About Us
Maria Ellis
Founder and Producer
With many years’ experience producing short films and music promos, Maria turned her attention to feature films and formed Bradgate Films to support a growing slate of projects.
She completed academic studies to become a solicitor in 2001, passing with commendation. Maria’s background in law set her up to succeed when leading major projects at HSBC, BT and most recently within local government.
The common thread throughout her career has been a creative, people led approach motivated by a determined commitment to social value. Whether within banking, a local authority or the arts Maria believes that project outcomes depend on ensuring working cultures that empower all involved.
Maria co-executive produced Academy Award shortlisted 35mm film ‘Gone Fishing’, written and directed by Chris Jones and also award winning French co-production ‘In the Daze of Things’. Her first feature film as producer ‘Ashes’, written and directed by Alan Coulson is now complete.
Mark Wood
Producer
Mark trained at the RCS (formerly the RSAMD) in Glasgow as an actor; class of 2005.
His background in guerrilla filmmaking throughout his formative years, with director Lee Hutcheon of Clan Films, resulted in 2 shorts and 5 features; developed and honed his skill and love for all things cinema.
He has worked in most mediums of performance as an actor for companies including the BBC, ITV, SMG, RDF Television, Yalli Productions, Roughcut TV, Brown Eyed Boy, RSA Films, 2AM Films, Clan Films, Clear Focus Movies, The Bowling Green Productions, XBOX and McCann (formerly McCann Erickson).
Mark has been closely involved with Bradgate Films since the early days of the company and is leading the pre-production and development of Bradgate’s latest features ‘Runner’, ‘Orphan Prince’ and ‘Switch’, as well as early stage development on a range of other projects.
Roger Bird
Producer
Roger Bird has worked in the entertainment industry for his entire life as both a performer and producer. He has impressed with appearances on television and in theatre and performed at the 2010 MTV Cannes Film Festival 007 after party alongside some of the world’s finest performers.
He produced the highly successful stage production “Mood Indigo” with Off the Shelf Productions which toured the UK, as well as dozens of stage and musical events over the past 20 years.
Roger’s knowledge, passion and energy has helped shepherd Bradgate Film’s current development slate of feature projects forward, securing a strong reputation in the British film and media sectors for the company. His extensive understanding of the entertainment business has enabled the company to move forward in its next stage of feature projects. He holds responsibility in the company for the business side of operations, including managing festival and market attendance to ensure networking and business relationship opportunities for Bradgate Films are maintained and fostered.
Alan Coulson
Screenwriter / Director
Alan studied film direction with world renowned independent film maker Jon Jost in the late 90s, and studied film editing under the tutelage of legendary editor Thelma Schoonmaker in 2004.
He has been writing professionally for the screen for over 15 years, working extensively in both the UK and the US. He wrote two new Judge Dredd movies for Morris Ruskin of Shoreline Entertainment, based on the 2000AD comic book character and has written novel adaptations and original screenplays for producers worldwide.
His first horror film, ‘Parasite’, directed by Andrew Prendergast, was produced and released in 2004 by Rebellion.
Prior to his time as a screenwriter he was actively involved in directing and producing short films, music promos and stage plays. He wrote and directed video sequences for the hugely successful stage play ‘Mood Indigo’ which ran throughout the UK in 2005 and was produced by Off The Shelf Productions. Alan has directed over 40 music promos, as well as live events and short films, including producing 35mm short film ‘Secret Friends’, directed by Mark Jones in 2000; and was a co-executive producer of ‘Gone Fishing’, written and directed by Chris Jones (Alan also directed the “slow motion” sequences in the film).
His directorial debut feature film ‘Ashes’ is available now on Amazon Prime.
