About Alan

​Meet Alan Ralston — A Virtual Assistant with Global Perspective and Executive Precision

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Alan Ralston is a seasoned professional whose career spans high-stakes film production, technical project management, and seamless operational support.

 

With over two decades of experience working across continents and industries, Alan now offers his talents as a virtual assistant — delivering reliable, detail-oriented service with executive-level insight.

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Alan began his professional journey in the fast-paced world of Film and Advertising, rising through the ranks from Production Assistant to Line Producer before founding his own successful company, Chaos Films, in 2003.

 

As Executive Producer, he led the company to become one of Southern Africa’s premier production houses, producing TV commercials for top-tier brands including Vodafone, MTN, Celtel, Standard Bank, Nedbank, Kellogg’s, Samsung, and Nippon Paints. His team shot on location across Malaysia, Singapore, Dubai, Morocco, Mozambique, Kenya, Burkina Faso, Namibia, and South Africa.

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Among Alan’s most distinguished achievements was serving as Executive Producer of Circles in a Forest — a groundbreaking film shot in a remote wilderness in Africa, with live elephants and a full production crew. To this day, he is still one of the few film executives globally to have successfully orchestrated such a complex undertaking.  During the filming, Alan was challenged to navigate extraordinary logistical challenges to bring the story to life. The film went on to become a best-seller and played a key role in raising awareness about the plight of the African elephant.

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After six years at the helm of Chaos Films, Alan transitioned to a more grounded lifestyle and joined a Security Integration firm in Cape Town as Project Manager. Over nine years, he led installations of CCTV and fire suppression systems, liaised with government departments, managed subcontractor relationships, and handled intricate project logistics — including wayleave permits, insurance, and electrical compliance.

 

Now based in Poole, UK, Alan leverages this depth of experience to serve clients remotely as a trusted virtual assistant. Whether you're a business leader, entrepreneur, or creative professional, Alan offers strategic support with discretion, structure, and calm efficiency.

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Core Competencies:

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• Calendar and inbox management

• Client liaison

• Travel planning and logistics

• Subcontractor and vendor coordination

• Remote film production support including crew sourcing

• Technical knowledge of security and integration systems

• Budget tracking and operational administration

• Executive-level professionalism and poise under pressure

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With Alan, you don’t just hire a virtual assistant — you gain a high-calibre partner with a proven record of managing complexity, fostering trust, and delivering results.

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