced film. Nowadays, my favourites include Schindler's List, The Wrestler, Catch Me If You Can, The 3 Bournes, Inception, Stranger Than Fiction, The Holiday, Benjamin Button, Heat, Crash, Apollo 13, The Birds, Vertigo, North by Northwest, Psycho and one of my all time favourites Marnie (cue the name of my daughter!)... I think I'll end it there for now!"
"Well, it's got to be Alfred Hitchcock mainly because he always ensures you never quite know what's going to happen next! Plus, I absoutely adore his marketing techniques. Have you ever seen his movie trailers? They're tremendous! If you ever get chance look at the trailers for 'Psycho' and 'The Birds' at the very least. I also have a soft spot for Peter Jackson and Steven Spielberg, they're such lovely guys and incredibly ambitious directors."
"Returning to work from my maternity leave and getting married. But also implementing the strategies I have carefully planned for each quarter. This is going to be a fundamental year in our development as we really mature and stabilise our growth."
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Tom studied at the University of Derby and graduated in 2003. In 2004 he left the sunny UK for the gloomy state of California, where he studied at Universal Studios in Los Angeles towards a post-graduate qualification in filmmaking and directing. In 2006 Tom returned to the UK to set up Light Films as a film production house that had the ambition of Universal Studios with incredibly low budgets generated from commercial projects. He has developed Light Films, and the company has gone from strength to strength. Tom has seen the company through major developments such as the development of the company's major rebrand in 2009 and the launch of it's education division in 2009. Tom has directed and exectively produced many independent films, and has worked on many large films too including The Duchess and Doom. He is in high-demand receiving many Director and Filmmaker requests daily.
Tom is an absolute geek when it comes to film. He has over 800 DVDs in his personal collection and, if work and life permitted, he would love nothing more than to watch films all day every day! Tom has several favourite films, but up there at the top of the list has to be Superman, The Godfather, Star Wars, The Dark Knight, Raging Bull, Jaws and Bubba Ho Tep. Tom lives in Derbyshire in a bungalow he helped design, which was built in 2010, with his wife, 2 daughters and two cats called Sock and Clark (after the almighty Clark Kent, of course). Tom is a keen photographer who loves art and history; it comes as no surprise he has spent substantial periods of time in India, America, Canada, Europe and other wonderful areas of the world. With this in mind he's the perfect filmmaker; with reels of experience and creative passion. Let's find out a little more about Tom...
"I was here right at the start, in 2006."
"Many moons ago I managed a bar, worked in factories and did a few other smaller jobs to save money to go to the States where I studied for a year at Universal Studios. I managed to work on a few shoots whilst I was there; including a music video that was shot on the Old Mexico section of the Universal Studios Backlot and a few short films shot in and around Los Angeles. I came back to London where I again worked on a few projects including a feature with James Corden, The Duchess, Goal, Doom and a couple of adverts for TV. I then set up Light Films."
"Wow, there are a lot. Going on a job to the Mediterranean is a great highlight, the premieres for the films we've made are fantastic; each one is bigger and more impressive than the last. Some of the contracts we won are really big and means a lot of work has gone into the tender.
"I simply can't choose one! I watch a film almost every night, so my list of 'favourites' extends rapidly but my all time top films are listed above..."
"This is a tough one as well! I've always been a big fan of Superman/Kal-El/Clark Kent and the varies guise in which he appears in different programmes and films. Also the original cast from the Star Wars Trilogy - after all, everyone wants a lightsaber!!! But there are so many more I could choose too!"
"I've got a fair few favourite directors and actor, Scorsese, Jackson, Mendes, Fincher, Nolan, Spielberg..."
"I looking forward to new project and new challenges. Pushing the visuals and trying out some new kit and some new software, but untimately having some fun filming things"
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Our people make us proud. Our people are Light Films.
We are incredibly proud of our teams and invite you to browse their profiles to enable you to get to know us better.