Laura Thorne works as a Digital Producer within the Natural History Unit at BBC Bristol

Where did you grow up – how long have you lived in Bristol?
I grew up in North Devon, went to university in London and moved to Bristol in 2002 – it’s definitely the place I call home. I love coming back to it and really enjoy giving visitors ‘the tour’.  I’ve even persuaded a number of friends to relocate.

Tell us about your career path; what did you do at school/college?
For a start, nothing linked to my current role. I should have followed Mum’s advice and stuck with languages, I think. I’m much better at German than anything I’m doing now! I did some A-Levels and a degree in Psychology & Sociology. After graduating and faffing around for a bit, I moved to Bristol on the advice of a friend and got some temping work to pay the rent. For a while I did whatever the agencies gave me, ending up in HR. I knew to be happy at work I needed to be embedded within a creative team and had my eye on Aardman or the BBC. It’s amazing what can happen if you meet the right people and keep asking the right questions – I landed my dream job as a Digital Producer with the best team in Bristol at Aardman. Happy days! Four years later, I accepted a short contract at the BBC as the second person to be making digital stuff within the NHU. My projects so far have been varied and challenging – just the way I like it.

How was your time at Aardman? 
I joined the Digital team in its third year. I was so excited. It was definitely the most fun I’ve ever had at work. We were the humble geeks, forever in awe of the animators and story tellers around us. I think digital teams often feel like that in their infancy – in a world class animation and film production company. It’s hard to feel like that game you’re working on, or that app you built, carries any weight alongside the likes of amazing blockbuster films five years in the making.

What is it like working on Autumnwatch? It looks so fun on the telly
Fun is absolutely right. The team behind Unsprung and Extra (the online and Red Button elements that I work on) are often caught laughing and messing about. I firmly believe that if you’re having fun you will produce good stuff and work well together. Working on the Watches is something I never thought I’d do. I’m still a bit surprised, but it’s a wonderful opportunity and a great family to be part of. I think I’ll always put my other projects on hold to do a Springwatch. Live telly ticks all the boxes for me.

Have you always been interested in wildlife?
When I was a kid I used to write to the government about conservation issues. I bought an acre of rainforest with my pocket money and used to watch every nature documentary going. I guess that’s what’s made working in the NHU so magic. Seeing that BBC Bristol credit come up at the end of a programme and thinking, ‘I work there’ gives me a huge amount of pride.  

Any funny Autumnwatch tales? Love the presenter banter
Too many to tell! You need the banter to get you through 16 hour days.

Do you have any career tips?
It probably won’t make me very popular, but it’s true to say that my degree had no bearing at all on the jobs I’ve landed. Working for Aardman and the BBC has been down to having a positive attitude and knowing the right people.  If you really want something, it’s amazing what will happen in your favour when you focus on your goals.

What’s next for you?
Good question! I don’t generally look very far ahead, maybe a few months at a time. When I become unhappy, I’ve learned to do something about it. I’d love to set up a team at the Unit, we’re getting there.