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Dan Lawson
Chief Operating Officer
- Location: London
- Career stage: Expert
As Chief Operating Officer, I oversee the successful running of the London Film School. LFS is the UK's oldest film school and trains filmmakers, screenwriters, and executives in all aspects of the film industry.
As Head of LFS OPEN, I oversaw the London Film School's successful workshops and short courses programme, ensuring they continue to offer high quality, industry-relevant professional training, as well as overseeing new schools and community outreach programmes and looking after the School's wide range of international projects.
Previously I have run multimillion-pound film and TV investment funds supporting both production and development, garnering BAFTAs, Golden Globes and many more awards. I helped to develop a raft of new British filmmaking talent including commissioning more than 50 short films with the UK Film Council/BFI and working with the best up and coming writing, directing and producing stars.
I have also delivered major creative industries projects including Film Nation: Shorts, the official, UK-wide young people’s filmmaking competition of the London 2012 Olympic & Paralympic Games. During nearly three years at Creative Skillset, I ensured professionals and businesses in film, television, animation, VFX and games had access to the best training in the UK. I still advise creative content funds on prospective investments, and am a trustee of Flatpack Film Festival.
Coronavirus basic awareness on production training
ScreenSkills
7 Dec 2020 - 7 Jun 2021
Coronavirus basic awareness on production training
ScreenSkills
1 Jul 2020 - 1 Jan 2021
Work History
Chief Operating Officer - London Film School
Jul 2017 - Present
Head of LFS OPEN - London Film School
Feb 2016 - Present
Independent Digital Media Professional - Self-employed
Sep 2011 - Present
Partnership Manager - Creative Skillset
Jul 2013 - Feb 2016
Executive Producer and Fund Manager (Consultant) - Creative England
Oct 2011 - Jul 2012
Head of Production, Development & Inward Investment - Screen WM
Sep 2008 - Sep 2011
Production & Development Executive - Screen WM
Jan 2006 - Sep 2008
New Talent Manager - Screen WM
2005 - 2006
Production Assistant - Screen WM
Mar 2004 - Jan 2005
Production Assistant - Maverick Television
Jan 2003 - Apr 2003
Education
History, Film & Television - M.Phil(B) - The University of Birmingham
2002 - 2004
American Studies & Media Studies - BA Hons - De Montfort University
1999 - 2002
Skills
- creative and media environments
- development
- production & distribution Corporate strategy within digital
- Business development
- Business planning/strategy
- Business skills/running a business
- Commercial awareness
- Compliance and legal
- Development - film & television Finance - film & television Project Management Creative content investment
- Digital content skills
- Editing
- Entrepreneurial skills
- Finance and budgeting
- Management and leadership
- Negotiation skills
- Networking
- Organisational skills
- Pitching/presenting and proposal writing
- Programming
- Project management
- Sales and marketing