Michelle Stapleton

Founding Partner

Madam Films

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Michelle started her career in the advertising industry when she was 17, working her way up from reception to producing with the infamous director Tony Kaye. She joined Propaganda Films when they launched in London, working with the likes of Alex Proyas, David Fincher, Michael Bay, Mark Romanek.

At 26 she founded Brave Films which soon became one of London’s leading production companies earning Best Newcomer in its first year. Brave launched the careers of young filmmakers such as Lucy Blakstad, Seb Edwards, Alex Winter (Bill and Ted fame) and Sara Dunlop.

Michelle teamed up with two likeminded business women Carly Stone and Pippa Bhatt in 2013 to launch Madam Films, a UK production service company bringing a wealth of experience, enthusiasm and creative problem solving allowing clients from all over the world to be able to shoot in the UK.

Michelle Stapleton
I was born in….
a convent in Beaconsfield

I now live in…
London

But if I could live anywhere, it would be…
in the Mountains or by the sea

Right now, I’m binge-watching…
The Queen’s Gambit

The last track I listened to was…
Too Late to Turn Back Now - Cornelius Brothers & Sister Rose

I dream about…
lots of things

The app I couldn’t survive without is…
Spotify 

Social media is…
not really that social

When we can travel again, I’ll be heading to…
Relaxation

The most important lesson I’ve learned in 2020…
Be thankful for what you have

The best/worst thing about lockdown was…
Being with family / Being without family

What the film industry needs is…
More strong women and equality for women

What I wish I’d known when I was starting my career…
How brave and confident I was way back then

The best advice I’ve ever been given…
Never be afraid to ask anything

The film I wish I’d made…
Any Coen Brothers movie - although Jo Jo Rabbit will always be in my top ten and now that you’ve got me thinking…Too many to mention!

My biggest inspiration is…
Madam Films 

The person I would canonise is…
myself!

If I wasn’t... I’d be…
Don’t do ifs and wasn’ts 

My last meal would be…
Hopefully an enjoyable one

My life philosophy in three words…
Laugh Love Light