I have been extremely lucky. I have spent my working life in a job that I have so enjoyed and initially, didn’t even know existed. So how did it start? I grew up in the seaside town of Worthing in Sussex and when I was about 15 years old I started visiting The Connaught Theatre Repertory Company – continuing to go every week for years to come.
After leaving school I studied Architecture at Brighton College of Arts and Crafts and nearby was the Theatre Royal. It was possible to buy really cheap tickets up in the vertiginous gods. The college also had a thriving film society which was my introduction to European films.
By year three of my course I realised that I really wanted to become a Theatre Designer rather than an Architect, so I wrote to my favourite Stage Designer – Sean Kenny. He replied advising me to get “that piece of RIBA paper in my hand” and to then come and see him. I found out that he had worked in the BBC Design Department – so I wrote to them!
I got an interview with Dick Levan, the Head of Department, and he offered me a full-time job. That was how it all started. A lucky accident.
The other person I owe my career to is the Head of Design at BBC Bristol, Sally Hulke. She took me on after I’d had a 17-year break to look after my two sons. After 18 months as a freelancer at Bristol I got my first feature film job. That is how it all started. I was so lucky.
