Base Studios Productions is an award-winning collaboration between producer Warren Evans and writer/director Ross Berkeley Simpson.
Ross trained as an actor at the ITV Workshop. He eventually helped to run the Workshop under the guidance of Colin edwards – and the workshop won the BAFTA for services to Children’s TV in this period. He later formed his own drama workshop for young people – First Act Workshops.
He has a raft of writing and directing credits in theatre, film and music projects. These include co-writing WARHEADS in 2019 (which earned 4 star reviews in The Stage, Daily Express and many other publications), directing Anthony Horowitz’s play A Handbag at the Royal and Derngate Theatre in Northampton, and picking up various awards for his short film pieces, including Details to Follow (winner of the North Carolina Film Festival, 3rd place at Sci-Fi London Film Festival 2018), That Phone Call (2nd place at the Sci-fi London Film Festival 2019), Student (winner of the Short Sparks Film Festival) and The Present (which won the BAFTA-accredited Bridport Film Festival and was described by festival judge Jonathon Coe as “an impressive achievement”).
Ross also had a major record deal with Polydor, toured with Ronan Keating and scored a No. #3 club hit.
Warren is a Successful businessman and founder of high quality multimedia studio complex, experienced filmmaker and driving force behind socially beneficial youth music, Arts Council, Big Lottery and educational projects.
Planning and attention to detail are at the heart of everything I do, whether it is the latest project at Base Studios or following my passion for traveling to the far-flung corners of the world.
I created Base Studios to provide an environment for creative arts to flourish in state-of-the-art surroundings where music and multi-media artists could work in modern studio facilities to make the most of their talents.
The vision, plus several hundred thousand pounds of investment, was rewarded with accolades including the national 2014 Rock the House award for best live music venue, which was presented at a gala event on the terrace of the House of Commons.
Film-making is a passion which has grown into a business at Base Studios where I have filmed and edited more than 100 music news video features featuring some of the biggest rock stars in the world.
I have also worked on production teams for a wide variety of commercial projects for clients ranging from small businesses to multi-national corporations.
At Base Studios I also ensure our experience and ultra-modern facilities bring a benefit to the community by working with The Arts Council Youth Music and National Lottery to provide music tuition and development for young people, including those from disadvantaged backgrounds.
Aside from the arts I have a passion for travel and am a fellow of the Royal Geographic Society. I have taken part in expeditions through Asia, South America and Russia.
I have also climbed Kilimanjaro, completed the Paris to Dakar motorcycle challenge and raised over£8,000 for charity cycling from Land’s End to John o Groats.
Among several projects they are currently pitching, Base Studios Productions are working on FABA – a sit com based around a failed ABBA tribute band. FABA stars The Fizzogs (also known as the internet sensation The Dancing Grannies with over 300m views).
‘Antique’ – their first drama project, is a sci-fi short film starring BBC Doctors star Laura Rollins (winner of the RTS award for Best Dramatic Performance 2019). Maia is trapped in a room by a mysterious captor. Only when the captor introduces another prisoner to her room does Maia discover a horrifying truth about why she is there.
‘Art: A Part of Society’ – Base Studios Productions spent some time filming renowned Russian artist Maria Rudd. Maria paints onto light boards and then has her work projected onto large buildings. Her paintings change and grow as music plays, making a fascinating evening’s entertainment. In this film, Maria talks us through her process and her thoughts on art itself.
West Midlands based writer Ross Berkeley Simpson has teamed up with Stourbridge based producer Warren Evans to create a series of horror movies filmed in the area under the name Base Studios Productions. Filming comes on the back of Ross’s successful work as a playwright.
This week his new play Heterophobia – a ‘flipped’ gay rights play, which tells the story of a woman arrested for being straight – is featured at the Turbine Theatre London as part of its LGBTQ Rally Fest, starring Downton Abbey’s Paul Copley and Dame Maureen Lipman. ‘I feel genuinely lucky to be working with such stellar actors,’ said Ross, ‘and it is thanks to both casting director Polly Jerrold and our tireless director Scott Le Crass that all this has happened’. Ross’s last play ‘Warheads’ – a co-write with actor Taz Skylar – was nominated for an Olivier Award in 2020. But it is film and television where he now sets his sights.
‘I’ve been working with Warren Evans at Base Studios for a few years now on small projects, but we’re finally ready to go up a few notches. We have been building a little army of horror feature scripts, so that we can hopefully develop a run of work that will keep us busy for a few years.’
Together as Base Studios Productions Warren and Ross have already produced multi award-winning short film ‘Antique’ starring Laura Rollins (Innocent ITV, Doctors BBC). They have also recently finished a Sitcom Pilot called FABA starring Fizzog Productions and Australian celebrity chef Lyndey Milan.
‘Obviously coronavirus really blocked our plans,’ said Warren, ‘but hopefully the vaccines will mean we can finally get back to work on our first full feature production’.
