Adrian Bell
Agricultural content consultant for film, television, digital, radio and stage
Profile
Award-winning agricultural content consultant, storyline adviser and presenter for farming content in film, TV, digital, radio and theatre
Bring Adrian Bell into your production as an agricultural content consultant and you can be confident of delivering an accurate portrayal of agriculture, farming and food production.
Whether it’s for period drama or contemporary storylines, needing an expert grasp of current agricultural trends, or an in-depth technical script, Adrian’s research and consultancy services will bring a rich vein of agricultural authenticity to any production: for film, radio, digital, television or theatre.
Focusing on detail and context, Adrian’s award-winning work brings energy and enthusiasm to every advisory, from a single scene to an entire storyline or a whole series.
Available as an agricultural storyline adviser at any stage from pre-production to filming, he offers a range of consultancy services to film-makers and production companies on a one-off, retained or long-term basis.
Adrian is also a host and presenter.
Background
Agriculture is in Adrian’s blood – he lives and breathes it. It’s earned him a living for more than 25 years, including eight years running an award-winning Cotswold farm.
He’s a member of the British Agricultural History Society, a past chairman of the British Guild of Agricultural Journalists, and for five years was an elected member of the Cotswolds Conservation Board, helping to administer England’s largest Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. As a freelance agricultural journalist, his articles have appeared in Farmers Weekly, Farmers Guardian and other British publications, while his work as a specialist communications consultant at Agro Mavens sees him advising some of the world’s biggest agricultural brands on their marketing and communications strategies. He has twice been awarded ‘PR Writer of the Year’ by the British Guild of Agricultural Journalists.
He has worked as an agricultural content consultant since 2014.
Reading University
B.Sc (Hons) Rural Resource Management
Royal Agricultural College
M.Sc. Rural Estate Management
Agricultural Communications
In-house, agency and freelance agricultural journalist
1998 - present
Farming on film? Adrian Bell can help your production
For any screen, stage or radio depiction of agriculture, farming and rural life: from drama to documentary.
Stage and Theatre
Television
Film
Radio
Digital
Hosting and Presenting
Services
What can an agricultural content consultant do for you?
Detailed agricultural narratives, backgrounds and outlines. Character descriptions, biographies. Adrian finds valid ways to say yes to the “Can we..?” questions.
Fully researched agricultural backgrounds and contexts – whether you’re after medieval turnips or 21st century agri-tech.
Face-to-face briefings with the director, producer or other members of the production team. Or ask Adrian to provide a bible with an agricultural tone.
Ask Adrian to guide and advise writers, designers, production teams, etc, and avoid anachronisms – such as the wrong crop (it’s not going to be grown for another hundred years), the wrong tractor (five years too early) or the wrong procedures (not like THAT!).
Scenes, plots and storylines with agricultural elements? Do any of your characters need to demonstrate agricultural knowledge, or reel off jargon convincingly? Adrian can provide a ‘script doctor’ service to ensure those lines and plots read agriculturally true.
Ask your location managers to work with Adrian to identify appropriate filming locations throughout the UK, and correct settings for key scenes or plot devices. Adrian can also advise on livestock, fixtures and equipment – and where to source them. He’ll check for anachronisms – and find a way to fix them.
Evoke the necessary feel and appearance with advice on appropriate props, tools, buildings, livestock, equipment, etc – period, geography, demography, seasonality. Use Adrian to get your cast talking about farming like they live and breathe it.
Adrian’s service focuses on the provision of advice, research and insight. But he can also help you identify and source crucial necessities – like livestock, tractors, and other vital equipment – all matched to location, storyline and period.
Need an on-site briefing for a director, HOD, cast or extras? Let Adrian know what you need and where you need it.
Want to check some facts before building them into a script? Got an advertising concept that involves farming, but need to be sure before pitching it to a client? Something else about filming farming that’s not covered here?
Let Adrian know, with a call or email. He’s happy to discuss initial ideas and concepts with creative agencies, advertising agencies, location scouts, commercial production teams and anyone else who needs to combine film with farming. If he can’t provide it himself, he will know someone who can.
As an ‘agricultural specialist’, Adrian brings authenticity and expertise to factual or promotional productions as a host or presenter.
Portfolio
Cider with Rosie
The BBC remake of the classic Laurie Lee novel ‘Cider with Rosie’ was extremely well received by critics and audiences alike. Filmed on location in Gloucestershire, close to Laurie Lee’s birthplace and former home of Slad, the haymaking scenes were scoped and filmed with advice and guidance from Adrian.
Close to the Enemy
Little Island Productions approached Adrian seeking accuracy for a crucial scene from this Second World War thriller, made for the BBC. Adrian's agricultural storyline advice was sought for a scene in which the characters needed to hide within a standing crop. Short-strawed modern wheat would not have afforded sufficient cover - so we switched to maize instead. Adrian's research justified its contemporaneity. And as subsequent correspondence in 'The Spectator' proved, audiences are observant and critical. Adrian was happy to point out his advice was watertight!
BKT Global Trends
Adrian was commissioned to research, script and present this eight-part agricultural talk show investigating the most important trends in global agriculture: topics such as water use, climate change, soil health and agtech. The series saw 32 guests from around the world, experts in their fields, interviewed in the studio and remotely.
Produced for a leading tyre manufacturer, the series has attracted viewing figures of 1.5 million from 160 countries.
Can I help you with your next project?
For a no-obligation discussion to find out how Adrian can advise you on agricultural content and farming storylines, or present your agricultural production, pick up the phone and call:
+44 (0)7976 866808.
Or e-mail:
content@adrianbell.com
Based in rural Wiltshire, he’s in the heart of England. He will travel within the UK and overseas to advise and work with clients.