David Lortal

BAFTA View is a VOD platform that showcases video content entered into the Awards. Previously a limited number of assets were available via BAFTA's Voting Website but with the onset of COVID-19 it has been possible for BAFTA to ensure all entered content is available online. The VOD platform brings together video content from a range of preferred VOD suppliers, including BAFTA's inhouse VOD Electron, and connects via API to BAFTA Nucleus, BAFTA Voting and CRM. This is a complex project where the site needs to be secure and ensure that entered metadata and user rights are issued correctly.

An online networking product designed to facilitate fully online and hybrid events at BAFTA’s HQ. VPE will supplement BAFTA's offering of commercial hires in the newly open state of the art conferencing space and members bar as well as support BAFTA's events team in reaching established and new audiences around the globe.

Two major new pieces of functionality for BAFTA Nucleus are launching in 2021. Instant Categories - admin users can now select a group of entries and instantly issue them to a group of judges to review. This has significantly reduced work for admin users. Media Library - a new way for all media assets to be stored within the system and to associate them with entries. This will reduce a pain point of video association and simplify the workflows for both entrants and admin users.

The Awards team approached with a problem - they needed to run a COVID safe event and also introduce additional security. Instead of upgrading their current system new workflows were introduced into the BAFTA Events system, including full invoicing, new ticket purchasing workflows, secure QR codes, new ticket design, online tickets and online check-in, a new security ticket scanning web app and an upgraded guestlist which collects more detailed guest information. This will be tested for the 2021 British Academy Television Awards and then rolled out for future events.

After the realisation that COVID-19 is here for a long period of time BAFTA is looking to develop a solution to deliver for a number of different business critical areas. With few realistic products on the market BAFTA Tech is prototyped a solution which enabled full HD live streaming of video content into Zoom Webinars and on VOD partners platforms, including Facebook and YouTube.

Launched a project to update the front end and administration design of Nucleus. Beginning with updating and aligning all the administration CSS style sheets, followed by a refresh of the front end design which will enable the admin users to control the design elements and logos. The underlying code was upgraded to PHP 7.4, UBUNTU and MYSQL 8. Currently the front end is in the design stages and a fully responsive reskinned site will be launched in Q3 2021.

The Royal Foundation selected Nucleus to administrate the application and judging processes of the high-profile prize. Entry to the prize is invitation only which resulted in a reconfiguring of Nucleus's workflows and the creation of new functionality. In 2021 Earthshot requested more bespoke functionality to support the transferring of the ownership of a form from the nominator to the nominee enabling the nominee to log into the platform and enter more data. A challenging workflow was put together which resulted in a new account created by the system and an invitation to claim the account sent to the nominee.

Managed the procurement process and build of FOCAL International’s new website. Researched and recommended suppliers and providers. Migrated existing membership database and processes to Zoho CRM, Zoho Books, Zoho Subscriptions, Zoho Forms and Zoho Flow using workflows and custom functions to automate processes. (https://focalint.org/)

In response to the onset of COVID-19 BAFTA required a reworking of their jury voting product and voting workflows to ensure that the BAFTA Awards could be delivered during the lockdown.

In 2020 BAFTA launched an enquiry into Diversity and Inclusion as a response to a lack of diversity in recent awards nominations. One of the key results of the report was that BAFTA had little understanding of the makeup of its membership. I managed a project to collect information about the membership, where the key challenge was the implementation of the security and encryption of this important and sensitive data.

To solve the awards deadline bottleneck of processing files that is caused by entrants submitting their entries at the end of the entry period BAFTA Tech introduced a new encoding technique. Parallel Transcoding uses AWS's Lambda servers to chuck video files into short segments and transcode in parallel. The product was so successful that it was immediately rolled out to all Nucleus customers.

COVID-19 introduced a number of challenges for BAFTA which the company was well placed to meet. The Awards management process required updating and BAFTA's programme of events moved online. Rapid rethinking of workflows and quick win development updates were implemented to support changes, while a wider strategy was developed. This resulted in managing the disruption to the core business and enabling BAFTA to continue serving its members and audiences during this unprecedented period.

Gathered requirements from stakeholders across four countries for a complex bespoke events ticketing system designed to facilitate BAFTA's events. From creating the initial backlog, managing the remote development team, and delivering an MVP and successful product launch. Replaced the core functionality of three separate systems and persuaded admin users to unify five different events' workflows. The system has unified BAFTA's approach to its event, moving from local to international and fully integrated into the BAFTA website. The success of this has been evident in responding to COVID-19 where events are now broadcast via video streaming and are available internationally as opposed to locally. At the time of system launch, the MVP was updated to incorporate the new requirements enabling these events to take place. A structured roll-out was necessitated as the existing systems were decommissioned. Users were provided with training, system setup assistance, and support in messaging their users. The result is an efficient, customizable system with a vast range of features that enables BAFTA to support its unique international membership and to react to rapidly changing scenarios.

Two-year project management of systematic relaunch of awards voting system, introducing new UX design, 2FA, live voting metrics and back-end code redevelopment.

Led on full technical and project rollout of restructuring core design and workflow processes of Nucleus to facilitate application management across five branches located in different time zones.

Devised new support work flow processes and standards supported by a new custom support ticketing system designed to respond to growing client base.

After positive feedback from users and their criticism of other awards systems, I reached out to two other awards bodies in the industry to talk about processes and share information. The meetings produced the desired results in generating interest in the system. I put together a proposal in consultation with the CTO, which I presented to the CEO. Two clients were successfully onboarded, leading to the development of a wider strategy for the commercialization of the system. It eventually became the centerpiece of the BAFTA Techs business plan. Today Nucleus can boast multiple customers and is still being adopted by new organisations.

Development of bespoke tablet voting system for juries on limited budget.

Devised ticketing system introducing new workflow and custom development of features to facilitate awards ticket sales resulting in increased revenue and faster payment.

Re-purposed Nucleus visually and worked to simplify processes for young children, along with their teachers, to enter into YGD initiative.

Execution of product transformation, including new workflows and development of custom features, to deliver initiative application system.

BAFTA Nucleus simplifies events management, grant, membership, and intuitive applications with secure, intuitive application forms, video integration, and automated online payments. Designed as an internal solution for complex awards management and judging processes, it is now used by the leading broadcasting and media awards across the UK and has become a central pillar of BAFTA’s operations. Engaging heavily with internal stakeholders and customers, I scoped system requirements and developed a fully developed MVP. Video integration was at the heart of the design as BAFTA’s main pain point was the successful delivery and secure playback of feature-length video assets. I oversaw the development utilizing remote developers and successfully launched a system that incorporated all the feedback and requirements. Providing ongoing support for the system, there is now a continual development cycle. After a successful launch, I executed product transformation, including new workflows and the development of features, to incorporate the system into other business areas, including ticketing for awards, membership applications, and initiative/bursary applications. This successful application enabled BAFTA to launch the product commercially