I am an experienced, committed and creative Series Director/Producer with a proven track record of delivering ambitious and intelligent docs and factual series for prime time BBC 1 and 2, Channel 4 and Channel 5. I have also made several shows for US networks including, The Discovery Channel, The Smithsonian Channel and The Travel Channel.
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I am an experienced, committed and creative Series Director/Producer with a proven track record of delivering ambitious and intelligent docs and factual series for prime time BBC 1 and 2, Channel 4 and Channel 5. I have also made several shows for US networks including, The Discovery Channel, The Smithsonian Channel and The Travel Channel.
I've worked in factual television for 20 years. I began my career as a researcher, often helping to develop new shows before sharpening my location skills as an AP and Self Shooting PD. In the last 8 years I’ve concentrated on Series Directing and Producing single docs and series. I have a wide range of interests and I’ve worked across various factual genres including, specialist factual, observational documentary and factual entertainment.
I bring confidence, calmness and a very strong work ethic to my work. As such I am often asked to take on projects that involve dangerous/extreme locations or challenging access. I’ve worked with the Russian dive team in Siberia, developed hard hitting access shows with the US Department of Homeland Security and negotiated access to rarely seen parts of the Vatican. I put time and thought into the look and style of my work and I always challenge my team to create the most beautiful film(s) possible.
As a trained journalist and experienced edit producer I can turn dense, complicated content into interesting, inspiring and accessible television. I enjoy tackling new topics and new ideas. Most recently I've directed films about geothermal energy in Costa Rica, ancient religious beliefs in Vanuatu and climbing the North Face of the Eiger.
I am very comfortable in post production. I am a strong writer and post-director but I'm also experienced managing multiple suites and hitting hard deadlines. My experience in post-production also means I am often asked to help polish or re-cut a difficult first series or single docs.
I work well with on-screen talent. And I’ve written and directed for some of the most established names in the business ( Sir Tony Robinson, Steve Backshall and Clare Balding ) as well as numerous first timers. I particularly enjoy helping talent to develop their style. And I really enjoy helping new presenters to find their voice and develop confidence on screen.
I am passionate about the projects I work on. And I would be delighted to discuss your production in more depth should you feel my CV is suitable.
Credits last updated / confirmed indexing on 11th Jan 2019
Credits
Job Role
Production Title
Channel
Company
Date
Network Executive
Series Producer/Director / China's Greatest Treasures / BBC / Mustang Films Ltd / Dec 2018 to present / Emma De'ath
Series Producer/Director
China's Greatest Treasures
BBC
Mustang Films Ltd
Dec 18 - to present
Emma De'ath
Production Title: China's Greatest Treasures
Company: Mustang Films Ltd
Line Manager: Charlotte Jones
Season: 1
Genre: Documentary
Sector: Broadcast Television
Description: New 6 part arts/travel series presented by BBC art critic, Alastair Sooke. RX Spring 2019. TX China/UK/International
Senior PD / Hidden Britain by drone ( Special ) / Channel 4 / Windfall Films / Aug 2018 to Sep 2018 / Tom Porter
Senior PD
Hidden Britain by drone ( Special )
Channel 4
Windfall Films
Aug 18 - Sep 18
Tom Porter
Production Title: Hidden Britain by drone ( Special )
Company: Windfall Films
Line Manager: David Dugan
Programme Length: 60 minutes
Season: 2
Genre: Specialist Factual
Sector: Broadcast Television
Description: 1X 60 special, exploring the effects of this summers heatwave on British archeology and heritage sites, Presented by Tony Robinson
Series Producer/Director / Steve Backshall's Vertical Mile / BBC 2 / Screendog / Aug 2017 to Jun 2018 / Kez Magrie
Series Producer/Director
Steve Backshall's Vertical Mile
BBC 2
Screendog
Aug 17 - Jun 18
Kez Magrie
Production Title: Steve Backshall's Vertical Mile
Company: Screendog
Line Manager: Ed Kellie
Programme Length: 60 minutes
Season: 1
Genre: Documentary
Sector: Broadcast Television
Description: Multi-Platform BBC/International Co/Pro. Adventure/Natural History shot in the Swiss and Italian Alps Winter 2018.
Series Producer/Director / Escape to Costa Rica / Channel 4 / Century Films / Sep 2016 to Jul 2017 / Ralph Lee
Series Producer/Director
Escape to Costa Rica
Channel 4
Century Films
Sep 16 - Jul 17
Ralph Lee
Production Title: Escape to Costa Rica
Company: Century Films
Line Manager: Katie Bailiff
Programme Length: 60 minutes
Season: 1
Genre: Factual
Sector: Broadcast Television
Description: New Series. 3 X 1 hr adventure / science series following science write, Gaia Vince, as she explores, Costa Rica, the 'happiest, most sustainable country in the world'.
Series Director / Flying to the Ends of the Earth / Channel 4 / Blast films / Feb 2016 to Jul 2016 / John Hay
Series Director
Flying to the Ends of the Earth
Channel 4
Blast films
Feb 16 - Jul 16
John Hay
Production Title: Flying to the Ends of the Earth
Company: Blast films
Line Manager: Alistair Pegg
Programme Length: 60 minutes
Season: 2
Genre: Documentary
Sector: Broadcast Television
Description: Ambitious and inspiring 3 X 60 about Arthur William's attempts to meet people living in the most remote parts of our planet.
Producer/Director / Hidden Britain by drone / Channel 4 / Windfall Films / Aug 2015 to Dec 2015 / John Hay
Producer/Director
Hidden Britain by drone
Channel 4
Windfall Films
Aug 15 - Dec 15
John Hay
Production Title: Hidden Britain by drone
Company: Windfall Films
Line Manager: David Dugan
Programme Length: 60 minutes
Season: 1
Genre: Specialist Factual
Sector: Broadcast Television
Description: New 3 X 60 series for prime-time Channel 4 using camera drones to reveal some of Britain's most hard to reach and secure sites.
SP (Self Shooting) / Sean Conway - Running Britain / Discovery / Tuesday's Child Television / Jan 2015 to present / Helen Hawken
SP (Self Shooting)
Sean Conway - Running Britain
Discovery
Tuesday's Child Television
Jan 15 - to present
Helen Hawken
Production Title: Sean Conway - Running Britain
Company: Tuesday's Child Television
Line Manager: Steph Harris
Programme Length: 60 minutes
Genre: Factual
Sector: Broadcast Television
Description: Developed, directed and produced this 2X60 special about adventurer Sean Conway's attempt to run the length of Britain.
Producer/Director / The Red Arrows: Inside the bubble / BBC 2 / Archie / Jan 2014 to Dec 2014 / Lindsey Bradbury
Producer/Director
The Red Arrows: Inside the bubble
BBC 2
Archie
Jan 14 - Dec 14
Lindsey Bradbury
Production Title: The Red Arrows: Inside the bubble
Company: Archie
Line Manager: Jenny Cole
Programme Length: 60 minutes
Genre: Documentary
Sector: Broadcast Television
Description: Hugely successful, 1 X 60 access led doc following the winter/spring training camp. Unique access to the arrows and a specialist factual approach to explaining the techniques they use to create their remarkable displays
Producer/Director / Britains' Flying Past - The Lancaster / BBC 2 / Archie / Jan 2014 to Dec 2014 / Lindsay Bradbury
Producer/Director
Britains' Flying Past - The Lancaster
BBC 2
Archie
Jan 14 - Dec 14
Lindsay Bradbury
Production Title: Britains' Flying Past - The Lancaster
Company: Archie
Line Manager: Jenny Cole
Programme Length: 60 minutes
Genre: Documentary
Sector: Broadcast Television
Description: 1 X 60 History doc for BBC 2, presented by John Sergeant, telling the story of the notorious Lancaster bomber. In this, the last of three films in the strand we departed from the original format and went to the German/Polish border to find a lost Lancaster. Eighty year old Elizabeth Towlsen, daughter of one of the lost crew came with us. Her first trip outside of the UK in 50 years.
Series Producer / Border Rico / Travel Channel / Arrow Media / Aug 2014 to Aug 2014
Series Producer
Border Rico
Travel Channel
Arrow Media
Aug 14 - Aug 14
Production Title: Border Rico
Company: Arrow Media
Line Manager: Tom Brisley
Programme Length: 30 minutes
Genre: Observational Documentary
Sector: Broadcast Television
Description: 6 part Obs. Doc. series working with federal agents in the Caribbean. I developed this series with Arrow Media about the cocaine trade in Puerto Rico from initial idea to delivery, this August. Key to my role was developing and linking the various story lines that emerged within the 3 units over the filming period. I also directed my own unit.
Constant risk assessment, relationship building and developing our access were also critical.
Series Director / Terror in the skies / Channel 4 / Arrow Media / Jan 2013 to Dec 2013 / Jill Fullerton Smith
Series Director
Terror in the skies
Channel 4
Arrow Media
Jan 13 - Dec 13
Jill Fullerton S...
Production Title: Terror in the skies
Company: Arrow Media
Line Manager: Thomas Viner Tom Brisley
Programme Length: 60 minutes
Genre: Science
Sector: Broadcast Television
Description: 4X1 hr popular science series about aircraft safety for Channel 4. As well as setting a series style and camera scripting various, 'explosive' experiments, I was responsible for producing all of our, (first time) presenter sequences.
Producer/Director / Barzan / Ultramarine / Jan 2014 to Dec 2014
Producer/Director
Barzan
Ultramarine
Jan 14 - Dec 14
Production Title: Barzan
Company: Ultramarine
Line Manager: Michael Lynch
Programme Length: Feature Length
Genre: Documentary
Sector: Feature Film
Series Producer / Food and Wine Adventures: Romania / Travel Channel / Tuesday's Child / Jul 2014 to Jan 2015 / Gareth Williams
Series Producer
Food and Wine Adventures: Romania
Travel Channel
Tuesday's Child
Jul 14 - Jan 15
Gareth Williams
Production Title: Food and Wine Adventures: Romania
Company: Tuesday's Child
Line Manager: Steph Harris
Programme Length: 30 minutes
Season: 1
Genre: Travel
Sector: Broadcast Television
Description: I am currently series producing and directing a 6 part food/adventure series for the Travel Channel. I am also across a number of specialist factual development projects.
Producer/Director / World's Busiest Hotel - Las Vegas / Channel 5 / Arrow Media / Jan 2012 to Aug 2012 / John Hay
Producer/Director
World's Busiest Hotel - Las Vegas
Channel 5
Arrow Media
Jan 12 - Aug 12
John Hay
Production Title: World's Busiest Hotel - Las Vegas
Company: Arrow Media
Line Manager: Tom Brisley
Programme Length: 50 minutes
Genre: Factual
Sector: Broadcast Television
Description: A forensic look at how the world's busiest hotel, The Venetian in Las Vegas, caters for up to 50,000 people a day.
Key Graphics help us peel back the layers of the 50 floor hotel and remarkable access takes us behind the sceens during its busiest moments.
PD (Self Shooting) / Worlds Busiest Border - US/Mexico / Channel 5 / Arrow Media / Jun 2012 to Aug 2015 / John Hay
PD (Self Shooting)
Worlds Busiest Border - US/Mexico
Channel 5
Arrow Media
Jun 12 - Aug 15
John Hay
Production Title: Worlds Busiest Border - US/Mexico
Company: Arrow Media
Line Manager: Thomas Viner
Programme Length: 60 minutes
Genre: Documentary
Sector: Broadcast Television
Description: One hour Documentary about the US/Mexican Border. Access led film working with the US Department of Homeland Security, Mexican goverment officials. Illegal immigrants etc. There is a strong CGI element to this film which includes shooting specific sequences, for composites/ time lapse etc. Filming will include helicopter sequences and military patrols in the San diego desert. I will be shooting additonal footage on 5D. Edit Producer
Producer/Director / Sea King - Britain's Flying Past / BBC 2 / Archie / Aug 2011 to Dec 2011 / Lindsay Bradbury
Producer/Director
Sea King - Britain's Flying Past
BBC 2
Archie
Aug 11 - Dec 11
Lindsay Bradbury
Production Title: Sea King - Britain's Flying Past
Company: Archie
Line Manager: Jenny Cole
Programme Length: 60 minutes
Genre: Documentary
Sector: Broadcast Television
Description: The second film in the, 'Britain's Flying Past' strand for BBC 2. This time, John Sergeant takes to the skies in the Royal Navy Sea King and looks back at 40 years of military and civilian service.
1 Hour history documentary for BBC 2. TX Early 2013
Edit Producer / Alive! 60 Days in the Snow / Discovery / ITN / Dec 2011 to Jan 2012
Edit Producer
Alive! 60 Days in the Snow
Discovery
ITN
Dec 11 - Jan 12
Production Title: Alive! 60 Days in the Snow
Company: ITN
Line Manager: Emma Read
Programme Length: 50 minutes
Genre: Dramatised Documentary
Sector: Broadcast Television
Description: Fast Turn around one hour doc for Discovery. Drama Recon Led. Scripted, produced graphics and edit produced. Directed Additional Interviews etc.
Producer/Director / Spitfire-Britain's Flying Past / BBC 2 / Archie / Jan 2011 to Dec 2011 / Lindsay Bradbury
Producer/Director
Spitfire-Britain's Flying Past
BBC 2
Archie
Jan 11 - Dec 11
Lindsay Bradbury
Production Title: Spitfire-Britain's Flying Past
Company: Archie
Line Manager: Jenny Cole
Programme Length: 60 minutes
Genre: Historical Documentary
Sector: Broadcast Television
Description: I wrote, directed and produced this one-hour documentary for BBC 2, celebrating the 75th anniversary of the iconic British fighter jet, the Spitfire. Presented by former BBC political correspondent, John Sergeant, I approached this film in the spirit of a love letter. Key interviews with engineers and veterans helped us understand the journey of one Spitfire, MH434 and its war time story but the tone of the film was best exemplified by Joe and Betty a couple whose war time romance, begun in a Spitfire factory in the early 1940's. Sixty years spent married to other people meant they were only able to reconnect in their eighties after Betty noticed her old boyfriend talking about his lifelong love of the Spitfire on television. Just the kind of unusual tale that seems to have given the Spitfire an almost mystical air.
Producer/Director / World's Scariest Plane Landings / Channel 5 / Mentorn Media / Nov 2012 to Jan 2013 / Michelle Chappell
Producer/Director
World's Scariest Plane Landings
Channel 5
Mentorn Media
Nov 12 - Jan 13
Michelle Chappel...
Production Title: World's Scariest Plane Landings
Company: Mentorn Media
Line Manager: Matt Holden
Programme Length: 50 minutes
Genre: Documentary
Sector: Broadcast Television
Description: A one hour film for Channel 5, featuring extraordinary UGC form some of the most infamous moments in recent aviation history.
Drama reconstruction and key interviews intercut with the self shot amature footage gave a unique insight into the cockpit and cabin as events unfolded.
Producer/Director / Britain's Hidden Heritage / BBC 1 / Reef Television / May 2011 to May 2011
Producer/Director
Britain's Hidden Heritage
BBC 1
Reef Television
May 11 - May 11
Production Title: Britain's Hidden Heritage
Company: Reef Television
Line Manager: Stephen Taylor Woodrow
Programme Length: 50 minutes
Genre: Factual
Sector: Broadcast Television
Description: Sunday evening history series for BBC 1.
My role on this series begun in the early stages of development. I was a key member of the ideas team who shaped the new series which went on to reach 5 million viewers on BBC 1.
I wrote, produced and directed 6 films for this series. Working with key talent like Charlie Boorman, Ann Widdecombe, John Sergeant and Claire Balding, we made films on a wide range of heritage topics. I led a team on a dive to the wreck of the first British Navy Submarine, storyboarded the flight of the last Vulcan bomber, directed a drama reconstruction to try and bring the reality of a Victorian prison to life and worked with a food historian to prepare a sumptious tea party, circa 19th century.
Producer/Director / The Tech Show / Discovery / Reef Television / Jan 2011 to Jan 2011
Producer/Director
The Tech Show
Discovery
Reef Television
Jan 11 - Jan 11
Production Title: The Tech Show
Company: Reef Television
Line Manager: Paul Hanrahan
Programme Length: 30 minutes
Genre: Science
Sector: Broadcast Television
Description: 26 part science series for Discovery. This magazine format was a re-worked version of a Canadian series called, 'The Daily Planet'. I wrote and directed the new series, presented by Dr Jack Lewis. Re-versioning VT's, green screen links and producing graphics were all key tasks.
Producer/Director / Put your money where your mouth is / BBC 2 / Reef Television / Dec 2009 to Mar 2017 / Lindsay Bradbury
Producer/Director
Put your money where your mouth is
BBC 2
Reef Television
Dec 09 - Mar 17
Lindsay Bradbury
Production Title: Put your money where your mouth is
Company: Reef Television
Line Manager: Richard Farmborough
Programme Length: 50 minutes
Genre: Factual Entertainment
Sector: Broadcast Television
Description: Key member of the team that made PYM the most watched programme on BBC 2 during 2010. Produced and Directed over 25 episodes of this fast turn around antiques show for early peak on BBC 2.
Talent management of up to 4 presenters at once.
Experience writing and producing for up to 3 edits at once.
