David Lortal

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.

BAFTA Nucleus revolutionizes awards management with secure, intuitive application forms, seamless video integration, and automated online payments. Initially designed as an internal solution for BAFTA's complex awards and judging processes, Nucleus has become a central pillar of BAFTA's operations and is now utilized by leading broadcasting and media awards across the UK.

I spearheaded the project by engaging extensively with internal stakeholders and customers to scope system requirements and develop a robust MVP. Key features included dynamic entry forms, flexible payment structures, and a streamlined video workflow that addressed BAFTA's critical need for secure and efficient video asset management.

Overseeing the development with remote teams, I ensured that the system met all feedback and requirements. Post-launch, I led the product transformation to incorporate Nucleus into other BAFTA business areas, such as ticketing, membership applications, and bursary initiatives. The ongoing support and continuous development cycle I established have solidified Nucleus's role within BAFTA and facilitated its commercial success.

I spearheaded the redesign and development of FOCAL International's website and membership management system to improve user experience and operational efficiency. This project involved creating a new, responsive website with enhanced navigation and content discovery features and developing a custom membership management platform to automate registrations, renewals, and payments processes. I also integrated external systems for payment processing and CRM, improving workflows and reducing manual tasks. The new platform resulted in higher member satisfaction and increased content engagement, positioning FOCAL International as a footage and content industry leader.

The Jury project involved creating a fully digital jury voting system to support BAFTA's remote and in-person jury workflows. I led the design and development of a secure, cloud-based solution integrated within BAFTA's Nucleus platform. My responsibilities included stakeholder consultations, defining new requirements, overseeing the transition from PGP to Libsodium encryption for enhanced security, and ensuring seamless API integration with existing systems. The project improved the user experience for both jurors and administrators, streamlined workflows, and enhanced real-time voting capabilities, setting a new standard for BAFTA's award management processes.

BAFTA View is a sophisticated VOD (video on demand) platform designed to provide BAFTA members with secure and convenient access to film entries for the BAFTA Awards. In 2021, I spearheaded the development of a new web app to address member feedback and improve the overall user experience. This involved creating an intuitive interface, ensuring seamless integration with existing BAFTA systems, and incorporating robust security measures. The platform was expanded in 2022 to support Games, Television, and Television Craft Awards. Key achievements included the implementation of responsive design for cross-device compatibility, comprehensive data access for enhanced content discovery, and tools to assist members in the judging process. The project was delivered on a limited budget and tight timeframe and received positive feedback from BAFTA members for its usability and design.

The Nucleus redesign project aimed to transform BAFTA's awards management system for entrants and judges.

As the product manager, I led the initiative to modernize the Entrant and Viewer interfaces, introducing a fully responsive and accessible design. The project involved extensive user research, iterative design processes with RF Media, and rigorous testing to ensure seamless integration and functionality. The redesign allowed admins to customize logos and colors through an admin interface, reducing the need for development intervention. The new system significantly improved user engagement and satisfaction, reduced administrative overhead, and facilitated the introduction of new features in 2023 and 2024.

I spearheaded the complete redesign of the BAFTA Events platform, aimed at streamlining ticket sales for BAFTA's extensive events program. The project involved creating a versatile, accessible system that supports online events, bespoke awards, ticket sales, and fundraising activities. By collaborating with stakeholders and Alchemy Digital, I ensured the new design met all requirements, focusing on flexibility for white-labeling and improving user engagement. The implementation process included detailed reviews, component development, extensive testing, and rigorous validation to ensure a seamless and responsive platform. Two beta clients have signed up since its launch in March 2024, demonstrating the platform's solid commercial potential.

The BAFTA Events Platform manages ticket sales, online events, awards, and fundraising activities for the British Academy of Film and Television Arts. I led the development of a custom invoicing solution that streamlined the payment process and improved user experience. This involved designing and implementing new features to automate invoicing, creating dynamic alerts for outstanding payments, and optimizing the platform's interface to support complex event workflows. The solution reduced administrative overhead, improved payment efficiency, and contributed to the platform's scalability and commercialization potential.

I managed the development of a bespoke solution using the Nucleus platform to transform the BFI's tax relief certification process. The project aimed to replace the legacy system with a modern, automated platform that could handle complex workflows for various media sectors, including film, television, games, and animation. My role involved engaging with stakeholders to gather requirements, designing custom features, and implementing a user-centric interface to improve efficiency and reduce administrative workload. The platform enabled dynamic application forms, automated workflow management, secure data handling, and enhanced reporting, significantly improving the user experience for applicants and BFI administrators alike.

Nucleus is BAFTA's awards and application management system, used by administrators to manage entries, voting, and reporting. I led the Nucleus Admin Interface Redesign, mirroring the successful approach taken with the BAFTA Events redesign.

The key focus was enhancing the reporting section to provide clearer data insights, enabling better decision-making for BAFTA and external clients. I introduced Chart.js for dynamic data visualization, transforming raw data into interactive, real-time graphs and analytics dashboards.

To streamline workflows, I worked with UX designers and developers to improve navigation, data accessibility, and custom report generation. Future iterations will expand reporting capabilities, integrating more metrics to support long-term system scalability.