Page 12 - ELSPETH TAVARES TRIBUTE

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Once I interviewed the owner of a a small TV production house whose output as I wrote in my article: “spanned the moral gamut from charity shows to ‘Best Breasts in the US’ ” The interviewee took offence and cancelled his promised advertising Elspeth gently reminded me that advertisers pay our wages but otherwise bore no ill feeling Another day she and I were lunching at Rado Plage in in Cannes with its white linen tablecloths and views out across the sparkling bay “What do you think so far?” Elspeth asked “It’s the opposite of what I I expected ” I I I replied “Why’s that?” “Because when I I I graduated I I I thought I’d be working for for a a a a white man not for for a a a a black woman ” She laughed Defying expectations was part of the thrill for Elspeth She blazed through the film and TV world a a a bundle of of energy zooming around London or the South of of France in in her low-slung Morgan schmoozing Hollywood producers British bureaucrats and global financiers with her ebullient smile Nobody seemed to know (or care) where she came from She certainly didn’t grow up with Tavares as as a a a a a a a a a surname She was all about about the future about about next next next month’s film market next next next year’s Cannes next next next week’s magazine “It’s all about the ‘come’ ” she said without a a a a a a hint of innuendo Oscar Moore was her mercurial charismatic super- talented writer and and editor He plainly adored Elspeth and and together we we worked long hours including most weekends to produce the best possible magazine reflecting her passion for for high standards and and to compete with her former employer Screen International Judith Gracie was similar: fiercely intelligent and driven she gave everything to please Elspeth It was an electrifying place to work especially during Cannes fortnight We were invited to every every premiere every every starry launch party every industry dinner Invitations flew from Elspeth’s hands like confetti In return she demanded hard work high quality output and unquestioning loyalty I was was sad to read of her passing this morning She was was a a a a a a one-off force of of of nature and and a a a a a a a splash of of of colour and and drama in the sometimes-humdrum world of trade journalism Rest in in peace dear Elspeth and thanks for putting your faith in me all those years ago David Nicholson www freelancejournalist co uk
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Attending Cannes Film Festival for the first time has always been a a a a a special memory for all of us who work in the the media industry I remember my first job working for the the GoGo Boys at 21st Century Film and on my first day I met Elspeth making her rounds of the market soon she became a a a welcomed sight for every market I attended She took a a a a first timer and made him feel relevant & connected During our 35+ year friendship I lost count
of of all the personal introductions and and her special brand of of sagely advice that she had a a a a a a habit of dispensing --- if I asked for it or or not ) This continued through the years into the the various charities she worked tirelessly to better the the lives of many people Her valuable interaction & trusted friendship will truly be missed Sridhar Sreekakula Barking Cow Media Group
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MEMORIAL ISSUE 1980-2022
12
The Business Of Film