NEIL PEPLOW ANNOUNCED AS NEW DIRECTOR OF SCREEN CONTENT AT AFTRS
In a major coup for Australia's leading screen arts and broadcast school, the highly regarded British producer Neil Peplow has been appointed as the new Director of Screen Content, bringing unique experience in both education and screen production expertise to the school.
Commencing May 2nd, this significant appointment will ensure AFTRS students reap the benefits of Peplow's wide-ranging and top-level expertise from a 17-year career spanning producing, education and development. With 16 feature film credits to his name, and most recently holding the position of Director of Film at Skillset, the UK's creative media skills and policy council, Peplow is an exceptional appointment for this significant position.
As Director of Screen Content at AFTRS, Peplow will be responsible for developing distinctive training for the Directing, Screenwriting, Documentary, Screen Business and Screen Studies courses across all levels of courses, maintaining AFTRS standing as the pre eminent training ground for Australian screen professionals.
Neil Peplow is excited to take up the position, saying: "It is an honour to join such a well-respected school, with a rich history and an exciting future. This position brings together my passion for film making and education, in a forward thinking, progressive organisation. A majority of what I have being doing in my career has involved spotting, developing and promoting executive and creative talent. I look forward to using that experience to help nurture the next generation of Australian talent."
Sandra Levy, AFTRS CEO says of the appointment: "Neil is one of the most outstanding people in the British film industry and AFTRS is privileged that he will be joining us. He brings with him a fresh eye, an international vision and a unique perspective on training for the creative sector. He will make a significant contribution to the School and the industry and AFTRS is thrilled that he has agreed to accept this role."
Starting as a runner at Ealing Studios in 1994, Peplow has since developed his career to include Producer at Gruber Productions and Head of Production at The Film Consortium. He has co-produced, produced, executive produced and acted as head of production on over 16 feature films including The Proposition, Waking Ned Devine and Bright Young Things. He was also co-executive producer on the Showtime TV series LA LA Land which was nominated for a 2010 Best Comedy Rose D'or.
As Director of Film at Skillset, he worked in conjunction with the UK Film Council to develop and implement A Bigger Future 2 - the UK film industry's skills strategy for 2010 - 2013. He was instrumental in creating a programme of funding that will link industry with education to ensure the curriculum remains relevant, as well as re-skilling existing practitioners in the latest technologies. He has designed a talent development strategy, and has introduced a craft and technical academy into the already existing program of Skillset Screen Academies, to focus on specific training for lighting, set building, camera, sound, props, costume and make up departments.
In 2007 he gained an MBA from the London Business School, and has since acted as a consultant within the media industry with clients including BBC Worldwide, Vue Cinemas and Intandem Films. Peplow has also lectured at the UK National Film and Television School, and the European Media Business School.
As Director of Screen Content at AFTRS, Neil Peplow will be a key influence on the next generation of Australian screen arts practitioners, helping to nurture an industry of creative and innovative story-tellers.
For all media enquiries or interview requests please contact:
Susan Hoerlein at The Lantern Group on susan@lanterngroup.com.au or (02) 9383 4034
