Who makes
the films?
Who makes
the films?
Core staff
Penny Beeston
Managing Director
Penny's journey to Beeston Media began with a Human Sciences degree from Oxford and a love for specialist factual TV nurtured at the BBC. Her experience spans continents and genres, from filming in Africa and Indonesia to producing for Discovery Channel and National Geographic.
Now, she guides Beeston Media's strategic direction, with a passion for showcasing innovative science, tech, and research through compelling video content. She works closely with clients to develop impactful communications strategies, believing in the power of video to tell engaging stories, whether for internal or external audiences.
Penny is equally passionate about honing video production processes, including embracing new technologies, and nurturing staff and workplace culture to promote both commercial and social value. Her love for lifelong learning extends beyond the screen to camper van travels and cryptic crosswords.
Hamish Beeston
Creative Director
With a background producing primetime factual television for renowned broadcasters like the BBC, National Geographic, and Discovery Channel, Hamish brings a wealth of experience to every project. He's not just a Producer, though – his passion for visual storytelling led him to master directing, camerawork, and stills photography, earning him multiple awards along the way.
Today, as well as client liaison and heading up Beeston Media's creative team, Hamish is a versatile editor with a keen eye for detail, ensuring all projects meet the highest technical standards. With years of editorial expertise, he distils even the most complex briefs into powerful story arcs, knowing just the right questions to ask. He's also dedicated to nurturing the next generation of filmmakers, mentoring students and training junior team members.
Outside of work, you'll find him exploring the outdoors on a run or meticulously shaping his topiary creations.
Dr Kim Bartholomew
Producer / Director
Kim completed a PhD in Meteorology at the University of Reading before moving to the BBC Science Unit in London, where she began a career producing science and wildlife documentaries.
Working out of London and later Bristol, she has tackled the very big (astrophysics, climate change) and the very small (genetics, entomology) for major broadcasters including the BBC, National Geographic, Disney, PBS, Apple, and Discovery.
As our main producer and interviewer, Kim works with our expert clients to find the best version of their stories. She understands that the beating heart of any story is character - she loves putting contributors at ease and helping them to find their best in front of the camera.
Outside of work, Kim is a proud cat lady and mediocre trail runner.
Dion Owen
Director Cameraman / Technical Lead
Dion is a skilled camera operator and drone pilot who brings a wealth of technical expertise and creative vision to Beeston Media. Since joining us in 2018 after graduating from UWE's TV and Journalism program, he has become an essential member of our team, capturing stunning visuals for a wide range of projects.
In addition to his core responsibilities, Dion enjoys taking the lead on his own creative projects within Beeston Media. He has a proven track record of collaborating with diverse clients, including universities, tech companies, and artists such as Hazard One for public engagement projects.
Dion's passion for visual media extends beyond his work at Beeston Media. He is an avid director of music videos and enjoys exploring the art of stills photography.
Jake Christian
Editor / Post-Production Lead
From the world of sports broadcasting to historical documentaries and viral YouTube content, Jake has a proven track record of delivering exceptional video content. He's worked with major names in professional wrestling and boxing, filmed international events, and collaborated with renowned broadcasters like The History Channel and PBS.
At Beeston Media, Jake leads post-production, bringing his sharp editing skills and motion graphics expertise to every project. He's our resident tech guru, always finding innovative solutions to any production challenge. He also keeps a hand in as an all round videographer, adding to our capacity on multi-camera shoots.
Beyond the edit suite, Jake enjoys expressing his creativity through writing, poetry, and the immersive world of multiplayer gaming.
Nicky Burn
Operations Manager
Nicky is a highly organised and detail-oriented Operations Manager, bringing a wealth of experience from the creative and property industries to Beeston Media. She expertly manages our internal processes, ensuring everything runs smoothly behind the scenes, from finance and HR to our ongoing growth strategy.
Nicky is also instrumental in guiding Beeston Media towards B Corp certification, reflecting our commitment to social and environmental responsibility. Her background in production coordination and project management, coupled with a keen eye for detail and a graphics degree, makes her an invaluable asset to the team.
Outside of work, Nicky enjoys an active lifestyle with her two teenage sons, playing netball and spending time walking and gardening.
Joe Astill
Videographer
Joe graduated with a first-class degree in Film and Television from the University of Bristol in 2023. His final film project was shortlisted for a prestigious BFI award. Originally Hamish's mentee, his strong work ethic and intelligent approach really impressed us and he quickly become a key team member.
Joe is a skilled videographer with a passion for visual storytelling. He excels in all aspects of production, from cinematography and lighting to editing and post-production. Joe embraces innovation and is always eager to explore new technologies, including AI tools, to enhance his work.
Growing up on a family farm has made him truly resourceful. He's happy to tackle any challenge, from building sets to fixing equipment (and he has a forklift license, just in case!).
Nick O'Leary
Junior Editor
Nick's journey with us began with a post-production internship following his film studies at Falmouth University. His natural talent and collaborative spirit were evident from the start, and he quickly became an valued member of the team.
Nick fearlessly tackles any challenge, from robot animations to sound design and excels at crafting engaging social media content and behind-the-scenes videos that truly capture the spirit of co-production with our clients. He also supports Jake to streamline post-production for project delivery.
Outside of work, Nick pursues his passion for documentary filmmaking, photography, and motorsport.
Regular freelancers
Dr Kelly Neaves
Business Development Producer
A science communicator through and through, Kelly has both an MSc in Biological Photography and Imaging from University of Nottingham and a PhD in Molecular Biology and 3D imaging from University of Cambridge.
After academia she has worked variously in broadcast television and the commercial communications worlds, always within science and technology topics.
Her broadcast credits as producer / director include award winning series for BBC, National Geographic, Channel 4 and Discovery.
In the commercial sector, she has broad experience in business development and strategy for a tech company that specialises in data science, AI and technology.
Tom Stratford
Animator and Designer
With animation a growing part of our output, we've developed some great connections with freelance animators, including Tom, who has the advantage of also working in Hamilton House.
Tom studied at the National Centre for Computer Animation, graduating with a first class honours degree.
From there he spent five years in the video games industry, creating 3D artwork for blockbuster games such as Dirt 2 and Crysis 3.
Turning freelance in 2014, Tom's clients include Aardman Animations, Marvel Studios and now Beeston Media!
Our Community
We’re based at Hamilton House in Stokes Croft, Bristol’s creative quarter, right next to some of the city’s most famous street art.
We share the building with an incredible range of creatives including radio stations, music producers, vocal coaches, artists, web professionals, illustrators and festival producers.
Stokes Croft is also known for fantastic cafes and restaurants including The Canteen directly below us.
Come and say hello!