Element Pictures hires Aird
October 12, 2022
International production company Element Pictures (a Fremantle company) the producer behind hit series Normal People, Conversations with Friends, and Oscar-winning films The Favourite and Room, has expanded their creative team with the appointment of Christopher Aird as Creative Director.
Aird was appointed to the role by Element Pictures’ Founders and Co-CEOs Ed Guiney and Andrew Lowe. He starts in the role in January 2023 and will be based at Element’s London office.
Aird joins the team from Two Brothers Pictures, where for the last five years he served as Head of Drama, executive producing multiple hit drama series including the Jamie Dornan fronted The Tourist for BBC One, HBO Max and Stan, two series of Baptiste for BBC One, Liar, Angela Black and Cheat for ITV, and The Widow for Amazon and ITV. He is currently executive producing Jack & Harry Williams’ new television thriller for BBC One, which will be announced later this year. Previously Aird served as Commissioning Editor for BBC Drama and Creative Head of Drama for BBC Production in England and Scotland, following his work as a Producer for Carnival Films and Kudos.
In the newly created role of Creative Director, Aird will work alongside Ed Guiney managing Element’s busy development and production slate across television and film for the UK, US, and international market, and will also manage the editorial team whilst continuing his own work as an Executive Producer on selected projects.
Aird said: “It’s difficult to leave Two Brothers as I’ve loved working there but the opportunity to be Creative Director at one of the most exciting scripted production companies in Europe is too good to pass up. Everything Element have made from The Lobster to Room to Normal People and Conversations With Friends shows such commitment to realising writers’ and directors’ vision. I’m looking forward to working with Ed, Andrew and the team.’
Guiney and Lowe added: “Chris is an extraordinary producer and shares our DNA with his keen eye for quality and detail. We couldn’t be more delighted to have him join the team during such an exciting time for Element, as we continue to expand and build our slate going forward.”
The new hire marks a continued expansion for Element, following the news earlier this year that Fremantle took a majority stake in the international producer. Based in Dublin, Belfast and London, Element’s award-winning film and television slate includes The Favourite, which won seven BAFTAs and the Best Actress Academy Award for Olivia Colman’s portrayal of Queen Anne, having received 10 nominations. Previously, Room won the Best Actress Academy Award for Brie Larson, having been nominated in four categories, and The Lobster gained an Academy Award nomination for Original Screenplay. The company’s growing television arm produced the Emmy and BAFTA-nominated Normal People, for which lead actor Paul Mescal won a BAFTA, and Conversations with Friends, both adaptions of Sally Rooney’s global smash-hit novels. Element’s recent releases include Joanna Hogg’s The Eternal Daughter, which enjoyed its European premiere at Venice Film Festival, Sebastián Lelio’s The Wonder, which had its first North American screening at Telluride Film Festival, and Stephen William’s Chevalier, which premiered in North America at Toronto Film Festival.
Element is currently in post-production on Shane Meadow’s period drama The Gallows Pole for BBC, and are gearing up to launch Yorgos Lanthimos’ Poor Things, starring Emma Stone, next year. Element’s and Yorgos Lanthimos’ next film with Emma Stone and Willem Dafoe, And, has just been announced, with shooting to commence later this year.