A Tribute to Guy Travers

On Thursday 19th March, we unexpectedly lost much loved 1st AD and Production Guild Member Guy Travers.

In his honour, we have created this memorial page where you can share your memories of him. If you would like to contribute to the page, please email pg@productionguild.com.

All at PGGB send Guy's family and friends our deepest sympathies and condolences.

Details for Guy's funeral arrangements to follow.

Guy started working in the  industry in the early 1970's, first as a 3rd AD in episodic television, before moving up and into the independent feature sector as a 2nd AD (Time Bandits, Nijinsky), then as a 1st Assistant Director, on such groundbreaking films as Brazil and A World Apart and more domestic projects like A Private Function and Sammy & Rosie Get Laid.

At the time 1st Assistant Directors were often regarded as "sergeant majors", but Guy was a people person who loved his job (which he never regarded as work). Whilst always supporting his directors his focus was also to ensure that all the technicians on the floor were given the space & time to do their best work. He was not a "shouter", rather believing that the way to get results was to respect everyone, have fun along the way, and sort out grumbles over a pint in the bar at the end of the day. In addition to bringing this very different style to the industry he was a meticulous and gifted scheduler; regularly requested as the returning 1st AD of choice by directors such as Terry Gilliam, Stephen Frears and Billle August. As Bruce Beresford once said to him - "I could just wave a coloured handkerchief in front of you Guy and you'd collapse laughing" - he brought enjoyment, style and effortless organisation to all the projects he worked on.

Many of Guy's films were on location in Africa (The Kitchen Toto, Windprints, Mr Johnson, Dust Devil), a continent he loved, and where he was much loved by the local crews. One driver who had worked with him on a previous film, when sent to pick him up from the airport, came back into the production office beaming saying "my heart lifted when I saw Guy coming through the arrivals door - I was so happy to see him again".

Guy Travers was a gentle man, a great 1st Assistant Director & someone who made a big difference to our industry. We will miss him.