Producer Profile

Two Seas TV is a production company run by Helen Atty, an independent producer with more than 10 years experience in the UK, Middle East and Africa. After working on numerous TV commercials and music videos, Helen felt that she wanted to focus on narrative filmmaking with a particular focus on non-fiction.

After completing A-Levels in Cambridge, Helen read for an honours degree in The History of Art, Design and Film at the University of Middlesex in London. She graduated in 1996 and immediately left the UK for the excitement of the Middle East. Her first job in the film industry was as Art Department Coordinator at Film House in Bahrain. Run by South African Producer Tim Smythe, Film House was the in-house production company of the regional advertising agency Fortune Promo Seven and thus had the accounts for various international clients such as Nivea, L’Oreal, Coca-Cola, BMW, Landrover and Kuwait Airways. Over the next two years Helen was made responsible for all aspects of mis-en-scene including location scouting, props and costume sourcing, casting and set design. When Film House moved to Dubai in 1998 Helen relocated to Cape Town, South Africa to explore the rapidly growing film industry there.

It was a natural progression to move into production and Helen was soon working as a Production Coordinator on various projects from TV commercials to reality TV shows such as The Fear Factor. Over the years her experience grew and in 2001 she secured a permanent position at Webcast as Production Manager for a TV magazine series called Innertainment broadcast on SABC3 at 9pm on Friday evenings throughout 2001. Helen undertook most of the research as well as scheduling and planning of logistics for the 36 episodes completed in record time. At the same time she also handled production for a 13 episode series called Insights, a ‘spiritual’ travel guide to 13 cites around Europe and Africa. She also helped to produce a short events guide called Events TV which was broadcast on ETV three times a week.

Since 2003 Helen has worked as Production Manager on many varied and fascinating productions. In October 2003 she worked as Fixer for a BBC documentary on JM Coetze followed by another BBC documentary this time on biodiversity. In 2006 she Line Produced a short film promoting the World Cup in Germany. Recently Helen worked as Fixer for the South African episode of the BBC series Around The World in 80 Gardens, broadcast on BBC2 at 9m on Sunday evenings during 2008. Scroll down for a short clip...

In 2008 Helen also worked as Fixer on the documentary series Survival produced by Rockhopper TV for BBC World. This landmark documentary series made for BBC World News is the focus of one of the most thorough global health seasons undertaken by any broadcaster for international audiences. Watch the promo below or go to www.rockhopper.tv to see the full episode entitled 'The Deadly Combination'.

Filmmaking is an incredibly influential medium and the ubiquitous nature of information technology has made the planet an even smaller place with unlimited opportunities for collaboration, regardless of nationality or location. Two Seas TV is currently developing several documentary projects including a six episode series on Arabic Calligraphy to be shot in the Middle East, China and North Africa. The following is an excerpt from the script written by Helen Atty:

According to a great deal of modern philosophers and scientists from Albert Einstein to Fredericms.k Nietzsche, our world is defined by our perceptions of it, and understanding the ways in which we choose to describe those perceptions can help us to rise above our own subjective wonderings in order to achieve a more objective knowledge of the actualities of reality. This leads to profound observations concerning the nature of humanity and the connections between our common hopes and dreams.

Testimonials

^{"Helen's enthusiastic, friendly, can-do attitude is refreshing in this industry. She organised a BBC shoot for me and her work was superb down to the last minute detail."}

^{Katharine Arthy – Assistant Producer, BBC, London}

^{"SA was such a beautiful experience. Thank you for your hospitality, friendship and memories."}

^{Mauricio Vasquez – VP Production, HQ Productions, New York}

^{"Helen's passion for filmmaking, brilliant organisational skills and years of experience in the film industry are exceptional, but to me, it is her warmth and friendliness during production that makes all the difference."}

^{Kiko Hererra - Producer, Rainbow Circle Films, Cape Town, South Africa}