Bio

About Me

Adrian Bell left school at the age of 16 to become a house music DJ and front of house live music sound mixer. Following a run of recorded mix performances for BBC Radio 1 and appearances in London’s west end, Adrian started formal training with the BBC Film Unit from 1984 to 1988.

In 1988, Adrian went freelance, initially as a boom operator, then continued to work mainly in factual & documentary television recording, travelling to over thirty countries and working on a broad spectrum of programmes. He notably picked up two BAFTA nominations for Sound (Factual) in 1996 for "HMS Brilliant" and 1998 for "Hotel," both BBC productions.

In 2003 Adrian moved into television drama and, more recently, feature films and high end TV drama. Starting with a portfolio that includes five series of the BBC’s “Merlin,” as well as numerous independently produced dramas, including the Stephen Poliakoff series “Dancing on the Edge” for he which picked up the BAFTA for Best Sound (Fiction) in 2014:

Download PDF 2014 BAFTA Awards

In 2015 Adrian moved into feature work with Richard Curtis on “About Time,” and then followed with “Everest,” Ron Howard’s “Inferno,” “The Mummy,” with Tom Cruise & Russell Crowe, “Goodbye Christopher Robin” with Margot Robbie, and Paul Thomas Anderson’s “Phantom Thread.” More recently Adrian has been working on more musical based features such as “Mamma Mia Here We Go Again.” “Judy,” was released in October 2019 tells the story of Judy Garland’s return to London, featuring Renee Zellweger. There was a considerable amount of live vocals recording on set to help bring this movie alive.

In 2018 Adrian worked with Michael Bay on the Netflix movie “6 Underground,” an adrenalin packed action feature, filmed in Italy and Abu Dhabi.

In 2020 “Jingle Jangle,” was released, a Christmas musical featuring live recordings from Forest Whitaker and directed by David E. Talbert.

2021 saw two gorgeous period films “Mothering Sunday,” directed by Eva Husson and “Last Letter from Your Lover,” a love story directed by Augustine Frizzell featuring Shailene Woodley & Felicity Jones.

With a career spanning 40 years, Adrian is comfortable with his variety of work with large studio music rigs or action based filming, along with constantly updated sound equipment.

Adrian has just finished working in Spain with Guy Ritchie directing Jake Gyllenhaal in “The Interpreter.”

Adrian’s recent films involves extensive radio mic work and music playback and recording. Working in collaboration with playback operators and music supervisors, there is a seamless process to dynamic and complex equipment setups.

With a career spanning 36 years, Adrian is comfortable with his variety of work with large studio music rigs or action based filming, along with constantly updated sound equipment.

Adrian is married to Linda, a documentary PM/line producer, with two children Emily and Thomas.

Industry Accreditations

2016 – 2022: Council Member of AMPS for 6 years

2022 Treasurer of AMPS

2008 – present day: Member of AMPS for 16 years

1998 – present day: Member of Institute of Professional Sound for 36 years

2013 – 2020: Voting Member of BAFTA for 10 years

2018 – present day: Member of CAS for 6 years

2020 – present day: Member of AMPAS for 4 years