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Chloe Edwards Joins Loop

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Loop Talent are delighted to welcome Hair & Make Up Designer Chloe Edwards to the roster.

Chloe began her career working on short films, with directors including Lucy Tcherniak and Isabelle Sieb, before moving into features, commercials and television.

Chloe prides herself on her ability to get the best visual result in a short time, translating important stories and characters through the world of make up. These stories include Shola Amoo’s critically acclaimed feature The Last Tree, described as a ‘powerful and important film’ by the British Blacklist – now streaming on Netflix, plus feature The Flood directed by Anthony Woodley and starring Lena Headey.

Chloe’s expertise for period hair, make up and fx including burns, wounds, and bruises has been utilised for many of her credits including war time feature The War Below directed by J.P Watts and Backtrack directed by Tom Sands.

Chloe also regularly works on commercials and stills campaigns for production companies including RSA, Another, Stink, Indy 8 plus many more.

Chloe is able to work with all skin tones, and all hair types.

Production Designer Sofia Stocco on Sustainability

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Sustainability and the filming industry do not always go hand in hand, which is why organisations such as AdGreen and We Are Albert exist – to support the advertising, film and tv industry’s transition to environmentally sustainable production methods. Their websites are packed full of information for Productions and HODs detailing the many ways to keep waste to a minimum.

Over the years, Productions have worked incredibly hard to reduce waste in their offices and on set.

Crew members are well versed in bringing their own coffee cups, water bottles, bags and tablets to set. But with a Global Pandemic brings a whole new set of regulations, and the risk of more on set waste is high.

We asked Sofia Stocco about environmental sustainability on set, and the processes she puts in place for her work as a Production Designer. Here’s what she had to say:

The challenge is big, especially when we try to combine the speed of delivery and budgets which have been getting smaller in the recent years. There are 3 main areas where films struggle most: green energy powering the production, pollution mostly coming from transportation and waste. Most of what we focus on will sound simple and all of the changes in isolation will seem small but put together any reduction in pollution or landfill is an achievement.

The area I focus on most is waste where art department has the biggest impact. There are four aspects in which we managed to make the biggest difference so far: ‘Responsibly source’, ‘return back to reuse’, make more ‘sustainable swaps’ and ‘learn to live without’.

We tend to hire a lot and reuse what already exists. Whatever we buy, we tend to buy secondhand and then encourage production to only keep essential key props and sell on or donate the rest to prop houses, other productions, charities and individuals. Main goal here is being responsible sourcing and changing the budget line from “skips and disposal” to recycling, reusing, donating. The biggest problem with purchases is that they generate a lot of packaging. Wherever possible we try to stress that we only accept cardboard packaging although that isn’t always possible. There is also a lot of materials we use which at the moment are single use landfill. That includes variety of tapes, vinyls, stationery. We’re constantly on the lookout for new materials which can improve that. Most recently it has been the discovery of recyclable vinyl. At the moment only one company in the UK produces it but we can now print anything on it from wallpapers, to a texture illusion for floor or even billboards. It’s really in materials and everyday running of art department that sustainable swaps and identifying and eliminating unnecessary products really takes place.

How has covid affected your general working process?
It has been a real change and definitely has set us back on sustainability the most. Everything has to be constantly disinfected and there are a lot of protocols with very strict rules on how exactly that is done. This means unfortunately a lot of single use cleaning products like biodegradable wipes, paper towels and worst of all latex gloves. We made a conscious effort to try to source biodegradable and reuse as much as possible, but it has been a real blow in that area.

Have you had to adapt your way of working?
Yes we did. Especially at the beginning, when queues for shops were lining the streets outside and suddenly sourcing a lightbulb was turning into 4 hour trip. As a result we had to pre-plan more, reduce last minute changes to close to zero and order more by post. Post especially meant much more packaging, which we can see is changing to biodegradable, but most is still plastic. Not all was doom and gloom, it also made work more organised and thinking ahead allowed us to source from companies we wanted or think of more responsible products.

Pre Covid how did you personally encourage sustainability on set?
We focus on reuse as much as possible. Reducing not just our landfill but the recycling as well is the goal. Unfortunately some productions still don’t recycle properly so we try to really advocate for that. I also try to plan a line in my budgets for green disposal, as well as donations and recycling built sets with the aim to recover and reuse as much of the building materials as possible.

Amid Covid, how has this changed?
On a positive note during covid we definitely managed to cut down our emissions. The dream would be to have electric or hybrid vans and lorries one day, but that still feels unavailable at the moment. On the negative note the single use of everything went sky high. Disposable catering, snacks individually wrapped, lots of single use PEP, cleaning products, actors safety, food used for food scenes which can’t be redistributed. Pretty much all waste increased enormously.

Do you think the industry can encourage sustainability and work safely amid Covid? Do you have any thoughts on how this can be achieved?
Yes I do. We can still make choices to try to swap materials we use to ensure that minimal waste is landfill material and find better environmentally friendly deals for waste disposal. Covid also wouldn’t affect sourcing green energy which now is supplied through bio fuel generators as opposed to still opting for diesel ones. I can also see that reduction in both waste and pollution has more to do with pre-planning and setting out clear conscious goals for individual departments.

Read more:

AdGreen – https://www.weareadgreen.org/resources/what-you-can-do 

We Are Albert – https://wearealbert.org/production-handbook/top-tips-for-all/

www.sofiastocco.com

Guest Blog: Producer Trevor Klein on Filming in 2020

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Covid hit our industry hard, yet the dependence on the arts has never been so important. With productions back up and running, trying to navigate filming amidst Covid and ever-changing rules, we spoke to some industry friends about how things have changed for them.

Here’s what Trevor Klein, BAFTA Award-winning and Emmy nominated television producer had to say…

What were your plans for the year and how has Covid affected them?

A few days after lockdown was announced, I was supposed to be travelling from London to Belfast where I’d be living for 11 months producing a new children’s drama. Needless to say this didn’t happen! A few weeks after that, the team took the hard decision that the production would need to be postponed until next year.

Have you been able to work at all?

Through April I did some part-time work with Zodiak Kids Studio helping put together a skeleton Covid-safe protocol for shooting location drama, with reference to the excellent documents written by BECTU, First Option and others across the industry.

Zodiak Kids had a comedy – the fifth series of Secret Life of Boys – due to shoot over the summer, and our challenge was to see if there was a way that we could make it safe.

Do you have any work plans coming up or are you back at work already?

We were able to get Secret Life of Boys up and running only a few weeks later than it was originally scheduled to have started. In fact we were the first scripted show to return to Northern Ireland after lockdown, and also the first to wrap (last week!). It’s a huge credit to our fantastic cast and crew who were able to adapt and thrive under some quite challenging new restrictions.

How has Covid altered your normal working practice?

One goal was to minimise the number of people gathering. If there was a way for someone to work away from set, they should do it. This led to me executive producing the series entirely remotely – a strange but necessary experience. Now that the shoot has wrapped, I’m overseeing the post and, again, this is something that I can do entirely remotely. It helps that it’s a well established show with a returning crew. I couldn’t have worked in this way if we were setting up a new show. I have missed being there, of course. It’s just not the same.

Have you had to diversify your normal working practice in order to work from home?

Fortunately my other professional hat of producing digital products has come in very handy. I’ve worked from home and with distributed teams making apps and games before so it hasn’t been a big adjustment doing the same for TV.

How will Covid affect your normal practice when you go back on set/ the office?

This won’t be right or possible for every show, but on-set for Secret Life of Boys we ‘bubbled’ the cast and some of the crew, putting them up in self catering accommodation so they were essentially quarantining for the duration of the shoot. We asked a lot of our ‘bubble’ team – they weren’t able to socialise outside of the bubble, even seeing their own families, for around ten weeks. Backed up with regular Covid tests, it meant that they could work almost as normal, within 2 metres and without PPE, on allocated (and cleaned) parts of the set.

The rest of the crew were masked up and social distancing, with temperature checks on arrival and a whole lot of other infrastructure and procedures. We also added more shoot time as we knew these protocols would inevitably slow us down and we didn’t want undue pressure on crew – safety had to be paramount.

Have you found budgets have been affected by extra protocols?

Absolutely! It’s simply not possible to produce the same amount of television for pre-Covid budgets safely. Every show will be different, but a ballpark range for drama would be 15-30% more expensive.

Do you have a new career plan since the outbreak? Has it shifted your focus?

I’m acutely aware that I’ve been one of the very lucky ones able to continue working in some form through lockdown. I’m focussed on doing as much as I can to keep shows I’m involved with up and running, as the more of the industry we can keep working, the better. So many freelancers have slipped through the cracks in terms of government support. I completely understand why that’s led to so many shifting their focus, and moving away from the industry.

My assumption is that we’ll be working with Covid restrictions through to at least the end of 2021 and if I’m wrong, great, but if not at least it’s giving the shows I’m working on the best chance of success.

We spoke to Trevor in September 2020.

http://trevorklein.co.uk/ 

In The Loop

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We are Loop Talent, a new and dynamic agency representing an exciting roster of crew who work in TV, Film, Advertising, and Music Promos.

Loop was founded by Lucy Price, an industry professional with more than 15 years on set, production office, and agency experience combined.

At Loop we not only want to manage and promote our incredible roster of talent’s work and achievements, we also want to champion the individuals behind the work.

We like to showcase more of our talent’s skills, processes, and work ‘behind the scenes’ so that Producers can be confident they are choosing the right person for their job.

Loop was founded in 2020, a year that has already seen an incredible amount of change. We want to use this change as an opportunity to bridge the gaps in existing talent management – to provide a support network, 360 representation, industry progression, and strategized plans for career growth – all from a team that understands the industry implicitly.

Having worked in TV, Film, and Commercial Production, we understand Producers’ time-sensitive needs for information and crew availability. At Loop, we are extremely production-friendly and strive to provide full information and timely responses to all inquiries.

You can view our carefully curated roster of below the line talent from the menu on our homepage, or if you’d like to get in the Loop and hear more about being represented by Loop Talent then get in touch.

Deanna V’lcevska Joins Loop

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Deanna is a professional commercial Make Up & Hair artist based in Central London, with over twenty years’ experience in Commercials, TV, Music, Events, PR & Advertising.

Creative, knowledgeable and approachable, Deanna has a broad range of skills which includes hi-definition make up, airbrushing, basic SFX, body painting, hair styling, wigs and grooming.

Deanna’s genuine passion for her craft and down to earth nature ensures that every job she works on is delivered with confidence, positivity and exceptional attention to detail. Her consistent repeat business is a tribute to her high quality of work and versatile, dynamic approach.

Sofia Stocco Joins Loop

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Sofia Stocco is an established Production Designer working on Award Winning Features, Short Films, Commercials and Music Promos. She has been twice nominated for Best Design on shorts The Wyrd at Underwire Festival, and The Conductor at Enginuity Film Festival.

Sofia designed the highly acclaimed film MAKE UP directed by Claire Oakley which is currently at the BFI Flare festival and was selected by Artificial Eye, Curzon Cinemas and BBC for release and distribution.

Regina Meessen Joins Loop

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Regina Meessen is a creative and expert hair stylist and dresser, able to work with ALL hair textures.

She began her career at the prestigious John Frieda salon in Mayfair, honing her specialist skills across all hair textures, extensions and natural hair.  From there she accumulated several nominations and accolades including the L’Oréal Colour Trophy at the Black Hair & Beauty Awards.

Since going freelance as a Hair Designer Regina has worked on hugely creative commercial, film, fashion and music promo projects. Regina now works with the industry’s most prestigious and exciting directors including Khalil Joseph and Dexter Navy.

Regina speaks English, French, German and Dutch. Using these multilingual skills and her specialist knowledge, Regina regularly travels around the World for work.

Regina is available for Make Up on request.

Siobhán Harper Ryan Joins Loop

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Siobhán began her career in fashion design & millinery, working successfully in theatre before retraining in hair and make-up. Siobhán has since built a hugely successful career as a Hair and Make Up Designer working on highly acclaimed feature films and television dramas.

Siobhán is extremely skilled in character make up and effects. In 2017 Siobhán won the prestigious Royal Television Society Award for her special effects make up on The Drug Trial: Emergency at the Hospital for Raw TV and the BBC.

Siobhán designed I Hate Suzie, the 8-part original drama for Sky Atlantic co-created by Billie Piper and Lucy Prebble. The critically acclaimed series has seen Siobhan’s raw and realistic character make up lauded in the press, including British Vogue.

For Film, Siobhán designed both parts of Joanna Hogg’s The Souvenir with the much anticipated second instalment due for release later this year. Part one secured the coveted Grand Jury Prize in the World Cinema Dramatic Competition at the Sundance Film Festival 2019 and was most recently awarded best British/Irish film of the year at the London Film Critics’ Circle 2020.

Siobhán has a passion for Independent cinema and is thrilled to be attached to Joanna Hogg’s next feature, The Eternal Daughter.

Jonni Fitzgerald Joins Loop

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Jonni is a hugely experienced Costume Designer & Stylist working on high end Commercials, Music Promos and Award-Winning Films.

Jonni designed the short film Fighter directed by Bugsy Steel which won the Jury Award at London Calling BFI London Film Festival 2017. He also designed Cla’am, directed by Nathaniel Martello-White which won Best UK Short Film at Raindance Festival 2017.

Jonni has an excellent reputation for his eye for detail, adaptability and has his finger on the pulse of new fashion trends. He approaches each project with in-depth research, detailed boards and a positive attitude which has seen repeat work with the industry’s most recognised directors and celebrities. Previous celebrity clients include Maisie Williams, Charlie Sheen, Sean Bean, Lewis Hamilton and many more.

Jonni loves to collaborate with directors on progressive projects, giving visibility to diverse or marginalised voices. Recent collaborations include Starbucks ‘Every name’s a Story’ directed by Nicolas Jack Davies which won Bronze for Positive Change and Gold for Best Direction at the Creative Circle Awards, as well as Pencil at the D&AD Awards 2020.