A man from Buckinghamshire who has spent the last decade climbing the film industry ladder has scooped a second prestigious award for his work on Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy.
Simon Hatt, 36, grew up in a working-class household in Loudwater and is, all things, considered, a prime success story of the film industry.
After religiously spending weekends at the former UCI Cinema in High Wycombe and cutting his producer teeth first through a runner job at Pinewood Studios then assistant gigs across the pond, Simon now stands proudly as a multi-award-winning producer on one of the biggest franchises in the world.
He picked up a Children's and Family Emmy for his work on The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special, a seasonal outing for the Chris Pratt-fronted series, in December, and last week Guardians of the Galaxy Volume 3 - which Simon executive produced - was named Best Superhero Movie at the 2024 Saturn Awards, marking an impressive second addition to his display cabinet.
The 36-year-old, who now lives in Los Angeles with his partner, said the Saturn Awards, which took place on Sunday, February 4, were a "surreal" experience, as was taking to the stage alongside President of Marvel Studios Kevin Feige, who has witnessed Simon's journey from assistant all the way through to executive producer.
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Despite the glitzy novelty of the Emmys in December, Sunday's ceremony - presented by the Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy and Horror Films - had more of an emotional resonance for Simon, thanks to its narrowed focus on certain niche genres.
"Nicholas Cage accepted an award, and he said it felt like everyone in the room was that eccentric art kid from school who didn't really fit in. Growing up, I didn't necessarily feel like I ever found my community but that's what was so great about that night - it felt like I had."
The moments of unreality are few and far between, thanks to the incremental growth of Simon's career over the past ten years, but speaking to Michael Giacchino, composer of the TV series Lost, at the Saturns was a pinch-me moment ("My friends were obsessed with the score - he loved hearing that") and it's affirming when outside voices remind him of how far he's travelled.
"My in laws were very impressed - the awards are both stunning and the Emmy was a huge hit with my partner's grandparents over Christmas.
"This wasn't an overnight success - I've got ten years in the bank now, and I want to take the things I've learned and use them to keep betting on myself.
"You have to be willing to fail, but part of me feels like it's worked out so far - the risks have always paid off."
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