Our core team

Karen Benveniste
Managing Director
E: karen@vanillafilms.co.uk

With a strong background in News Journalism and Television Production, Karen worked her way up the BBC ranks to become Series Producer of prime time programmes such as ’Watchdog’, ‘Homefront’ and ‘The Chelsea Flower Show’.

She brings her passion for good management and open communication to Vanilla Film Productions, where being client focused is key.

Debra Sobel
Managing Director
E: debra@vanillafilms.co.uk

Debra worked for a number of independent film production companies on major documentary series, before joining the BBC in 1998. Over 8 years there, she produced and directed popular prime time and day time series including ‘Crimewatch UK’ ,’Esther’ and ‘The National Teaching Awards’.

Now as Joint Managing Director at Vanilla Films, she is committed to upholding high BBC production standards in creating stylish films that work well for corporate and commercial clients.

Claire Bee
Production Manager
E: claire@vanillafilms.co.uk

Claire joined Vanilla Film Productions in February 2007. Before this, she spent 8 years working in production for a variety of award winning Commercial, Film and TV companies in London and L.A. The last feature she worked on was ‘Stardust’ starring Michelle Pfeiffer.

She has completed her first year’s training for her M.A. in Entertainment Law.

ON OUR ROSTER

* John Maidens
TV and Corporate Film Director

Corporate credits include: AA Insurance, HSBC, Warner Leisure Hotels, BLISS, UK Film Council.

TV credits include Drama Documentaries such as: ‘The London Nail bomber’, ‘The Philadelphia Experiment’, ‘Doctors’ and ‘Casualty’ (all BBC)

* Bridget O’Donnell
TV and Corporate Film Producer / Director

Corporate credits include: The Chartered Management Institute, BBC ‘Making it Happen’ and Myeloma UK

TV credits include: ‘Crimewatch UK’ and BBC documentaries such as 'Friend Or Foe', 'Can't Take It With You' and 'Thunder Road'.

* Ross Young

TV Film Director / Self Shooting Director

TV credits include: ‘Holiday’ (BBC), ’Oil, Sweat and Rigs’ (Discovery) ‘Spending other people’s money’(BBC) and ‘Flying Gardener’ (BBC)

* Rollo Hollins

Director / DOP / Editor

Corporate / Commercial credits include: ‘Pringle’, ’Lloyd’s TSB’, ’NHS’, Holocaust Educational Trust, UK Film Council, and ‘Urban Dance explosion’.

TV credits include:’ ‘Rob Brydon’s Annually Retentives’ (BBC) and ‘'Don't Make Me Angry’ (Channel 4),

Nicky Jinks
TV and Corporate Film Producer / Director

Corporate credits include : LEGOLAND
TV credits include: ‘Trauma’, ’Watchdog’, ‘Tomorrow’s World’ and ’Charlie’s Garden Army’ (all BBC)

* Alisdair Irvine
Commercials Producer / Director

Credits include commercials for: Thomas Cook, Rolls Royce, Fox’s Biscuits, Warner Leisure Hotels, Saturday / Sunday Telegraph

* Iain Macdonald
Commercials Director/Scriptwriter

Credits include commercials for: Yves St. Laurent, Johnson and Johnson, Woolworths, Tesco, Bird’s Eye, Nestle, Domestos and Burger King.

* Paul Weir
Composer / Sound Recordist

Credits include work for: ‘Butlins’, ‘UK Film Council’, Chartered Management Institute, ‘Warner Leisure Hotels’, ‘Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy’ and ‘Heathrow Terminal 5’.