LAILA DEBS - CURRICULUM VITAE
___________________ PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND _________________
Mar 2010- Jan 2011 Co-created within MBC’s Programme Development Unit a novel TV format “Hiya Wa Huwa”, a fusion of reality mixed with musical and dramatic segments. The format was greenlit by the network and proceeded straight into production whereby she was contracted the dual roles of Production Manager and Producer. The show was a total success and achieved the highest ratings of in-house produced programmes for the season.
March 2011 Front of House Coordination for Events in Saudi Arabia on Jeddah Economic Forum.
March 2010 Appearance on the "Stars of Science" season 2 hosting a Pitch Performance techniques workshop
Nov 2009-Feb 2010 Production Manager, "Who Wants to be a Millionaire", MBC, Lebanon
October 2009 Recruited engineering. design, business experts and senior panel of judges for "Stars of Science" Season 2, prduced by Khayal Producions for Qatar Foundation.
May 2009 My article, Hakawati Freestyle, is published in the 2009 LAU/IWSAW quarterly journal, Al-Raida
April 2009 Motivational & Pitching techniques advisor on Stars of Science, a docu-reality television programme produced by Khayal Productions for Qatar Foundation - Doha
July 2008 Hands Modelling Specialist - BBC3 Documentary, "I'm Kylie's Body Double". I appeared in 2 segments as the Hands Modelling Agent in London providing tips and information on body part modelling.
April 2006 – Present Creative Consultant – Creative Content Department - MBC (Middles East Broadcast Centre)
In addition to attending all the major television markets with the Executive Producer I worked with a team of 6 creative producers, devising and developing non scripted and game show television formats then pitching them to potential commissioning bodies.
1998 – Present Company Secretary / Co Producer – Legend Productions Ltd – London
My business partner set up this production company with the intention of producing documentaries. I on the other hand concentrate on sitcoms and non scripted formats. We have options currently running on two ideas.
1992 – Present Managing Director / Shareholder – Economic Travel Services – London
I established this company during the height of the bucket shop era as my own family business. With the changes in the industry the company now operates as a travel consultancy to find passengers the best deals in the market. Our clients are primarily business and first class travellers.
1991 – Present Casting Director & Agent – Company Director / Shareholder –
The David Artistes Management Agency Ltd
The agency was established since 1962 as an extras agency. Since managing the company I have added additional specialised departments: C. A. Artistes Management (personal management),
Derek’s Hands (specialising in hands and foot modelling) and Spare Parts (body parts modelling).
1989 – Present Events Consultant & Agent – Company Director / Shareholder - Glamtime Ltd – London
This agency caters for entertainment talent. I represent DJ’s, and special acts performers that I recruit for private parties and events.
1988 – 1991 Producer/Co-Director – Seriously Marginal Theatre Company Ltd – London
This company was set up with my business partner, but after being too engrossed in our other businesses we made the company dormant.
1989 – 1992 Project Manager & Supervisor – Air Travel Advisory Bureau –London
I joined this company for part time work whilst studying for my Doctorate. Two weeks after joining I was promoted to staff Supervisor. Due to the successful creative programme I initiated on my own for the staff I was handed three weeks later the responsibility for supervising special projects regarding certain products and promotions. Just before leaving I was offered the post of full time Assistant Managing Director at the Miami office once I got my doctorate degree. I had to turn down this tempting offer due to pursuing my own independent work.
1983 – 1987 Associate Professor, Theatre Arts Department – Beirut University College – Lebanon
Due to my high GPA I was offered to teach 6 drama courses as a graduate Professor. I accepted but then left to pursue my Doctorate Degree in the UK.
1982 – 1983 Journalist, Theatre & Film Critic – Monday Morning Weekly English Magazine, Lebanon
I was headhunted for this job due to my contacts in the theatre, film and television industry. My reporting was primarily in the celebrity circle. I left to concentrate on the teaching offer at university.
1980 – 1982 Managing Director & Technical Director – Theatre De Beyrouth – Lebanon
I was a founding member of the company. It was forced to shut down due to the war situation in the country.
___________________ PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE ___________________
Selection of Theatre Credits: 2008 Jeddah Economic Forum – Director & Show Caller - Female Gala Night Spectacular Fashion Display – Saudi Arabia
2006 Hakawati Freestyle – Writer and Actress – Victoria and Albert Museum – London
1989 And To Eat No Fish – Technical Director – Edinburgh Festival – England
1986/87 King Ubu – Director – Beirut University College – Lebanon
1986 Marat Sade – Director – Beirut University College – Lebanon
1984 End Game – Actor – Beirut University College – Lebanon
1981/82 Children’s Puppet Show – Technical Director - Theatre De Beyrouth – Lebanon
1980/81 Mughamarat Ras Al-Mamluk Jaber – Producer – Theatre De Beyrouth – Lebanon
1980 The Endless Circle – Writer & Director – Beirut University College – Lebanon
1979/80 The Wizard of Oz – Actor – Beirut University College - Lebanon
Selection of Radio, TV & Film Credits:
2007/08 Creative Content Department (London) Consultant on TV content programming creation.
2005/06 The Investor (Middle East) Reality Show – Casting Contestants & Production Manager – MBC – London, Beirut and Dubai
2003/04 Big Brother (Middle East) – Contestants Selection Committee – MBC –London, Beirut and Bahrain
2002/03 Dial ‘G’ for GAS – Short Feature – Producer – Polaris Productions Ltd – London
2001/02 Air On A “G” String – Feature – Associate Producer – Polaris Productions Ltd – London
2000 – Present Comedy Soap (In Development) – TV Series – Co-Writer/Sales Agent – The David Agency – London
2000 – Present Pacemaker (In Development) – Film Script – Written by Mark Yeti Cribb – Sales Agent - London
1996/98 Astrology Series for Radio – Sales Agent – London
1982/84 Health Radio Programme – Director – Lebanese Women’s Association – Lebanon
___________________ PRESENT PROJECTS ___________________
At present I am setting up GCS (Global Consultancy Service) in London, Dubai, Riyadh Beirut and Nigeria for organising and hosting workshops in self motivation for senior corporate company heads of departments and their work force to enhance performance and productivity covering the entire business spectrum.
___________________ EDUCATION & CREDENTIALS _____________
Bachelor of Arts in Communication Arts, 1978 – 1982
Beirut University College – Majored in Theatre Acting and Directing - Lebanon
Masters (MPhil) in Theatre Acting and Directing, 1989 – 1990
SOAS (School of Oriental and African Studies) - London
PhD in Comparative Theatre Literature, 1990 - 1993
SOAS (School of Oriental and African Studies) - London
Professional Memberships: Directors Guild of Great Britain, New Producers Alliance of Great Britain,
Languages Fluent English and Arabic
French (Conversational but needs improvement)
Italian (learning at present)
Additional Information Well travelled, extremely fit, completed 4 London Marathons and collected close to £4000 each marathon, daily work out, regular blood donor, avid reader, constantly abreast with trends in fashion and advertising. Good public speaker with a passion for delivering pitches. I have very little tolerance to the expression, “not possible” or “insufficient time”. I am extremely principled, incessantly optimistic, dramatically passionate, exhaustingly energetic and unbearably perfectionist.
Nov 09-Feb 10 Production Manger, "Who Wants to be a Millionair", MBC, Lebanon
Oct 2009 Recruited engineering. design, business experts and senior panel of judges for "Stars of Science" Season 2, prduced by Khayal Producions for Qatar Foundation.
May 2009 My article, Hakawati Freestyle, is published in the 2009 LAU/IWSAW quarterly journal, Al-Raida
Apr 2009 Motivational & Pitching techniques advisor on Stars of Science, a docu-reality television programme produced by Khayal Productions for Qatar Foundation - Doha
2008 Hands Modelling Specialist - BBC3 Documentary, "I'm Kylie's Body Double". I appeared in 2 segments as the Hands Modelling Agent in London providing tips and information on body part modelling.