Film producer
Lee Deaville is an award winning freelance producer working for the world’s largest energy drinks company – Red Bull. He has been involved in the company’s highly successful media arm both in-house and now self-employed, producing sport, music and lifestyle digital entertainment.
As a lifelong movie fan, Lee pursued filmmaking from a young age, eventually becoming a professional producer after graduating from University of Staffordshire with a degree in Media (Film) Production. His career has taken him from Stoke-on-Trent to Salzburg, Austria, and now London, where he works with a number of production agencies as well as his former employer.
“I’m into all sorts of films,” he explained. “I grew up watching a wide variety and knew I wanted to pursue it as a career. I like the creative side and the ability to express yourself, as well as the emotions and feelings you can evoke in viewers.”
Movie career
Lee grew up in Birches Head, in Stoke-on-Trent, and attended Birches Head secondary school and then Stoke-on-Trent Sixth Form College. Here he studied English, History as well as Film and Media.
In 2006, he started his degree at University of Staffordshire, after attending open days at a number of other institutions around the country. He said: “It wasn’t a case of staying local but looking around other courses and realising University of Staffordshire was the only place that got to grips with the kit and practical side of filmmaking.”
Lee continued: “We went on a trip straight away to York and made two short films before we even started the course and theory side. We continued making a wide range of films throughout the three years, such as experimental and non-fiction. For my final year project, I made a short film called ‘Waiting for the End of the World’, which is about an Eastern European worker on the monotonous night shift at his local supermarket.”
Lee’s film went onto to win the Best Artists Film award at Exposures Film Festival in Manchester. It was also screened at Glastonbury and chosen as a coveted Vimeo Staff Pick on the popular film streaming website. “The film has opened doors for me,” he said.
After graduating, he was employed to make corporate videos at The Maclagan Men production company. “I was using all the skills I learned at University and honing them in the real world – managing budgets, shooting, cutting and dealing with clients,” he recalled.
After 18 months, Lee moved to Iceni, a video production company, where he continued with similar corporate work for large organisations, including Canon, Vodafone and Deloitte. After another 18 months, an opportunity came up at Red Bull in Austria, and Lee jumped at the opportunity.
Red Bull
“A Red Bull media house in Austria sounded like the Holy Grail for a filmmaker,” Lee said. “I applied for the job and became a timeline producer for a magazine show. They had a big office and everyone spoke English as a second language, as well as the universal language of film, so I fit right in from the first day.”
Lee spent more than three years at Red Bull, creating, developing and producing several concepts and two series, working on shows and special projects for Red Bull Media and Red Bull TV. He then took the decision to move back to London to work freelance.
He continues to create and produce content for Red Bull, including a short film showcase, called Electric Shorts. It features films from around the world and is curated by a number of Hollywood professionals. He also works with several production companies in London and aspires to continue making creative films in a wide variety of genres.
Lee added: “Looking forward, I’d like to work on more high-profile and diverse projects and films. The creative side of filmmaking is what I enjoy the most.”
Alumni Connected Community
Connect with your classmates, receive career support, mentor future alumni, update your details, expand your professional network, create your own groups, share events and so much more. Or just keep in touch with us and let us know what you are up to.