For the first time in its 23 year history, BAFTA’s annual Television Craft Awards have honoured a member of the Production Management department with it’s Special Award. The award is one of the highest honours that can be bestowed by BAFTA.
Alison Barnett, Head of Production of scripted production company Kudos, was announced as recipient of the award earlier this month. With more than 40 years experience in the industry, Alison has been an integral part of the company’s operations with well-known hits including Broadchurch and Life On Mars.
The recognition of a Production Management colleague is a huge moment for the industry, and is of significant contrast to last year’s exclusionary BAFTA campaign, Behind Every BAFTA, which instigated the creation of the Production is Broken movement.
It is a substantial sign of progress for Production Management, as Barnett’s win has provided an opportunity for BAFTA to provide progress in two of the areas that the Production is Broken report outlined as areas for improvement: much-needed recognition of the contribution that Production colleagues make to the industry, and furthermore provides BAFTA and other organisations with an opportunity to promote Production Management to new and emerging talent in the sector.
It also marks the first time BAFTA have uploaded content on their YouTube account and social profiles that makes direct reference to Production Management since accounts were created in 2009.
We extend our congratulations to Alison and her team at Kudos and encourage everyone to watch Alison’s insightful interview with BAFTA and her inspiring acceptance speech at the Awards.
We hope this is the first of many future occasions for celebrating achievements of Production Management.
