COMPANY PROFILE:
- Founded in 2003
In 2008 Isabelle and Liesbeth
owned a restaurant by the source of the river Nile
(no movie theme!). Liesbeth and
Isabelle have had to return to Europe where
Liesbeth will reappear in the world of Media. Stay
tuned!
The
Blue Whale Production Team:
- Isabelle Alenus-Crosby (Creative
Director)
Isabelle was born in Africa but went
to university in the UK.
She obtained a BA (Hons) in communication from Liverpool University
and the University of Nice (France).
Her thesis was a sitcom called Fred for which she received First Class
Honours. This comprised of a comprehensive idea for the show + 1 half-hour
episode. Isabelle also obtained a Postgrad in Ecology
from Durham University
and studied whales in Scotland
(hence the name of the production company).
- Liesbeth Beeckman (Producer)
Liesbeth is Belgian, and obtained a Distinction at the University of Leuven, where
she studied English.
She moved to the UK
in 1995.
Liesbeth’s first project as a producer was the
short film I Want You, which blue whale productions is distributing through
Shorts International. She started her production career on the Royal College of
Art graduation film La Mère
Sauvage and continued with the high profile short
Ghosthunter starring Frank Finlay. This short story brought together the experience of
some of the greatest names in cinema with up-and-coming new talent. Freddie
Francis B.S.C. Consultant Cinematographer; Peter Lamont, Consultant Production
Designer. Ghosthunter was shortlisted
for the Best Short Film award in the 2001 Academy Awards. Liesbeth
also gained extensive experience in documentary, entertainment and current
affairs programmes for BBC, ITV, Discovery Channel and Al Jazeera
International.
- Steven Fessler (Marketing)
Steve was born in Torrance,
California and graduated from
UCLA with majors in Political Science and European Studies. After
graduating he attended the Technical University of Dresden, Germany
on a Fulbright Scholarship and then worked in banking in both Los Angeles and London,
specializing in international cash management. Steve has since left his
corporate roots behind to pursue a career in the idyllic world of blue
whale productions as Marketing Director.
- Victoria Friend (Press)
Viki was born in London,
and graduated in 1993 with an Msc in Medieval History
from Durham University. She then spent the rest of
that decade working sporadically in and around the City to fund her travels
across North America, Australasia and Africa
before returning home to put down some roots. She wrote a book entitled Travels
in Fred after spending most of 1996 on the road with Isabelle Alenus, a trip that took them from Alaska
to Key West.
After a brief career in Finance, she now owns and runs in B&B in Derbyshire
(www.oldstationhousebandb.org.uk) Viki co-produced Déjà
Vu (Hera’s Odyssey) as part of
FAB-FILM (Friend/Alenus/Beeckman).
- Kimberly Lewis (Public Relations)
Kimberly, international woman of mystery, was born in Virginia (USA). She
studied French and English Literature, Sociology, and Psychology at VPI and SU,
and obtained a Master's degree in French Literature from Middlebury
College in Vermont. As part of her Undergraduate and
Graduate studies, she also studied in Paris and Rennes (France) for 2
years. After completion of her studies, Kimberly lived briefly in New York where she met
Isabelle Alenus and Liesbeth
Beeckman. After her job was transferred to London, she ended up
joining the blue whale team as the PR officer. For as long as she can
remember, people have insisted that she should be an actress. Having finally
taken the hint, she played the lead in Déjà Vu (Hera’s
Odyssey) under the screen name Kimberly Dean. She has since received rave
reviews.
