Join Oscar-nominated producer John Smithson as he gives his insight into creating work in the non-scripted space at this not-to-be-missed masterclass presented with the British Academy of Film and Television Arts. Unlike the controlled environment of the scripted world, nonfiction producers often encounter unforeseen elements in the field that can push the most well-planned production to the brink of disaster. It’s precisely in the nether reaches of this disaster zone that Smithson, one of the world’s most successful and highly regarded documentary producers, has found some of his greatest stories and turned crisis into triumph. Over the course of 25 years at the helm of production companies Darlow Smithson and Arrow Media, he has had more than his share of seemingly insurmountable snafus. In this fascinating talk, illustrated with clips from several of his films, Smithson will reveal what you can do to turn a bad situation around and make a better film at the end of the day. Most recently, as producer of the BAFTA-nominated documentary, Sherpa, Smithson had to deal with the outcome of an unthinkable tragedy. In a single deadly day in 2014, 16 Sherpas were killed in an avalanche on Mount Everest. The story of how Sherpa became an extraordinary tribute to those who died and those who lived to climb again will inspire all filmmakers.