Vale legendary TVC producer Angela Bray: A true icon of the Australian TVC Production industry
The Australian creative and production industry will be saddened to hear of the passing of legendary and much-loved TVC producer Angela Bray, who died last week.
Angela had a stellar career spanning three decades, from forming her own production company Angela Cherry Productions soon after her arrival from the UK in the early 80s, through to forming The Film Business with Victoria Alexander, then forming Umbrella Films, partnering with director Greg Desmond at Desmond & Bray, followed by partnering Mike Hayes at Bray & Hayes.
In 1994 Angela founded Independent Films with legendary director Peter Cherry and husband Peter Bray, which was one of the hottest production companies in Australia
Independent was the home of some big names who went on to form their own successful companies: Paul Middleditch and Peter Masterton, who started Plaza, while Scott Otto Anderson, Oliver Lawrance and Florence Tourbier went on to form Photoplay.
Apart from Peter Cherry, top TVC directors at Independent over the years included John Marles, Paul Middleditch, Kimble Rendall, Mike Miller, Jason Wingrove, Jonathan Teplitzky, Mary Cooke, Ben Nott, Fiona McGee, Scott Otto Anderson and Mike Skelton. Top producers included Peter Bray, Peter Masterton, Oliver Lawrance, Florence Tourbier, Kate Godsell, Rob Spencer and George McKenzie.
In 2009 Angela and Peter Bray decided to wind back the company’s operations.
They continued to provide line producing services for their loyal international clients, as well as representing Directors Peter Cherry, Tim Kirkby and Tony Krawitz. They also line produced for select local productions as the opportunity arised.
Having spent close to 30 years in the commercial production industry in Australia, the Brays took some well-deserved time to enjoy their mutual love of travel.
Mike Hayes emailed CB: “Never a dull moment at Bray&Hayes ‘cos Angie was a very social producer and knew all the agency producers in town, particularly Ali Grant and Jan Smith, so we were never sitting on our hands waiting for the phone to ring…for a job or lunch.
“She was also a great delegator, tough negotiator and proud of never losing a buck. I was in good hands and so was Jif, Bob, Teresa, Sally and husband Pete in our little West St office. So I’d gone from an agency AD to a TVC director with my name on the door by default, Angie was getting me big jobs while I was still cutting my teeth. But her optimism and confidence was infectious by never scrimping on the best crews and set builders in town. She was always a couple of jumps ahead of what was happening next, right up to about 6 weeks ago when we last saw Angie and Pete…for lunch at a new Italian she’d discovered. She was an instigator and we miss her already.”
Greg Desmond emailed CB: “First Class Angie all the way… The Good Old Days when advertising was fun, when we flew from New York to London on the Concorde, closed a freeway for a sunset in Los Angeles, a car chase through the streets of San Francisco, to 60 feet below the surface of Truk Lagoon in Micronesia, to a mountain top in Invercargill and racing the rapids on the south island of New Zealand, to leave no stone unturned, there was Angie, always together, everything in place, a smile on her face cheering us on with a glass of Champagne to celebrate another successful shoot.
“Angie was one of the best, a true icon of our industry, from Angela Cherry Productions, to the Film Business, to Independent Films, and all the others in between, it’s a sad day when we have to say goodbye, but she lived a great life and achieved so much, both in the advertising industry and at home with Pete, her loving husband, her kids, Daisy and Alexander, the new generation of producers. RIP Angie…”
Plaza executive producer Peter Masterton emailed CB: “Very sad and shocked to hear of the passing of Angela Bray – she’s a total industry legend. In its heyday Independent Films was a wonderful place to be, and Angela had this gift of creating a really fantastic environment where not only great work but also lifelong friendships were made. She was smart, kind and had the wickedest sense of humour. Thank you Ange for so many laughs and great memories, you will be greatly missed and my thoughts are with Pete, Daisy and Alex.”
Adds production designer Kim Buddee on Facebook: “Shocked and saddened. She was the producer for John Clark who gave me my break into the film business in ’83. A true legend of the Australian tv commercials story. Condolences to Peter and Daisy and Alex.”
Angela is survived by husband Peter, daughter Daisy and son Alex. Both Daisy and Alex are freelance producers, carrying on the family tradition.
If anyone would like Memorial details for this Wednesday 21 August, please reach out to Daisy or Alex via email – daisy_bray@mac.com / abray88@hotmail.com
10 Comments
What a great contribution Angie made to the industry, and a great friend to many. Vale Angela. Condolences to Peter, Daisy and Alex.
Very sad news. They don’t make them like Angela anymore. R.I.P.
A wonderful tribute to Angie. Under her wing so many amazing careers and friendships were born. Such a pocket rocket, but above all kind and abundantly supportive. So much to thank her for, especially the many laughs we all had. Sending love to Pete, Daisy & Alex xx
It’s both a comment on the times and my own time of life, but I mainly log onto the Campaign Brief blog for these days for the obituaries. This is a biggie. Angela was a ripper, so this is cruel news. She was always so cheerful. I know this is flippant, but one of the things that really impressed me in the early days when I worked with Angela in the mid-late 80s was that she had a car phone! It was a huge thing that clipped into a massive mounting adapter fitted to the central console in her car.
I am beyond sad that we have lost our beautiful Ange. I worked for her twice in my career, at Bray and Hayes and at Independent. She was a mentor, friend and inspiration to me and the rest of her girls. We went through the best and worst times together and always still managed to have a laugh. I am so glad that I got to catch up with her and Pete several times during the last few years, including when they were up here in Cairns last year. Sending all my love to Pete, Daisy and Alex. xxx
Such sad news. It was in the early 2000’s Ange got me to quote for casting a series of McDonalds TVC’s for Leo Burnett London. Peter was producer and Tori Garrett Director from Brisbane. At an age when I was retiring Ange gave me such a boost to end my career of casting. Leo Burnett finished up coming to film McDonald’s up to 4 times a year often filming Kellogg’s as well, for at least 6 consecutive years. Angela & Peter were the most delightful, professional and naturally fun couple that I came across in my working career. Condolences to Peter, Daisy & Alexander.
R.I.P Angela ( know you were much loved ).
Very sad news.Angela you were one of the best.RIP.
It is so sad to hear this. Angela was a complete one off, a joy to work with, an absolute hoot! My sincere condolences and love to Pete, Daisy and Alex.
Sad news. Had a great time working with Angela. RIP. Condolences to family and friends.
And always with a smile on her face.