CONTACT
A: 104 8th Street, Apt 3, Petaluma, CA 94952
T: 707 266 2125
E: aneeta.c@gmail.com

Aneeta Akhurst
Producer/AP BSc Biological Sciences, PgDip Natural History Film and Science Communication.

PROFILE
Nationality: British
Residency: U.S. Permanent Resident (Full Green Card)
Date of Birth: 26/11/81

Associate Producer/Producer with 5 years of industry experience in Specialist Factual/Factual documentary and an academic background in Science and Natural History Film. Confident with generating ideas, scripting, organizing shoots and can be relied upon as a 2nd camera (Sony Z1) and sound person. I am a strong production all-rounder having worked on numerous projects from pre-production to the online edit throughout my career.
My debut as a filmmaker; the ½ hour Natural History film, ‘Fledging Expectations’, was given ‘Honorable Mention’ at The International Wildlife Film Festival ‘07 and received a Bronze award at the South African International Film Festival ’07. In addition, I have field experience both studying and filming wildlife in the UK, New Zealand and Indonesia.
I am looking for a role that will build upon my skills and will all ow me to take on new challenges as a producer particularly on location.

KEY EXPERIENCE
Producer
Spring Films Ltd
Feb 11 – March 11
The Reader's Digest, 'Secret Underground' (Working Title) 3 x 1Hr
Production set-up of a three part all archive, specialist factual series for The Reader's Digest. Role was largely to project manage the initial start-up of the series including establishing viable archive sources and developing initial story themes.
Executive Producers: Lynette Singer & Linda Romano

Producer
West Park Pictures Ltd
Sep 09 – Nov 10
The Reader's Digest, Discovery Europe, ‘Nature's Power Revealed’. 3 x 1 Hr
Produced this all-archive, three-part, 'natural disaster' series for The Reader's Digest and Discovery Networks Europe. Once again, worked extensively with the BBC Motion Gallery and other major news archives including AP. Responsible for initial scripting, fact checking, edit producing, rough edits and overseeing editorial content in addition to managing, logging and sourcing relevant archive and negotiating deals with archive houses globally . Other duties included editing sections for the online and editing large sections of sound on FCP as well as post production paperwork.
Executive Producers: Lynette Singer & Linda Romano

Associate Producer
West Park Pictures Ltd
Jan 09 – Sep 09
The Reader's Digest, ‘Wildlife Safaris’. 3 x 1 Hr
Produced this all-archive, three-part, wildlife series for The Reader's Digest working largely with the BBC Natural History Unit and BBC Motion Gallery. Responsible for initial scripting, fact checking, edit producing, rough edits and overseeing editorial content in addition to managing, logging and sourcing relevant archive and negotiating deals with archive houses globally . Other duties included sitting in on online edits, narration recording and post production paperwork.
Executive Producers: Lynette Singer & Linda Romano

Researcher
BBC
Nov 08 – Dec 08
BBC, Multiplatform Department
Development of factual and specialist factual 360o content projects and products for the BBC. Projects included; creating and editing a special promo for a new BBC interactive web product about technology that was presented to Discovery International.
Head of Development: Julian Phillips

Researcher
BBC
July 08 - Sep 08
BBC, Multiplatform Department
Assisted in the development of factual/ specialist factual products for the Multiplatform Development team at the BBC. Projects included; working with the archive from the BBC Motion Gallery to produce stand alone online products e.g. an interactive science quiz and an infant personality test. Researched for 360o art projects, enhanced documentary and a political product that would support the UK General Election. In addition, gave input to upcoming science products and for 360o BBC’s Children in Need (charity) .
Head of Development: Julian Phillips

Researcher/Associate Producer
Blink Films UK
Feb– June 08
Channel Five, BBC World, Animal Planet, ‘Extraordinary Animals’. 10 x 30 min
Researched and assisted in producing this family focused, animal behavior series. Responsible for finding stories, organizing shoots within the UK and Internationally and producing on shoots. Handled all archive on the ten part series. Worked closely with contributers that included academics from around the world.
Series Producer: Barbara Lee, Executive Producers: Justine Kershaw & Dan Chambers

Dev. Researcher
Faction Films
Jan – Feb 08
Developed a number of specialist factual/factual projects which included; a Nuclear Science series (BBC) and a one-off documentary about human trafficking (Channel Four). I was responsible for researching and writing for proposals as well as filming and editing promos.
Producer/Director: Peter Day

VT Researcher
Olga Television
March - June 07
Channel Five , The New Paul O’Grady Show
Researched and shot original VT shoots for the popular daytime talk show. Shoots varied from contributors trying their hand at piloting a hovercraft, white water rafting to celebrity interviews. On location, I was a reliable 2nd camera (Z1) and assisted with sound and directing . Contributor casting, securing locations, organizing shoots and keeping track of budgets were also part of the day to day course.
Series Producer: Jude Wood

Dev. Researcher
Lion Television
Oct 06– Nov 06
The History Channel,/BBC The Forbidden City/Misc. Development
Research and development for factual/specialist projects that covered historical, current affairs and scientific subject matter. Contributed to writing treatments as well as sourcing and establishing contact with high profile academic contributors from China, Israel, USA and South Africa.
Executive Producer, Cassian Harrison

Researcher
Lion Television
Sep 06 – Oct 06
Channel 4, Animal Farm 3 x 60 min
Production research and into cutting-edge agricultural science series. Worked with leading academic contributors; often handling very sensitive subject matter; examples include; genetically modified crops and cloning animal tissue.
Executive Producer, Cassian Harrison

Production Assistant
Natural History New Zealand
Aug 05 – Oct 05
The History Channel, Mega Disasters 4 x 60 min
Producer: Bill Katz, Executive Producer: Andrew Waterworth

OTHER EXPERIENCE

Assistant Press Officer
June 04 – September 04
The British Association for the Advancement of Science, The Festival of Science
Assisted the press officer with one of the countries leading science communication groups on their annual Festival of Science. Responsibilities included; identifying newsworthy stories, writing press releases, setting up press conferences and other press opportunities, co-ordinating with broadcast and print media and assisting with the media evaluation post-festival.

EDUCATION
Bachelor of Science, Biological Sciences (2ii)
King’s College, London

Pg Dip. Natural History Filmmaking and Science Communication (Credit)
University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand

OTHER SKILLS
- Final Cut Pro - PC/MAC literate
- Gimp/Adobe Photoshop - Post production technical experience
- Sound editing

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
I enjoy watching a wide variety of television and film. In my free time I enjoy hiking, photography, reading and wine. I also enjoy writing and have previously been published in the popular science magazine Cosmos. I have traveled throughout the UK, US, Kenya, Europe, Indonesia, Scotland and over a year in New Zealand .