POST-PRODUCTION/CRAFT
broadcastnow.co.uk August 2019 | Broadcast Hot Shots | 25
Nominated by: Will Cohen, chief
executive, Milk Visual Effects
Less than five years ago, James
Berkley kicked off his career with
Milk as a runner. Within four years,
he was leading on the animation
for major blockbuster projects
like Amazon and the BBC’s Good
Omens adaptation.
He achieved this through sheer
hard work and talent, according to
Milk’s Will Cohen.
James joined with a “keen
interest and passionate eye” and
was quickly promoted to junior
animator, showing a huge amount
of promise and cutting his teeth
on Doctor Who. Other credits
include ITV drama Victoria and
YouTube sci-fi thriller Origin.
JAMES BERKLEY 29
VFX ANIMATOR, MILK VISUAL EFFECTS
“James has a work ethic that
goes above and beyond the call
of duty whenever needed and
without question,” says Cohen.
“He has on many occasions
volunteered to show visiting VFX
students and mentees around the
studio and share his own experi-
ences and advice with them.”
Cohen particularly enjoyed
James’ work on US film Adrift,
on which he spent weeks hand-
animating waves for a major storm
sequence, handling the challenge
with “aplomb and maturity”.
Cohen predicts big things for
the 29 year-old, who he believes
will be “animating everything from
fully realistic CG talking to acting
creatures” within a decade.Nominated by: David Harnett,
head of operations, Timeline TV
Adam Bevis-Knowles’ route into the
sector is perhaps as non-traditional
as it gets. Aged 17, he collected a
passenger from Heathrow airport
as a favour for an unknown stranger
from his local cricket club. The
stranger turned out to be a TV
production manager, who offered
him a job as a runner on Sky
Sports’ cricket coverage, which
he started the following week.
A decade later, via freelance
camera operation at ITV, Adam is
head of cameras at Timeline TV
and works closely with directors
and production teams as a camera
supervisor for large sporting
events around the world.ADAM BEVIS-KNOWLES 26
HEAD OF CAMERAS, TIMELINE TV
He was part of the team that
won a Bafta for BBC1’s coverage
of the England v Sweden quarter
final of the Fifa World Cup 2018.
In addition to camera work, Adam
assists the outside broadcast divi-
sion with bids, helping to write
contracts for the Dubai World Cup
Horse Racing and BBC Sport
Olympic Athletics for Tokyo 2020.
“Adam has gained an excellent
reputation for camera operating
and is frequently requested by
clients,” says Timeline TV’s
David Harnett. “Given his talent,
not only in cameras but also in
bid writing, it would not surprise
me if he went on to become an
OB manager or perhaps a
company director.”