THE TEAM
JOE PEARLMAN
Joe Pearlman started his career at the University of Arts London where he graduated with a first in Production after specialising as an editor.
Having worked closely and repeatedly with some of the biggest names in sport, music and film, Joe is able to confidently and quickly build the rapport needed to get the very best out of all his contributors, cast, crew and collaborators alike. He has worked with big-name broadcasters such as Sky, Disney, NFL, Universal, ITV, the BBC, and most recently as Series Director with the History Channel on the critically acclaimed “History of Football” season which premiered during the FIFA WC 2018.
Whether working as a Feature Director, a Series Director, self-shooting Director or a PD, his empathy and understanding of the story is matched by his handsome camera work and ability to guide an edit.
Joe’s long-standing production partner is Fulwell 73 for which he directed “Mo Farah: Race of His Life” (BBC / Universal) and “Life of Ryan: Caretaker Manager” (ITV / Universal) among many other short form projects.
“After The Screaming Stops” (Fulwell 73/XYZ Films/Lorton), his first theatrical feature, is a look at the 80s pop sensation “Bros”. It follows twins, Matt and Luke Goss, as they embark on a reunion gig 20 years to the day they last played together. Having barely spoken for 30 years the twins provide a rare insight into a painful and often very funny look at family and the impact of fame.
Joe is currently working on a feature documentary “Beyond Bitcoin” an insightful look at cryptocurrency (Fulwell 73/Conch Studios) and is in pre-production on two feature docs for Universal. He is also currently developing his first scripted feature. He is represented by CAA (Rosie Billow) for the US and Independent Talent (Ikenna Obikwe) for the UK
Directors
Joe Pearlman (right) David Soutar (left)
DAVID SOUTAR
David started in the TV and Film industry without any training or experience at the ripe old age of twenty-eight after being trained and employed in a completely unrelated industry. Now, only eight years on, he has directed, produced and led a vast number of successful, popular and acclaimed projects across the world.
‘Souts’ cut his teeth on many broadcast entertainment shows. He spent a couple of years learning the ropes on these shows, on red carpet events and on a number of other productions, all of which gave him a solid grounding in the fundamentals of the industry and an understanding of the crucial elements which make a show or film stand out.
For the last five years, David has been an invaluable member of the Fulwell 73 team. Here he has worked on adverts, broadcast shows and online content, but it is in films and documentaries where he has excelled and flourished. He produced the world number one box office One Direction cinema films, the highly regarded “Class Of ’92” and the Usain Bolt legacy film “I Am Bolt”, as well as the upcoming Motown cinema release. In the process he discovered that his sociable personality helped the subjects to relax, producing unusually open and intimate portraits.
David has been involved in the biggest projects that Fulwell 73 has released over the last few years and has directed and produced content for the US faction of the company who produce The Late Late Show With James Corden for CBS.
Working alongside directors Ben and Gabe Turner and producers Leo Pearlman and Ben Winston, he has found himself in a place of encouragement and creativity to his great benefit. He has been trusted, rightly, to direct and produce shows for the BBC and Netflix as well as to make music videos for world superstars and create content with some of their biggest clients including David Beckham, Usain Bolt, Kevin Hart, Jack Whitehall, James Corden, One Direction and many others.
Recently David was given the responsibility of directing and series producing Fulwell 73’s first ever Netflix commission demonstrating how highly he is regarded and trusted. The soon-to-be-released “Sunderland ‘til I Die” will be the first UK sports documentary series on Netflix and there are currently discussions about a second series being commissioned off the back of the first.
The journey from being a runner making cups of tea to having a film accepted at London Film Festival in just eight years might have seemed like an unrealistic dream, but David has taken it all in his stride and continues to absorb and learn from his contemporaries, colleagues and everyone involved in the industry. His success is very well-deserved.
“After The Screaming Stops” is David’s first feature film as director and, hopefully, the first of many.
PRODUCER - LEO PEARLMAN
Following the creation of Fulwell 73 Productions in 2007, Leo has produced and exec produced multiple hours of television and over 15 theatrically released scripted and documentary feature films. These titles have included the likes of “Hitsville: The Motown Story” (UMG), “Training Days” (Youtube), “I am Bolt” (Universal Pictures), “The Class of 92” (Universal Pictures), “Sunderland Till I Die” (Netflix), “One Direction: This is Us” (Sony/Columbia) and many more. A list of projects that have enjoyed commercial success across the board and critical acclaim that includes Emmys, National Film Awards, Brit Awards, International Film Festival appearances and nominations at a number of other prestigious events.
Fulwell team and production ever expandingAlongside this Leo is the Managing Partner of the Fulwell 73 group, heading up and overseeing all commercial matters both in the UK and US. His role is one that encompasses business development and growth targeted strategy, as well as the day to day running of the slates.
CREATIVE PRODUCER - GINA POWELL
Gina Powell is an Irish/Australian Producer based in London who currently heads development with Jake Witzenfeld, at Conch Studios (Oriented, Confess).
Gina most recently has worked for Fulwell 73 where she was creative producer on the feature music documentary feature, "After The Screaming Stops" about the 80's pop band "Bros,” Matt and Luke Goss, and their struggle to return to the stage. A poignant, and surprisingly hilarious look into the effects of fame, making the doc had a profound effect on her life and is her proudest achievement to date. Produced with Leo Pearlman and Directed by Joe Pearlman and David Soutar, the film is represented by XYZ Films and Lorton Entertainment.
Gina previously worked at Noel Clarke and Jason Maza's Unstoppable Entertainment from 2014 to 2017 where she started as an Assistant Producer on titles such as Metrodome and Netflix's "We Are Monster," Universal's "Legacy" and Bulldog Entertainment’s "Scottish Mussel."
She produced her debut feature film "Brotherhood," the third to the "Kidulthood/Adulthood trilogy" with Lionsgate UK distributing and Independent Sales selling internationally. “Brotherhood” was number two for its UK opening weekend, behind “Finding Dory.” Under the UE banner, she most recently co-produced "10x10" staring Luke Evans and Kelly Reilly, sold by Altitude Film Sales internationally.
Previously to Unstoppable, Gina worked with the promo producers team as a junior producer for Central Eastern Europe and Emerging Markets at Walt Disney's London office. While at Disney in her spare time she also produced short form content; commercials, music videos and short films, funded by various companies such as the Wellcome Trust, Cinema and Television Benevolent Fund and Brunel University. Gina has been based in the UK since 2013 and studied Producing at the Met Film School. In Australia Gina attended Bond University on the Gold Coast for her Bachelor of Film and Television.
COMPOSER - DAVID ROWNTREE
David Rowntree, Blur drummer extraordinaire and songwriter was nominated in July 2018 for Best Music in the Independent Horror Film Awards for his score for Andrea Vinciguerra short “Teeth and Pills”! vimeo.com/258807676
He joined SMA Talent in 2017 to concentrate on his developing career as a film and TV composer. His music is exciting, edgy and brings something different to the table. For quite a chunk of 2018 he’s been writing and recording with another SMA Talent composer, Ian Arber, on Endemol Shine’s Tiger Aspect/Sky’s full throttle futuristic street-racing 8-parter, Curfew, starring Sean Bean and Adrian Lester. He worked on Fulwell 73’s feature White Island as well as the feature documentary Mo Farah – No Easy Mile, alongside Ian Arber. In late 2017, again alongside Ian Arber, he scored the feature documentary about the band, Bros. He’s scored several shorts including The Mock Room, Not Waving.
In 2004 he set up animation company Nanomation and directed 2 series of the South Park-esque show Empire Square which screened on Channel 4 in the UK and Fuse in the US. When Blur took an extended break in 2006 David decided to train as a solicitor and practised criminal law for several years.
David met Blur bandmates, Damon Albarn and Graham Coxon, while playing in emerging bands in and around Colchester. On moving to London, the trio was joined by Alex James to form Seymour. After signing to Food Records the band changed their name to Blur and released their first record in October 1990. Over the next 25 years, Blur developed into one of the most successful British bands of all time winning more than 40 major international awards including 5 Brit Awards. In 2016 they were again nominated at the Brits for Best British Group, the 20th nomination they have received from the Academy.
Blur are prolific songwriters, releasing 8 studio albums, 13 live albums and compilations, and nearly 30 singles. They’ve regularly topped the UK and international charts, and their last 4 albums made the US Billboard charts – no surprise then that their songs have frequently featured in multiple films and TV shows since 1996.
The past few years have seen Blur release their latest album The Magic Whip, and tour extensively including concerts in New York’s Madison Square Gardens, The Hollywood Bowl,
London’s Hyde Park and across Europe, Japan, Hong Kong, Australia, New Zealand and South America.
David was brought up in a musical household, his mother is a violinist; his father a BBC sound engineer, who worked on early sessions by The Beatles and Cliff Richard. David studied music and percussion at the Landermere Music School but worked as a computer programmer before the music biz claimed him.
He is very politically and socially active and sits on a number of committees and boards. He recently helped to organise the Star Boot Sale in London to raise money to help ease the plight of refugees from the Syrian conflict.
MUSIC SUPERVISOR - MICHELLE DE VRIES
Michelle de Vries has had a glittering career in the music industry, both in London and New York. She has worked in the publishing, management, production, broadcasting and recording sectors, and now brings her unique combination of talents and experience to her role as a freelance music supervisor.
Michelle has an extensive knowledge of music and can work in any genre. Her background, contacts, and creative flair mean she can bring the music to life in any project. She has the skills and talent to manage the entire musical ecosystem, including research, spotting, licensing, clearing, commissioning composers and artists, and recording new works. She works on-time and on-budget.
Recent notable projects include:
ABBA SUPER TROUPERS EXHIBITION (SOUTHBANK CENTRE, LONDON), SWINGING SAFARI (FILM) staring Kylie Minogue/ Guy Pearce, MOTOWN -THE DETROIT YEARS (FILM), AFTER THE SCREAMING STOPS (FILM), NINA (FILM) Staring Zoe Saldana, I AM BOLT (FILM), MO FARAH – NO EASY MILE (FILM) Documentary about the athlete Mo Farah
FULWELL 73 was set up in 2005 by lifelong friends Ben Winston, Leo Pearlman, Ben Turner and Gabe Turner. In March 2017, James Corden joined as the company's fifth partner.
Fulwell 73 first came to the public’s attention in September 2007 with their critically acclaimed debut feature IN THE HANDS OF THE GODS. The film was given the widest release of any UK-made documentary and appeared in cinemas around the world. Since then, Fulwell has produced numerous films and television programs across different genres. Their most recent feature-length documentaries include THE CLASS OF 92 which went on to become the most successful sports documentary of all time. I AM BOLT, LIFE OF RYAN, MO FARAH: NO EASY MILE and FORBIDDEN GAMES: THE JUSTIN FASHANU STORY.
Fulwell specialises in collaborating and maintaining excellent relationships with on-screen talent. They are currently in production on a MOTOWN, the only official documentary with Berry Gordy. And Netflix series SUNDERLAND ’TIL I DIE, a fly-on-the-wall documentary series behind the scenes at Sunderland A.F.C.
Fulwell 73 also co-produces THE LATE LATE SHOW WITH JAMES CORDEN with CBS Television Studios.
A digital hit with over 2.3 billion views, and two Emmys in its first full season, sketches like Drop the Mic and Carpool Karaoke have both led to spin-off series on CBS and Apple respectively.
CO-PRODUCER - HEATHER GREENWOOD
Heather oversees the whole range of long form film and broadcast output for Fulwell 73 from initial development and budget negotiations, through production, delivery & distribution.
Following studying Stage Management at the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama and with the National Youth Theatre Heather moved into Film, TV and Event Production working with numerous UK & International broadcasters, and Independent Production Companies. Her credits include Jeff Beck Live at Ronnie Scotts, Rugby World Cup Opening Ceremonies, Keep On Running: 50 Years of Island Records, There’s only one Paul McCartney, Faking it, Strictly Dance Fever & Rock School.
Heather joined Fulwell 73 in early 2012 for the acclaimed documentary “Gary Barlow: On Her Majesty’s Service” (BBC). Recent projects for Fulwell’s theatrical documentaries include “The Class of 92”(Universal) , “One Direction – Where We Are” (Sony Music) , Mo Farah - No Easy Mile(BBC/Universal), and ‘I AM BOLT’(Universal) which followed Usain Bolt through to the Olympics in Rio. Also recently released on Netflix is “Forbidden Games – The Justin Fashanu Story” looking into the colourful life of the first openly gay football player which has been shortlisted for Best Documentary at the Edinburgh TV Festival 2018.
She is currently in production for ‘The Story of Motown’(wt) the first official all access feature documentary with Berry Gordy about the legendary Record Label set for Theatrical Release in 2019 (UMG, Polygram Entertainment, Motown).
As Producer on the theatrical scripted slate 2014 saw the release of gritty drama “The Guvnors”(Metrodome). Followed by “Level Up” (Universal/Independent), starring Josh Bowman and Neil Maskell, which had its theatrical release in the UK & US in 2016.
She recently produced “White Island” in Ibiza, starring Billy Zane, Billy Boyd and Example which had its world premiere, in competition for “Best of British” at the Edinburgh Film Festival and secured an event cinema release through Our Screen, alongside Carl Cox’s final live set from the closing of Space Ibiza.
In development is boxing biopic “Benn Vs Eubank” to be Directed by Kieron Hawkes and “Ibiza 87” a scripted drama series charting the lives of legendary DJ’s Paul Oakenfold, Danny Rampling and Nicky Holloway and the history of house music, being penned by Irvine Welsh and his writing partner Dean Cavanagh.
As Co Producer on “After the Screaming Stops” she is excited to bring the story of the fractious relationship of brothers torn apart by fame to a new audience while also satisfying the original “Brosettes” want to relive their teenage obsession.
COMPOSER - IAN ARBER
Ian Arber is on the “ones to watch” list for 2018. Already this year he completed the score for medium budget futuristic film Redcon-1, series 2 of Medici- Masters of Florence: The Magnificent and, together with SMA composer David Rowntree, a full throttle, futuristic road-racing 8-part drama series for Endemol Shine’s Tiger Aspect/Sky called Curfew,starring Sean Bean and Adrian Lester.
With 22 films in the bag, Ian’s big break came in 2015 assisting composer Joe Kraemer on the score for Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation. He scored the coming-of-age feature film Scott and Sid, directed by Scott Elliot which has just been released.
He wrote the music for the iconic award-winning 2016 Paralympics promo film featuring James Cordon, as well as the award-winning feature docs on Usain Bolt entitled ‘I Am Bolt’ and Mo Farrah’s ‘No Easy Mile’ (co-written with Blur’s David Rowntree). ‘I Am Bolt’ had a theatrical release in early 2017 and was a featured BBC programming in July 2017. His music for John Bishop’s In Conversation With series is used as the theme.
He wrote the music for BBC2’s comedy-drama series ‘Quacks‘ and My Name Is Lenny for Salon Pictures about the life of one of Britain’s most notorious bare-knuckle fighters, Lenny McLean, also known as “the Guv’nor”. The soundtrack has been released on Moviescore Media.
Following an opportunity to work with Brit film composer Harry Gregson-Williams, Ian bit the bullet and went to LA which led to other great contacts with film composers in Hollywood including Hans Zimmer, Lorne Balfe, Nate Barr and John Ottman.
Ian’s film scoring career began in 2011 when he was invited by veteran Hollywood actor, Scott L. Schwartz, to score his directorial debut Changing Hands. This allowed him to build a more extensive portfolio of work, gaining valuable experience and with talent such as Eddie Jemison (Ocean’s 11, 12, 13, Bruce Almighty) and Kevin Sorbo (Hercules, Andromeda) brought the film and his score a big audience. From there onwards, Ian built a network of contacts and began scoring for more feature, short films, documentaries and computer games.
Since then he has scored crime thriller feature The Window, eight short films, and several commercial projects including the score for Samsung’s latest product film. Other film credits include the psychological horror feature Reunion and feature documentary We Love Paleo.
A classically trained, award-winning cello and piano player Ian graduated from the University of Kent in 2010 with a degree in Music Technology; Composition and Production.
During that time he was commissioned to score a computer game Fate of Ages by Dave Hawes, lead programmer at one of the UK’s biggest games companies, Eutechnyx and immediately began working full time on short films, games and feature films.
“Ian Arber is a truly ambitious composer who has a distinguished talent for creating a wondrous score. A movie without a good score is like an airplane with no wings. Ian Arber’s astonishing talent will raise a movie off the ground and give your vision a life of its own.”
EDITOR - WILL GILBEY
Will Gilbey is an experienced film editor and screenwriter. He has edited well over a dozen films and documentaries and written several screenplays, four of which have been produced and released in cinemas.
He has directed two award-winning short films and served as second unit director on four features. He is currently developing two television series and gearing up to direct his first feature film.
DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY - NATHANIEL HILL
Nathaniel is a Director of Photography who is commissioned to work on Features, Dramas, Commercials, Promos and Episodic TV. His extensive knowledge working single camera or multi camera, with VFX or complex lighting set ups, has allowed him to work with some of the biggest artists in the world where his strong visual aesthetic has helped to create award winning productions.
His work has been awarded for several productions. These include Bafta Craft Award for Sound of Music Live which also won a Guild of Television Award.
Work with The Rolling Stones, Coldplay, Ed Sheeran and Lenny Kravitz have all been recognised by the Grammy’s, Emmy’s, NME, VMA’s and Guild of Television Awards.
His feature work has been acknowledged at several international festivals.
More recently he has achieved the worlds first 7 minute live single shot for the Commonwealth Games Hand Over and has since extended this achievement with a You Tube 5 minute live single shot and a commercial for Cadbury’s.