OUR back-story

Calling the Shots emerged in the late 90s with a distinctive approach to talent development and production.

Tapping the skills of Jeremy Routledge’s experience of the emerging digital film technology and grassroots stories gained from work for the BBC and ITV, and fellow founder Steve Gear’s experience of community film making in Ghana and Bristol, Calling the Shots established an extensive network of new talent from all backgrounds, partnering with BBC3, the BFI and Channel 4 to develop the talent through broadcast production programmes like Bollywood Shorts, the BBC Film-Makers Award, Channel 4’s Random Acts and BBC New Creatives.

Our films have been on BBC channels and iPlayer, Channel 4, ITV, extensively online and have appeared theatrically in many BAFTA qualifying festivals such as Aesthetica, the London Short Film Festival, Austin Comedy Film Festival, Encounters and more. 

Seeking out future storytellers in TV and film.

CTS is a Bristol-based production company led by CEO Jeremy Routledge. The company was established in 1998 and develops, nurtures, and produces projects by emerging writers and creatives. Recent commissioning partners include the BBC, Channel 4, Arts Council England, the BFI and the AHRC. 

We use our experience of nurturing new writing and directing talent for broadcasters and national organisations by developing ambitious and scaled projects that both entertain and reflect our community. 

Our process is tried and tested, with over 20 years of experience in seeking out future storytellers in TV and film. We work with partners from Bristol, the South West and all over the UK to uncover stories, by developing ideas to create shows with popular appeal.