Ravensbourne graduate’s film nominated for BAFTA

A documentary edited by a Ravensbourne BA (Hons) Editing and Post Production graduate is in the running to win a BAFTA, while two other documentaries edited by Ravensbourne graduates were longlisted in the 2022 awards.

Tim Beeston, who graduated in 2014, was the editor for ‘Keyboard Fantasies’, one of five films nominated in the ‘Outstanding Debut by a British Writer, Director or Producer’ category. A winner will be announced at the BAFTA awards ceremony on Sunday 13 March 2022.

Two films edited by our Editing and Post Production graduates were also among 15 films longlisted in the BAFTA’s ‘Documentary’ category. These were Netflix's ‘14 Peaks: Nothing is Impossible’, edited by Ian Grech, and ‘The Real Charlie Chaplin’, edited by Julian Quantrill.

‘Keyboard Fantasies’ is part biopic, part tour documentary, and explores the philosophies and story of inspirational transgender musician Glenn Copeland.

In 1986, when he was known as Beverly Glenn-Copeland, he recorded and released a seven-track cassette tape called ‘Keyboard Fantasies’, featuring a unique blend of folk and electronica music.

Through a twist of fate, his music attracted a cult following three decades later, and Glenn, now 74, started to receive emails from new fans from across the world – most of whom were two generations younger than him.

The film was edited by Tim, directed by Posy Dixon, and produced by Liv Proctor.

“So far, this is my proudest achievement,” Tim told us. “'Keyboard Fantasies' is an incredibly personal film to me that became a passion project, with many sleepless nights and coffee-enhanced weekends to get it over the finish line.

“I never took a moment to consider where the film could end up whilst I was cutting it – so now that it’s been in cinemas and has won multiple awards, I can’t quite believe it. Going to the BAFTAs will be an incredible way to celebrate a beautiful film.

“In my opinion, feature length documentaries are the most intimidating projects to edit. With no script or storyboard, you are taking vast amounts of media and weaving a coherent narrative that keeps the audience engaged for a long period of time.

“There needs to be a close relationship between the director and the editor in order for the film to sing, and on this project, Posy and I spent hundreds of hours together re-cutting and re-cutting and re-cutting.

“It’s a long and complicated process that has resulted in something we are both incredibly proud of.”

Tim has also recently finished work on feature documentary called 'Medicine Man: The Stan Brock Story’, which tells the incredible life story of a British-born Amazonian cowboy and former US TV star.

He added: “I can honestly say a week doesn’t go by where the course I did at Ravensbourne doesn’t impact my career. From technical understanding to storytelling, it set me off on the right track from day one and I don’t think I would be where I am now without the knowledge that [my lecturers] Caroline, Greg and Richard gave me.”

You can find out more about Tim’s work on his website at tim-beeston.com