Meet The Team!
Over the course of YSP Media’s existence we have been fortunate enough to have great assistance from many individuals of all ages and backgrounds. The main team behind many of the films we have made have all given much of their time and dedication to producing the best results possible. The below individuals currently work with YSP Media full time and contribute to its regular output.
- Christopher Bevan – Founder, Director, Producer & Writer
Christopher Bevan currently studies Film & Video Production in 3rd year at the University Of Derby and is a director on the National Youth Film Academy Easter course 2012.
He along with Alexander Burley and Hadleigh Roberts established YSP Media in 2005 which commenced with the first film ‘The Final Ride’. Since then he has overseen all of YSP Media’s output and acted as director, writer and editor as well as working in front of the camera. Most notably he has spearheaded the CJ Simmons series, the highlights of which include the feature college-made film Elite Mercenary which premiered to an audience of 150+ and the creation of the 9 part online series Dissolution.
Since arriving in Derby, Christopher has worked on a large number of short films ranging from film noir short Coercion through to 16mm film This Way Up. He has been involved in many 24 hour and 48 hour film challenges whilst most recently turning his hand to promotional films and music videos for local bands and companies. His most recent output includes producing short film ‘Gibberish’ from writer Benjamin Hodge and director Felix Harber as well as a charity documentary screened to 200 people at a breast cancer awareness fashion show. Upcoming projects include Home Invasion, set during the London riots and a music video for singer-songwriter Charlotte Carpenter.
Christopher has starred as the eponymous character in the CJ Simmons series and has appeared in nearly all YSP Media films. His favourite films include Chinatown, Blade Runner, Star Wars, The Good The Bad The Ugly and most recently Inception. In terms of filmmakers, he is most inspired by works from directors including Christopher Nolan, Ridley Scott, David Fincher, Clint Eastwood, George Lucas, James Cameron and many more.
Affiliated Filmmakers
- Karl Poyzer - Director of Photography, Camera Operator, Editor
Karl Poyzer is a freelance filmmaker and photographer based in the East Midlands specialising in DSLR filmmaking and photography. With experience in short films, music videos and corporate videos, Karl has regularly collaborated with YSP Media since 2009 and brings a great understanding of capturing the mood of the situations he is involved with. Currently studying Film & Video Production at the University of Derby in 3rd year, he is also a adept editor and writer and is heavily involved in the creative side of projects through all stages of production. Karl has recently worked in data transfer in the camera department on the feature films UFO and Ward 8 from director Dominic Burns.
YSP Media Alumni
There have been many key member of the YSP team since 2005 and below you can find information on each of those individuals who have moved on from regular filmmaking with the production company.
- Hadleigh Roberts
Hadleigh Roberts is currently studying Interpreting and Translating MA and is a graduate of Modern Languages and European Studies (French & Spanish) at the University of Bath, UK.
For two years (2007-2009) he was President of the University of Bath Labour Club, and is still the Online and Student Officer of the Bath Constituency Labour Party.
He has previously worked for the Parti Socialiste de la Fédération des Alpes Maritimes in Nice, France which includes the Conseil Regional PACA (Provence-Alpes-Cote D’Azur) and the Groupe Changer D’ère in Conseil Municipal of Nice.
He is a member of the Fabian Society, occasionally writing for LabourList, Student Impact and the Bath Chronicle, as well as giving speeches to the Wessex Christian Socialist Movement and Europe International.
Hadleigh has been involved in nearly all projects, in front of and behind the camera. Most notably he has starred in the recurring role of Charles Jenkins in the longstanding CJ Simmons series and is also a founding member of YSP Media.
- Alexander Burley
Alexander Burley is a graduate student of History from the University Of Lancaster and is one of the founding members of YSP Media. He is currently participating in a Masters course at the University of Sheffield.
He has been heavily involved with many projects, acting as cameraman and as the key character of the villainous Alfonse Estage in Elite Mercenary. In 2006 he collaborated with Chris Bevan on a short film entitled ‘Benton & Stokes’ in his home county of Derbyshire and has continued to assist on recent work such as the final chapter of the Dissolution series.
As well as his recent studies, he is also active in fencing, mountain biking and sailing. His favourite films include works from such greats as Alfred Hitchcock, Jean Luc Godard & Francois Truffaut.
- Jonathan Bevan
A fourth year medical student at the University Of Manchester, Jonathan has been intricately involved in the development of YSP Media due to his longstanding presence in the CJ Simmons film series. As Christopher’s brother, he helped oversee the production of Elite Mercenary whilst playing the key role of arms dealer Richard Burbank within the film. A year before this Jonathan played a minor character in the first major Simmons adventure ‘Bomb Voyage’ which cemented his position as a key confidante and worthy advisor; his selection of the soundtrack for Elite Mercenary was one of the many highlights.
Returning to the series in Dissolution, Jonathan brought an excellent performance to the screen and valuable advice to the editing room as well as putting together the opening theme of the series. Aside from studying medicine, he has hosted late night radio shows ‘Gruvi’ and ‘Earthbound’ on Manchester student radio station Fuse FM.
- Miles Howitt
A graduate of Film & Video at the University Of Glamorgan in Cardiff, Miles has been affiliated with YSP Media from very early on. As a young child, he always appeared to have the ambition to be involved in the film industry when creating elaborate home videos and becoming a part of the media community at Ellesmere College was the next logical step.
Collaborating with Christopher and Jonathan Bevan time and time again, he quickly proved himself as an adept director, writer, editor and special effects creator with his work on the CJ Simmons series from the early ambitious efforts of Bomb Voyage through to the serious, sinister and more high stakes series Dissolution. Not only working behind the scenes on these, Miles starred in all three CJ Simmons films in varying roles until finally joining the main cast of Dissolution as the conflicted and dangerous Peter Moseley.
Since heading to university, Miles has continued to demonstrate his craft with notable works including action/thriller Stranger, drama Sub Rosa and thriller Purge. Operating primarily as a one man crew, he wields tremendous skill at putting these films together in all stages of production and with the level of talent in his latest project, he is certainly a filmmaker to keep an eye. YSP Media is proud to have been able to work with him for such a long period of time and hope to do so again in the future.
