David Lortal

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.

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 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 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.

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.