About me: Marisa’s television career began at the BBC where she trained as a production assistant and moved into production management in early 2000. Marisa went freelance a few years later and has worked in all areas of factual programming and formats since. With many years experience as a production manager and line producer and more recently as production executive and Head of Production, Marisa is able to quickly assimilate overall requirements of productions and juggle various tasks whilst keeping a cool head and a fun sense of humour.
22 years experience.
Genre: Commercials, Corporate, Drama, Drama Documentary, Factual Entertainment, Magazine Programmes, Observational Documentary
Additional skills: 16mm or 35mm, Archive, EP Budgeting, EP Scheduling, File Based Formats, Health And Safety, Negotiating a contract with a broadcaster, Underwater Filming
Other skills: Experienced HoP/Production Executive in all areas of factual programming, from smaller one-off docs to more complex big- budget docu-drama productions. Competent in all of the following : Budgeting , cost managing (PMI friendly) and schedules, contracts, compliance, health & safety/Covid, DoC, post production, archive-based projects, legal, working with talent, negotiating with agents, contributors and locations, delivery to all the main UK & US broadcasters, liasing with commissioning editors and their business affair teams. I enjoy being able to work closely with directors and producers to achieve the best possible outcomes for their films within budgets. Good people person and team manager.
Overseas experience in: Australia, Canada, France, Italy, Thailand, United States of America.
At the moment I'm working at: Freelance Contract HoP/Prod Exec/Production Consultant
Willing to be based in: London / South East
Languages: Average French, Good Italian
Credits
Britespark Films
Production company: Britespark Films; On-screen credit: HoP; Programme type: Current Affairs, Documentary, Observational Documentary; Broadcaster: C4, C5, BBC.
HoP Cover from Feb - June 2023
Various projects for Brinkworth TV & Wag Entertainment
Production company: Brinkworth TV & Wag Entertainment; On-screen credit: Production Executive; Programme type: Documentary, Drama, Drama Documentary, Observational Documentary; Broadcaster: A&E Netowrks, C5, C4, Netflix.
Overseeing various productions from real crime for A&E, to new documentary series for C5 about revenge and a new series about body image for C4
Angel Eye Meda & Turquoise TV
Production company: Angel Eye Media & Turquoise TV; On-screen credit: Head of Production; Programme type: Current Affairs, Documentary, Factual Entertainment, Observational Documentary; Broadcaster: BBC, C5, Discovery, OU.
Advising on and overseeing various different projects at independent production companies.
TOP HAT PRODUCTIONS
Production company: Top Hat Productions; On-screen credit: Head of Production; Programme type: Current Affairs, Documentary, Drama, Drama Documentary, Observational Documentary; Broadcaster: BBC, C4, Discovery.
Managing and overseeing Top Hat Productions varied slate.
WILD PICTURES
Production company: Wild Pictures; On-screen credit: Head of Production; Programme type: Current Affairs, Documentary, Factual Entertainment, Observational Documentary; Broadcaster: BBC, ITV, C4, C5.
Overseeing Wild Pictures varied output.
SOUTH BANK SHOW
Production company: Director’s Cut Productions; On-screen credit: Line Producer; Programme type: Documentary, Factual Entertainment; Broadcaster: Sky Arts.
Landmark arts documentary series presented by Melvyn Bragg
Baby Faced Mum & Brides
Production company: Crackit Productions; On-screen credit: Production Manager; Programme type: Documentary, Observational Documentary; Broadcaster: Channel 5.
Working on 2 x low-budget/fast turnaround ob docs series for C5. Managing large teams both in the office and on location as well as multiple edits all happening whilst filming is taking place. Intense detail to working on ever-changing schedules and budgeting as well as hiring correct teams for the programmes in order to hit the delivery and transmission schedule.
WALKING THROUGH HISTORY
Production company: Wildfire Television; On-screen credit: Line Producer; Programme type: Documentary; Broadcaster: Channel 4.
Six part series for C4. Presenter-led historical documentary series exploring beautiful walks in different parts of the UK and uncovering the history of that particular region. Shot on two cameras and file-based delivery to C4.
INSIDE THE WILDFIRE
Production company: Dragonfly Film & TV; On-screen credit: Production Manager; Programme type: Documentary, Observational Documentary; Broadcaster: BBC2/SBS.
2-part specialist factual documentary series for BBC 2 about the increase in wildfires. Presented by Simon Reeve and Kate Humble. Filming in Australia and the USA. Exploring their affect on the environment, wildlife and ecology and talking to fire scientists who are looking at ways to control and minimise them.
THE TWO RONNIES
Production company: North One TV; On-screen credit: Production Manager; Programme type: Documentary, LE; Broadcaster: UK TV.
Three-part 60 mins factual/entertainment series charting the history and success of one of Britain's much-loved comedy duos. Archive heavy with studio location filming with Ronnie Corbett, celebrity interviewees and writers who worked and knew both Ronnies well.
RED, HOT AND YUMMY
Production company: Sharp Jack Media; On-screen credit: Line Producer; Programme type: Documentary, Factual Entertainment, Observational Documentary; Broadcaster: The Food Network.
8 x 30 mins series. Character led, factual entertainment doc series following the work of fun and fiesty chef Nichola Smith. Nichola runs a new location catering business which caters for celebrities and their glitzy events.
MIND THE GAP
Production company: White Rabbit Films; On-screen credit: Line Producer; Programme type: Documentary; Broadcaster: BBC.
30 minute documentary for BBC TV exploring the great wealth divide in London. Looking at how lifetime expectancy and quality of life varies enormously depending on which part of the city you live in.
GREATEST LITTLE BRITONS: THE GOOD FUNERAL AWARDS
Production company: Sharp Jack Media; On-screen credit: Production Executive; Programme type: Documentary, Factual Entertainment, Observational Documentary; Broadcaster: SKY.
60 minute ob-doc following the planning and preparation of the UK’s first ever Good Funeral Awards. We meet the organisers, the nominees and a lot of other colourful and interesting characters in between.
NOW THAT’S HISTORY!
Production company: Bigger Pictures; On-screen credit: Production Manager; Programme type: Documentary, Factual Entertainment; Broadcaster: SKY.
Factual entertainment, 20 x 30’ archive series about the big news and music events covering the years 1982 - 2001. Each year/programme narrated by a different celebrity.
GREATEST LITTLE BRITONS: SHOW PONIES
Production company: Smoking Pony Productions; On-screen credit: Production Executive; Programme type: Documentary; Broadcaster: Sky One.
A 60’ ob-doc following four competitors at the prestigious annual British Show Ponies Society Championships. We have an insight into the childrens preparation and follow their participation whilst at the same time are introduced to the colourful and quirky characters of this very British sporting organisation.
SOUNDS LIKE TEEN SPIRIT
Production company: Number 9 Films; On-screen credit: Line Producer; Programme type: Documentary, Feature Film; Broadcaster: British Film Council and Film Four.
90 minute observational documentary feature, following the hopes and dreams of young Junior Eurovision Song contestants. Shot on HD with minimal crew and budget.
LIVE EARTH DOCUMENTARY
Production company: Century Films; On-screen credit: Production Manager; Programme type: Documentary, Feature Film; Broadcaster: Cinematic release.
Feature length documentary film shot on HD for cinematic release about the events leading to the landmark Live Earth worldwide concerts in July 07. The film explores environmental issues and follows leaders and activists such as Al Gore and Kevin Hall in their quest to spread the word and encourage change.
MONSTER MOVES
Production company: Windfall Films; On-screen credit: Production Manager; Programme type: Documentary, Reality; Broadcaster: C5, Nat Geo & Discovery Europe.
Four-part ob-doc format series exploring the remarkable skill, expertise and interesting characters involved in moving and relocating enormous structures and buildings around the world. Shot entirely on HD.
REVEALED: THE UMBRELLA ASSASSIN
Production company: Windfall Films; On-screen credit: Production Manager; Programme type: Documentary, Drama Documentary; Broadcaster: C5, Nat Geo, WNET/Channel 13.
Single investigative documentary exploring the notorious killing of Bulgarian dissident Georgi Markov in the late 1970s. Filming abroad and with secret contacts, heavy archive and dramatic reconstructions.
ATLAS: FRANCE
Production company: Wall to Wall Television; On-screen credit: Production Manager; Programme type: Documentary; Broadcaster: Discovery USA.
90 minute documentary shot entirely on HD exploring the essence of France - capturing beautiful landscapes and unique and colourful locals.
IS THIS THE ONE?
Production company: Blast! Films; On-screen credit: Production Manager; Programme type: Documentary; Broadcaster: BBC 3.
8 part format relationship series shot on digi and mini dv looking at what attracts us to the opposite sex and compatibility within relationships. Managing 3 teams filming couples, interviews + fun scientific experiment set-ups.
BRIDGE ON THE RIVER KWAI
Production company: Windfall films; On-screen credit: Production Manager; Programme type: Documentary, Drama Documentary; Broadcaster: C5, Nat Geo, WNET/Channel 13.
60 minute history doc about the building of the Thailand-Burma railway during WW2. Dramatic reconstructions. Archive. Interview with war veterans.
SAS, THE REAL STORY
Production company: Windfall Films; On-screen credit: Production Manager; Programme type: Documentary, Drama Documentary; Broadcaster: Channel 4 and C4I.
Four part x 60 mins series for C4 examining the myths and truths about the elite SAS forces. Dramatic reconstructions. Archive.
HEAVEN
Production company: Oxford Films & Television; On-screen credit: Production Manager; Programme type: Documentary; Broadcaster: Channel 4.
One-off documentary for exploring peoples perceptions of Heaven. Shot on digi and super 8. Filming interviews. Archive. Actuality.
THE HOLLYWOOD MACHINE
Production company: Darlow Smithson Productions; On-screen credit: Production Manager; Programme type: Documentary; Broadcaster: BBC 1 & TLC.
Three part series for BBC & TLC examining the current state of the hollywood film industry. Interviews with celebrities, archive footage.
COMMANDO
Production company: Windfall Films; On-screen credit: Production Manager; Programme type: Documentary, Drama Documentary; Broadcaster: Channel 4.
4 part docu-drama series about the first Commando soldiers in WW2. A mix of veterans initmate memories and dramatic reconstructions of memorable raids. Shot on film/super 8/mini dv. Archive.
RUN FOR YOUR LIFE
Production company: Initial Films (Endemol); On-screen credit: Production Manager; Programme type: Documentary, Reality; Broadcaster: C5.
13 part ob. doc series shot on tape, charting the success and stresses of being a British top, successful teenage athlete
THE DAY THE WORLD TOOK OFF
Production company: Windfall Films; On-screen credit: Production Manager; Programme type: Documentary, Drama; Broadcaster: Channel 4 & C4I.
Historical drama-doc series of 6 x 50 programmes shot on film and tape exploring the events leading up to the Industrial Revolution. With dramatic reconstructions.
EVERY MAN: GOOD ENOUGH TO EAT
BBC1 Documentaries. 50 Programme - shot on digibeta. Profile of five people with chronic eating disorders.
EVERYMAN: THE HIDDEN TRADITION
BBC 1 Documentaries - 50 programme shot on Beta sp exploring clues hinting to the existence of women priests in ancient times. Shot mainly in Italy.
OPEN SPACE: LIVING FOR LAURENCE
BBC 2 Documentaries - 30 programme shot on digibeta profiling a family with a severly autistic son.
EVERYMAN: WHOSE HOME IS IT ANYWAY?
BBC 1 Documentaries - 50 programme shot on beta sp examining human conflict issues in Kosovo.
THE MORAL MAZE
BBC 1 Documentaries - OB Multicam pilot. Beta sp. Topical discussion based on popular Radio 4 format.
Our Sponsors
The PMA is sponsored by a variety of companies in the film and television industry. We have a long-standing relationship with many of them dating back to the PMA’s inception in 1991.
PMA members benefit from the information and services that our sponsors can provide, while sponsors gain access to the upper echelon of Production Managers in the UK who are major purchasers for the industry.
Become a sponsor
We only have one sponsor per area of business but occasionally opportunities to become a sponsor of the PMA do arise.
Sponsors get the chance to meet our members several times a year, host parties, explain their services and write for our magazine The Bottom Line.
For more information on sponsorship, please contact us.