Key People
Our ecosystem's key team members and frequent collaborators include:
Michael Brando
CEO, Founder
Michael Brando is an actor, director, screenwriter, and producer. He was introduced to acting from early childhood with a stage career spanning over a decade, he has over 20 starring performances on US stages. At only 18, Brando became the youngest actor ever to play Hamlet, the most iconic role in an actor’s career. Michael Brando will be making his feature film debut as both the lead actor and director of the upcoming feature film Mirrors. He will also be playing the lead role of Hamlet in an upcoming feature film adaptation of William Shakespeare's Hamlet - Hamlet: The fall of a sparrow. His current film projects also include playing the lead roles in an adaptation of The Red and The Black, thriller Fortunate Son, and the adventure thriller The Spider.
During his stage career Brando has played some of the most challenging and iconic roles written for an actor, among them, Hamlet in William Shakespeare's Hamlet (Los Angeles (2008), and New York (2010)), Val Xavier in Tennessee Williams' The Fugitive Kind, (Los Angeles (2009) and New York (2010)), Jerry in Edward Albee's The Zoo Story, New York (2009), Will Hunting in a stage adaptation of Ben Affleck’s and Matt Damon’s Good Will Hunting, Los Angeles (2012), Romeo in William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, New York (2003-04) and Los Angeles (2005), Kal Trask in a stage adaptation of John Steinbeck's East of Eden, Los Angeles (2011), Jim Stark in a stage adaptation of A Rebel Without A Cause, Los Angeles (2010), Dan in Patrick Marber's Closer, New York (2009), John Buchanan, Jr. in Tennessee Williams' Summer and Smoke, Los Angeles (2011-2012), Tom Wingfield in Tennessee Williams' The Glass Menagerie, New York (2008-09), Edmond in Eugene O’Neill's Long Day's Journey into Night Los Angeles (2008), Eben in Eugene O’Neill's, Desire Under The Elms Los Angeles (2007), Dennis in Kenneth Lonergan's This Is Our Youth (2007) in New York, Orin in Eugene O’Neil, Mourning Becomes Electra, Los Angeles (2012-2013), among others.
As part of Mandela Day celebrations in Cape Town, Michael Brando was invited to play the lead role of Morris in a 2010 production of Athol Fugard's Blood Knot.
Michael Brando also established Brando Pictures, a film production company which focuses on creating and producing feature films that combine rich storytelling with stunning visual aesthetics and dynamic acting performances, and communicating these stories to a wider global audience.
Dean Sinacola
Stage Manager - Space Studios
Dean Sinacola is Stage Manager at Space Studios Manchester, a purpose-built facility in West Gorton, Manchester, known for accommodating high-end TV and film productions. In his role, Dean collaborates with production teams to facilitate a smooth, efficient workflow within the studio’s stages and office spaces. Dean’s work at Space Studios Manchester involves close coordination with both in-house personnel and visiting cast and crew.
Under his management, SpaceStudios has hosted a number of large scale motion picture productions including Peaky Blinders, The Crown, A Gentleman in Moscow, and Devs.
Colleagues at Space Studios Manchester highlight Dean’s reliability and team-oriented approach, noting his willingness to support various departments to ensure that each production’s technical and logistical needs are addressed. His dedication to high production standards contributes to the studio’s growing reputation as a major filmmaking hub in the United Kingdom.
Dean also participates in industry networking activities and events, supporting Manchester’s creative community. His commitment to the region’s media landscape and to collaborative filmmaking helps strengthen Space Studios’ standing as a premier destination for high-end film and television projects.
Matt Brown
Post-Production Department
Matt Brown is the Managing Director at Core Post, one of Manchester’s leading post-production facilities. Core Post specializes in editing, sound mixing, color grading, and other high-end post services for television and film. In his role, Matt works closely with production teams to ensure that clients receive top-tier support and technical expertise throughout the post-production process. Matt is also a critically acclaimed colorist and has worked a wide variety of motion picture projects throughout his career.
Renowned for its blend of creative talent and cutting-edge technology, Core Post has contributed to numerous broadcast and streaming projects. Matt’s responsibilities encompass overseeing operational details, liaising with clients, and collaborating with Core Post’s in-house editors, sound engineers, and colorists. He is recognized for his approachable demeanor and commitment to delivering high-quality results, both of which contribute to the facility’s growing reputation within the UK’s media industry.
Beyond his day-to-day tasks at Core Post, Matt occasionally participates in local media and networking events, helping strengthen Manchester’s vibrant post-production community. His dedication to supporting regional film and television productions has solidified his standing as a valuable presence not only within Core Post but also across the city’s broader creative sector.
George Atkins
Sound Post-Production Department
George Atkins is the Founder and Managing Director of 80 Hertz, a specialist audio post-production studio based in Manchester, UK. Established by George with the goal of delivering world-class audio services, 80 Hertz has garnered recognition for its high-quality sound design, mixing, and mastering work across a wide range of film, television, commercial, and gaming projects. George’s role involves both overseeing the studio’s overall operations and providing hands-on expertise as a mix and mastering engineer.
His credits include Steven Spielberg's Ready Player One and The BFG, Bohemian Rhapsody and Ford vs. Ferrari to name a few.
Under George’s leadership, 80 Hertz has collaborated with production companies, broadcasters, and agencies of various sizes, contributing to projects aired globally. Renowned for its state-of-the-art facilities and commitment to audio excellence, the studio has attracted a diverse client roster, reflecting George’s emphasis on quality and innovation in the audio post-production process.
Beyond running day-to-day operations at 80 Hertz, George often engages with the broader creative community in Manchester and the UK, sharing his insights at industry events and supporting local talent development. His commitment to continuous learning and technical proficiency has solidified both his personal reputation and that of 80 Hertz as a go-to destination for premium audio post-production services.
Tom Henderson
Vectar Project Manager
Tom Henderson is a media professional and producer who is the Managing Director of the Vectar project in Manchester—a venture that aims to explore cutting-edge visual and immersive media technologies. Before his work on Vectar, Tom built a foundation in media production, contributing to a variety of creative projects across commercial, corporate, and independent sectors. During this period, he was recognized for his aptitude in managing teams, handling budgets, and supervising the logistical elements of bringing creative concepts to life.
In his role at Vectar, Tom draws upon his production background to guide project development, ensuring that each initiative meets both creative and technical objectives. This often involves overseeing content creation pipelines, organizing schedules, and liaising with collaborators—from technical developers to external stakeholders—to bring immersive experiences to fruition.
Colleagues highlight Tom’s ability to bridge the gap between a project’s artistic vision and its real-world execution, noting his skill at navigating the many facets of modern media production. By combining hands-on production expertise with a forward-thinking approach, Tom supports Vectar’s ongoing efforts to push the boundaries of virtual and augmented reality, advanced videography, or other emerging digital platforms.
Beyond his responsibilities with Vectar, Tom remains active within Manchester’s media landscape. He is known to attend industry gatherings, speak at events, and share his insights with aspiring producers in the region. Through these efforts, Tom promotes knowledge exchange and fosters growth in the city’s thriving creative and tech communities.
Ceinwen Giles
Non-Profit Department Manager
Ceinwen Giles has worked for a large number of international charities and agencies including the United Nations, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights and the International Planned Parenthood Federation.
In 2010 Ceinwen was diagnosed with stage 4B non-Hodgkin lymphoma and spent six months undergoing treatment in hospital. Now in remission, she still receives regular treatment for conditions arising from her cancer treatment.
In 2012, Ceinwen was awarded a Clore Social Leadership Fellowship, which is given to ambitious and influential individuals pioneering social change. The fellowship enables Ceinwen to access leadership development and mentoring support while contributing to the development of Shine Cancer Support, a charity which supports adults in their 20s, 30s, and 40s who are affected by cancer and for which she is a trustee.
Ceinwen is also a trustee of the Point of Care Foundation, a new charity devoted to improving the culture of health and care organizations.
Jim Cartwright
Creative Department
Jim Cartwright is a multi-award winning, international playwright, screenwriter and director. His work is in almost continuous production around the world and has been translated into over 35 languages. His plays have been performed at The National Theatre, The Royal Court Theatre, The West End of London and on Broadway and in many of the principle theaters of the world. His plays include, Road now considered a modern classic and winner of The George Devine Award, The Plays and Players Award, Drama Magazine Award and The Samuel Beckett Award. Voted third best play of the decade and in the top 50 best plays in the history of theatre. THE RISE AND FALL OF LITTLE VOICE nominated for six Olivier Awards, winning three including Best Comedy and winner of the prestigious Evening Standard Award. Two-time winner of the M.E.N best new play award. BED, EIGHT MILES HIGH, PRIZE NIGHT, HARD FRUIT, A CHRISTMAS FAIR, and most recently at the National Theatre MOBILE PHONE SHOW and RAZ Fringe First winner 2015 at the Edinburgh Festival.
Film and television include works include ROAD, VROOM, JUNE, WEDDED, VILLAGE, VACUUMING COMPLETELY NUDE IN PARADISE, STRUMPET, KING OF THE TEDS, the award-winning film LITTLE VOICE was adapted from his play THE RISE AND FALL OF LITTLE VOICE. As a Director he has worked at The Royal Court Theatre, The Ambassadors Theatre in the West End, The Royal Exchange Theatre and more recently directed the number one nationwide tour of The Rise and Fall of Little Voice. In television he has directed for the BBC, JOHNNY SHAKESPEARE winner of two Royal Television Society Awards, and most recently KING OF THE TEDS starring Brenda Blythen, Alison Steadman and Sir Tom Jones.
He has worked with major talent such as Sam Mendes (American Beauty, Skyfall etc) Danny Boyle (Trainspotting, Slumdog Millionaire etc.) along with many other leading figures from Theatre, Film and television including prominent actors such as Jane Horrocks, Pete Postlethwaite, Sean Bean, Ian Drury, Clive Owen, Chris Eccleston, Brenda Blethyn, David Thewlis, Kevin Bacon, Jim Broadbent, Alison Steadman, Sue Johnston, Michael Caine, Timothy Spall to name a few…
He has received an Honorary Doctorate from Bolton University, has been a visiting professor at The University of Salford and his old school Harper Green have named a building in his honor. His plays have been in constant publication since 1986 and are on school, college, and university curriculums.
Jack Hughes
Music - Northern Film Orchestra
Jack Hughes is the Managing Director of the Northern Film Orchestra, a Manchester-based ensemble known for its professional orchestral sessions tailored to the film, television, and gaming industries. In his role, Jack is involved in overseeing and contributing to the orchestra’s recording projects, which aim to provide high-quality, fully orchestrated scores and soundtracks. His role often entails coordinating with composers, producers, and sound engineers to ensure smooth and efficient recording sessions.
The Northern Film Orchestra’s work is widely recognized for delivering cinematic-quality audio on a range of projects, from independent films to larger-scale productions. Within this environment, Jack’s expertise—whether in organizational leadership, artistic direction, or session coordination—helps maintain the orchestra’s reputation for professionalism and musical excellence.
Colleagues describe Jack as dedicated, resourceful, and passionate about expanding opportunities for orchestral musicians to collaborate with filmmakers. In addition to his duties at the NFO, he supports industry networking activities and fosters partnerships that elevate Manchester’s standing as a growing hub for film and music production.
Alex Gregson
Sound Post-Production
Alex Gregson is the founder and lead sound designer at 344 Audio, an audio post-production company based in Manchester, UK. With a focus on delivering immersive, high-quality sound for film, television, and commercial projects, Alex oversees every stage of the audio post-production pipeline at 344 Audio, including sound design, dialogue editing, Foley recording, and final mixing.
Since establishing 344 Audio, Alex has collaborated with both independent and larger-scale productions, guiding teams of audio professionals to produce engaging soundscapes. Recognized for his technical proficiency and creative approach, he has played a key role in positioning 344 Audio as a reputable destination for filmmakers seeking professional audio services.
Beyond his direct involvement in day-to-day operations, Alex takes part in local industry events and forums, contributing to Manchester’s creative community. His commitment to continually refining audio standards and nurturing emerging talent underscores both his personal dedication to the craft and the ongoing success of 344 Audio.
Paul McHugh
XR & VFX Production
Paul McHugh is the Co-Founder of Recode XR, a company specializing in innovative solutions in the extended reality (XR) space. With XR encompassing virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), and mixed reality (MR), Recode XR leverages cutting-edge technology to create immersive experiences for a variety of clients. In his capacity at Recode XR, Paul provides strategic oversight, helping to guide the direction of projects aimed at integrating digital content with real-world environments.
Colleagues describe Paul’s approach as both technically adept and forward-looking, reflecting the evolving nature of interactive media and experiential design. His work with Recode XR frequently involves collaboration with developers, artists, and external partners to ensure that every initiative meets high creative and technological standards.
Beyond day-to-day operations, Paul remains an active participant in Manchester’s broader tech and creative communities, attending or supporting events where immersive technology is a focal point. Through these endeavors, Paul and Recode XR help advance the city’s reputation as a growing hub for XR innovation.
Razwana Akram
Legal Department
Razwana is a partner at the highly prestigious law firm Simons Muirhead and Burton. A key member of the Media, Art and Commercial & Finance teams – she jointly heads up the Media team’s Film & TV practice group with Nick Miller. She is a commercial lawyer with an established reputation for providing practical and commercial advice on both creative and finance projects and has specialist experience in intellectual property law and secured lending.
Her clients include those in the Film and TV industries, Art world, institutional lenders, public bodies, and high net worth investors both in the UK and internationally. She regularly advises on cross-border transactions, for UK/US related projects and in a number of emerging markets.
Razwana has also substantial in house experience having worked at Universal Pictures and also has first-hand industry experience in the production of documentary films. She is recognized by her clients for “that rare ability to combine an outstanding depth of knowledge of the legal intricacies of film finance with a practical and commercial view on what our requirements might be from an investment perspective.” She is also a Board adviser to a number of international charities and philanthropic organizations.
Ben Brownson
Financial Department
Ben Brownson is the Chief Operating Officer of RPG Chartered Accountants, with responsibilities across the RPG Group (including RPG Chartered Financial Planners and RPG Business Recovery incorporating Crawfords).
Prior to joining RPG, Ben spent several years with Deloitte where he qualified as a Chartered Accountant and obtained in-depth expertise in large and complex transactions, audit, capital markets and operational excellence. Ben took on a dual role at RPG, combining client work and developing RPG’s operations. Ben recently led the RPG team that supported the shareholders of Reich Insurance Brokers, one of the UK’s largest independent brokers, with the sale of their business to Howden Broking Group.
Ben is currently focused on the development of RPG’s ways-of-working with particular emphasis on further enhancing RPG’s renowned quality client service by empowering our People through the enhanced use of technology.
Outside of the office, Ben is widely engaged within the community, a supporter of Manchester City and an avid golfer. He has recently been recognised as the Outstanding Young Adult Volunteer of the Year (2022) at The Jewish Volunteering Network awards, for his work with Maccabi GB and the development of golf within the community.
Alex Dove
Big Shed Studio - Manager
Alex is the owner of Big Shed Studios, which is becoming one of Manchester’s favorite creative spaces for independent productions and is located minutes from Media City, Manchester city centre, the M60 motorway, and the Metrolink tram network.
Alex is also a Director of Photography based in Manchester, offering a high level of expertise and creativity across a wide range of feature film, TV, broadcast and commercial productions. He is also a highly experienced Steadicam operator.
His regular clients include the BBC, ITV, Channel 4, Channel 5, Sky and Independent production companies and has experience of working with all of the main professional camera formats.
Alex is passionate about work as well as constantly expanding Big Shed studios and always strives to achieve the highest production-value on whatever production he is involved in.
Javor Gardev
Creative Department
Javor Gardev is a multi-award-winning film and stage director. Gardev has a Mphil in Philosophy from St. Kliment Ohridski University in Sofia, as well as an MFA in Directing from the National Academy of Theatre and Film Arts. He was awarded the Fulbright Prize, which allowed him to pursue specialisation at Northwestern University's School of Communication in the US. One of the foremost directors of Bulgaria, he has staged over 50 theatre performances, including international co-productions. Javor Gardev’s debut feature film, Zift, won nineteen national and international awards and was presented at 54 international film festivals, including the 2008 Toronto International Film Festival (Official Selection “Discovery”). Zift is part of the VOD and streaming slections of the Independent Film Channel, Sundance Channel, Netflix, and HBO Max. Zift was Bulgaria’s official submission for the Academy Award in the Best Foreign Language Film category in 2008 and part of the Official Selection of the 2008 European Film Academy Awards. Upon its release Zift broke the record for the highest grossing Bulgarian feature film in two decades.
His stage works were presented on tour in Berlin, Paris, Lille, Bern, Gdansk, Chicago, San Francisco, Seattle, Moscow, St.Petersburg, Lisbon, Skopje, Rotterdam, and Utrecht, to name a few. Among the plays he has staged are William Shakespeare’s Hamlet and King Lear, Edward Albee’s The Play about The Baby and The Goat, or Who is Sylvia? (endorsed by the late Edward Albee in Sofia in 2009), Heiner Müller’s Quartet, Jean Genet’s The Maids, Peter Weiss’ Marat/Sade, Martin McDonagh’s The Pillowman, A Behanding in Spokane, and Hangmen, Tracy Letts’s Killer Joe, Ethan Coen’s Almost an Evening.
Javor Gardev has also directed radio dramas, including The Atoll, winner of the Grand Prix Europe for Best European Radio Drama in Berlin in 1999. He also authored performance art and video art works like Visual Police in 2005. Javor Gardev is a member of the European Film Academy and an affiliated director at the Drama League of New York.
Kim Allen Kluge
Creative Department - Music
Kim Allen Kluge is an American composer and conductor, best known for his longstanding tenure as Music Director of the Alexandria Symphony Orchestra (ASO) in Virginia, a position he held for over two decades. Under his leadership, the ASO expanded its repertoire, showcasing both classical masterworks and contemporary compositions while cultivating new audiences through innovative programming.
In addition to his conducting career, Kim Allen Kluge has built a distinguished profile as a composer. He frequently collaborates with his wife and fellow composer, Kathryn Kluge, creating music that spans orchestral, chamber, choral, and film genres. One of their most notable joint projects was writing the original score for Martin Scorsese’s 2016 film Silence, earning attention for its atmospheric, introspective soundscape.
Kluge’s compositional style often integrates a deep appreciation for traditional Western orchestral techniques with experimental elements, reflecting an interest in unique timbres and cross-cultural influences. His works have been performed by a variety of ensembles and have garnered positive reviews for their emotional range and craftsmanship.
Throughout his career, Kim Allen Kluge has supported educational outreach and community engagement, striving to make orchestral and contemporary music more accessible to the public. From conducting youth ensembles to premiering works by emerging composers, Kluge’s commitment to fostering the next generation of talent stands as a key component of his artistic mission.
Kathryn Kluge
Creative Department - Music
Kathryn Kluge is an American composer best known for her collaborative film scoring efforts with her husband, conductor and composer Kim Allen Kluge. Together, they co-composed the original score for director Martin Scorsese’s 2016 film, Silence, earning recognition for their ability to create an immersive, contemplative musical atmosphere. Their collaboration for the film involved merging Western orchestral elements with subtle, culturally diverse instrumentation, resulting in a distinctive soundscape that complements the movie’s themes.
Beyond her film work, Kathryn Kluge also composes concert pieces and other musical works. While public information on her complete repertoire is limited, critics and audiences alike have noted her penchant for blending classical approaches with modern, sometimes experimental textures. This stylistic versatility allows for music that is both innovative and evocative.
Through her collaborations, Kathryn has shown a consistent interest in exploring varied instrumental combinations and cross-cultural influences, making her compositions resonate with a broad range of listeners. Her commitment to creative exploration is also reflected in the educational outreach and community engagement activities she undertakes alongside her husband Kim, aiming to foster a deeper appreciation for contemporary composition.
Gonzalo López Gallego
Creative Department
Gonzalo López-Gallego is an award-winning film and television director whose works include The Hollow Point(2016) starring Patrick Wilson, Ian McShane, and John Leguizamo, Backdraft 2 (2019) starring Donald Sutherland, Open Grave (2013) starring Sharlto Copley and Thomas Kretschmann, Apollo 18 (2011) produced by Timur Bekmambetov and Eric Schmidt, and American Star (2024) starring Ian McShane
Gonzalo has won the Malaga Film Festival Special Jury Award, and Eloy de La Iglesia award, as well as the Grand Prize for European Fantasy Film at the Amsterdam Fantastic film festival. He has also been nominated for best film at the Sitges international film festival and the Bogota film festival.
Ciaran Crowley
Creative Department - VFX
Ciaran Crowley is an experienced high end TV and film VFX and shoot supervisor, Ciaran joined Milk in 2018 to oversee the VFX creature shoot and build for Sky’s feature film Four Kids And It – based on Jacqueline Wilson’s modern-day take on E Nesbit’s classic novel Five Children And It – for which the Milk team created the protagonist CG sand fairy character, voiced by Michael Caine.
Ciaran was Milk’s VFX Supervisor on Netflix episodic fantasy-adventure Cursed overseeing the creation of a pack of stylised, ferocious wolves – for which he and the team were nominated for a 2021 BAFTA Television Craft Award. Ciaran recently completed work on Twentieth Century Studio’s hotly anticipated musical drama feature filmEveryone’s Talking About Jamie.
Prior to joining Milk, Ciaran ran his own VFX studio, Windmill Lane VFX in Dublin in 2010, to service key film and TV productions, including Jake Paltrow’s Young Ones for which he served as facility executive producer and VFX supervisor for Oscar nominated Brooklyn; the highly acclaimed Netflix feature film The Siege of Jadotville; Love Eternal; Rig 45; Sonja: The White Swan and twelve part TV series Titanic: Blood and Steel.
Ciaran spent almost ten years at Double Negative in London, where his credits include senior 2D supervision roles on major feature films Inception, The Dark Knight, Batman Begins, Iron Man 2, The Bourne Ultimatum and Cold Mountain.
Ciaran hails from Dublin, Ireland and graduated from DIT Dublin with First Class Honours in Design. Moving to London in 1997 he followed a design career working with clients including Jaguar, F1 and Stuart Ford. His fascination with film led him to a Post Graduate VFX course at NFTS. Ciaran is a member of VES and a founding member of IFTA (Irish Film and Television Academy).
Ryan Conlon
Financial Department
Ryan is a Chartered Tax Adviser with wide-ranging technical expertise including: Exit and succession planning, Business sales, acquisitions and re-organizations, Taxation of UK and non-UK resident trusts, to name a few.
He joined RPG Chartered Accountants in March 2024 and leads the tax team providing tax compliance and advisory services. He is a full member of the Chartered Institute of Taxation, Association of Tax Technicians and the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners.
Simons, Muirhead Burton
Legal Representatives
Simon, Muirhead & Burton is a leading firm advising the film and television industries, and recommended in the legal 500 Chambers UK. Founded in 1971 and based in London’s West End, they are recognized in the legal press and the wider industry as leaders across a range of practice areas. From their civil liberties and criminal roots in Soho to the full-service law firm that they are today, their empathy and tenacity have always set them apart.
They represent individuals and organizations – from people needing a trusted adviser to protect their rights and interests, to start-up businesses looking for professional guidance as they step up to the next level, to substantial businesses as they expand both in the UK and internationally. Simons Muirhead & Burton represent those with dynamic ideas, from technology companies raising funding to advising family offices and leading challenger banks. When they take on a matter, they’re all in. From inception to completion, they remain steadfast by their clients' side and fight hard for them.
Since they began, their values and principles have remained at the core of their firm, as has the Death Penalty Project, the charity they founded and continue to support. As well as seeking the best possible outcomes for clients, they ensure that they demonstrate their commitment to the values that matter to them. Those values impact all aspects of their business: from their lawyers and support staff to their clients, and all the relationships they build with the wider community.
