Billy Abbott

Background

About Billy Abbott

An affable, ambitious filmmaker-manager who prides himself on proactive problem-solving and project management with a warm, personable and approachable attitude. 10 years of experience in film education, possessing an innate strong work ethic and noteworthy achievements across practical film education in the UK affiliated with top-level industry and institutions. Billy established the Level 4 programme at London Screen Academy, a free one-year alternative to University; overseeing its growth from 25 to over 100 students in the space of 2 academic years. London Screen Academy achieved OFSTED Outstanding in May 2023, with Level 4 praised for its innovative approach to film education and curriculum design. As part of his role as Head of Department for Level 4 at LSA, and with close support from Working Title, Billy is the Executive Producer for 'Showpiece' short films produced by Level 4 Film Production students. This places 18-19 year-olds at the deep end of high-stakes, commercially driven films that emulate the film industry to best prepare learners for progression into the creative space. Billy is currently the lead for London Screen Academy on the NBCU Creative Impact Lab; which pairs a non-profit Creative Agency with a non-profit Client to create learning opportunities for Creative Enterprise students at LSA. Debuting in the UK in 2023, the initial offer saw Level 4 students creating assets for The Prince's Trust in a purpose-driven brief reflecting the client's wide-ranging offer to young people. In 2022 Billy managed the BSC x LSA workshops with the British Society of Cinematographers and Digital Orchard Foundation, providing unseen levels of practical Camera, Lighting, Grip, and DIT education to 82 participants from across the UK. These workshops prioritised those from underrepresented backgrounds (UEG, socioeconomic background, disability). As a freelance Cinematographer Billy's work has been shown at film festivals worldwide, with recent successes including South Facing (BFI Film Festival 2023) with COOC Productions.