Diversity is who we are.
Not just what we do.
Nurturing New Creatives
No grit, no pearl is how the phrase goes. You have to polish and nurture something for it to really shine. That’s our approach to changing the faces and future of creative talent.
Created by TV people, for TV people, Gritty Talent is a Bristol-based media-tech company, founded on the mission to connect the best creative talent, from all walks of life, with decision-makers in the industry.
Our talent team is made up of experienced production people who have cast, sourced and managed on and off-screen talent for decades. We work with channels, production heads, casting teams and emerging talent to understand their needs and objectives and connect the dots between the two.
Our inclusive, smart technology connects emerging and diverse talent with decision-makers in TV and Film, via a seamless digital service.
We believe in potential over perfection.
We are committed to seeking out and developing creative talent who aren’t fully reflected/included in the mainstream media. We recognise that growing media and production skills takes time, so we look for great potential over perfection in our talent.
As a production company or channel working with us, you are committing to working with new and diverse talent from less represented groups in society. They may not always be highly networked or knowledgeable in network production – however they will have excellent transferable skills and the drive, aspiration and agility to learn and grow with your company.
We ask that all our clients look at all prospective talent via the lens of potential: how can you support this person to develop and refine their creative skills, so they can step up and thrive?
The TV industry wants to be more diverse and representative of the audiences that it serves. Gritty Talent makes this happen.
The Gritty Team
Vicki Lines-Gibbs
Creative Director
Vicki has lived and worked in London, Bristol, Hampshire and on cruise ships sailing around the world.
Her media career started on City Hospital, a live show broadcast daily on BBC1. This led Vicki into a decade of producing topical studio programmes such as The One Show and This Morning.
Vicki has been privileged to work with some amazing people. Whether it’s a fisherman on Loch Neagh or a world famous comedian, she believes everyone should be treated with good humour, respect and kindness.
Every few years she travels abroad to make films for charities, although the recent arrival of her first baby will put pay to this for a while.
Vicki sings in an 80s band and thinks (and talks) about food far too much. She is very excited to be part of the Gritty team, making a real difference to the television industry.
Mel Rodrigues
Founder and CEO
Mel is a well respected media practitioner, with 20 years’ experience in factual TV production, talent nurturing and ED&I.
She recently completed six months as Creative Diversity Lead at Channel 4, working on the channel’s new commissioning diversity guidelines, Black to Front project and diverse-led indies fund.
Previous credits include leading the BBC Digital Cities initiative across the UK, training producers for the charity Media Action and making a large range of network formats in Cardiff, Bristol and London.
Mel was born and raised in the West Midlands, but has been an adopted Bristolian since 2010. In her spare time she’s a member of the Bristol University Law School Advisory Board, and sings regularly with a community choir called Break-out Voices.
Phoebe Sinclair
Managing Director
Phoebe joined Gritty Talent in 2020 after 15 years of making high end factual documentaries for the global market.
As a Production Manager she championed new and emerging talent in off-screen production roles. She is passionate about breaking down barriers into the TV industry both on and off screen and about promoting the role of technology to improve social, environmental and economic outcomes.
Phoebe has lived in Bristol for the last 10 years with her young family and enjoys Bristol’s food and music scene and having the countryside on her doorstep.
Thomasina Gibson
Research & Development Producer
Thomasina Gibson is a freelance producer, director, journalist and author with 30 years experience in Film and TV production.
Prior to joining Gritty Talent, she produced the content for the 40th Anniversary of Wildscreen in Bristol, an event hailed as one of its most successful in recent years.
Passionate about mentoring film-makers across the West she supports the British Film and Television industry globally via Pact’s Content Without Borders advisory board, the Women Over Fifty Film Festival board, BAFTA Cymru and BAFTA Children’s Award juries and through Women in Film and Television.
Charlotte Ball
Casting & Talent Producer
Charlotte is an experienced Producer with keen eye for spotting new talent; leaving no stone unturned when it comes to finding the right person to fit the brief.
Determined not to have to move to London to start a career in TV she began her career in Bristol and has since worked for many of the leading independent production companies in Bristol and Wales. Charlotte has worked across a range of food, factual, history and entertainment programming for all the major UK broadcasters.
Charlotte is excited to be part of the Talent Team and can't wait to find some previously underrepresented pearls!
Nina Kitajewski
Talent Producer
Another Midlander on the team, Nina is from Wolverhampton but has split her working career between London, Bristol and Birmingham.
Over fifteen years in the industry has seen Nina work on a wide range of Factual Entertainment ranging from technology, current affairs, travel, military and culinary programming. Already having encountered an amazing and diverse range of contributors she is keen to help the Gritty team push the industry to the next level.
A passion for action and adventure has given Nina the ethos that with a little grit and determination anything may be possible, a trait she is keen to help others in the industry realise within themselves.
Remi Brand
Marketing Manager
A marketer by day and an enamoured music producer and guitarist by night, Remi’s passion for creativity and expression drives every move in his mission to find the perfect message for any and every audience.
It’s Remi’s fascination with human connection that first attracted him to the world of marketing - a world he’s now professionally inhabited for almost two years after graduating from university with a BA degree in Journalism.
Born in Freiburg, Germany, and raised in Woking, Surrey, Remi’s mixed German/Jamaican heritage has given him an extraordinary appreciation for culture of all forms.
Having previously worked in the social media and fintech industries, he’s excited to use his knowledge and experience to help individuals on their professional journeys.
Regina Balachanthiran
Talent & Technology Co-ordinator
Regina is a French-born second generation Sri-Lankan with a passion for music and the technology that enables it. With a background in South Indian classical music and years of experience in traditional Indian performances, she has developed a firm resolve for increasing the cultural and gender diversity present in music technology.
Regina studied Game Audio and Audio Innovation at an academic level, and is currently developing applications and technology that enable the expression of alternative musical cultures through modern digital audio systems.
Through her work at Gritty Talent, she aspires to raise awareness and diversity within popular media regarding the creative elements of other cultures. She supports the team with technical expertise including running our online events, managing and improving our operational technical solutions.