James Hedge
Executive Producer / Series Editor / Edit Producer
Pro
1 out of 3 media files
About Me
An experienced Executive Producer, Series Editor and Edit Producer, I've held senior roles on groundbreaking, high profile factual entertainment series, closely collaborating with big name talent and top commissioners at major broadcasters.
On ‘The Great British Bake Off’ and ‘The Great British Sewing Bee&rsq... Read More
On ‘The Great British Bake Off’ and ‘The Great British Sewing Bee&rsq... Read More
An experienced Executive Producer, Series Editor and Edit Producer, I've held senior roles on groundbreaking, high profile factual entertainment series, closely collaborating with big name talent and top commissioners at major broadcasters.
On ‘The Great British Bake Off’ and ‘The Great British Sewing Bee’ I went from overseeing the history VTs, directing Mel and Sue, and Claudia Winkleman on location across the country, to Series Editing the main show. For ‘Bake Off’ that meant navigating the most watched fact ent series on British terrestrial through its highly scrutinised migration from BBC1 to Channel 4, working closely with new talent and commissioners to make sure the tone and style that made it an international hit, remained perfectly preserved.
I also Series Edited Joe Lycett's takeover of 'Sewing Bee', guiding him through his first prime-time presenting role. The series was rewarded with a move from BBC2 to BBC1, and Joe won the RTS award for Best Presenter.
I've a proven track record of establishing bold, confident presenter-led formats, series editing 'Aldi's Next Big Thing’, presented by Anita Rani, and reuniting with Sue Perkins for celebrity snow-building Xmas extravaganza, 'The Greatest Snowman' (the youngest skewing programme in primetime across public service broadcasters in 2021), winning Channel 4 recommissions for both.
For the BBC I steered 8 part series Andi Oliver's Fabulous Feasts' from pitch deck to delivery, taking the well-trodden food travelogue format in bold and ambitious new directions. It was featured in The Guardian's list of 'best TV of 2024 so far'.
With 25 years in the industry, from runner to exec, I have the experience to manage projects and teams in a calm, pragmatic manner, always looking for innovative solutions to keep the production moving forwards. I like to quickly establish a workplace that's creatively freeing, prizing innovation and encouraging collaboration.
I’ve a passion for working closely with presenting talent, particularly comedians, and love the edit. As an edit producer I've an instinct for immersive storytelling and character nuance, always looking to tease maximum drama, heart and humour from the rushes.
SKILLS:
- Taking ambitious ideas from development deck to delivery, as I did recently with 'The Greatest Snowman', 'Andi Oliver's Fabulous Feasts and 'Aldi's Next Big Thing'.
- Strong relationships with commissioners. Working as a conduit between production company and channel, making sure everyone's vision and needs are respected and accounted for throughout pre-production, filming and post.
- Using my wealth of contacts, and relationships with top industry talent, established during my 25 years in the business, to bring together the best team for the job.
- Nurturing relationships with high profile presenting talent, including Sue Perkins ('The Great British Bake Off'/'The Greatest Snowman'), Joe Lycett ('The Great British Sewing Bee') Anita Rani ('Aldi's Next Big Thing') and Andi Oliver ('Fabulous Feasts'}. I have a strong track record of working with comedians on formats to bring the perfect amount of light and shade, heart and humour.
- Casting real-world experts with little to no filming experience and producing them into confident, respected television judges and household names e.g. Esme Young ('The Great British Sewing Bee') and Julie Ashfield (Aldi's Next Big Thing).
- Remote working - running editorial teams and edits across the country, as I did on 'Andi Oliver's Fabulous Feasts' and 'Aldi's Next Big Thing'.
- Working alongside production executives/managers to refine budgets and create workable shoot and post schedules in the most complex of circumstances. For example 'The Greatest Snowman' required filming with 6 celebrities, 1 presenter and 3 experts on a snow-covered mountain in Austria, requiring the delivery of gigantic snowblocks, equipment and all of this during the tail end of the Covid pandemic.
- Crafting scripts and running orders. Collaborating with writers to enrich scripts. I have a long-standing working relationship with Sue Perkins' and Drag Race's comedy writer Christian Manley.
- Managing complex post-production workflows, and fast-turnaround edits eg on 'The Greatest Snowman' I had just 2 and a half weeks to ovesee the cut of a 1.5 hour special to hit a Christmas Eve TX deadline).
- Over 15 years Edit Producing experience, and an ability to step into projects and work closely with editors to transform cuts.
- A hands-on approach to final post, directing VO sessions, running the dub, grade and online. Signing off final mixes.- Writing ed specs and billings.
- Running multiple series simultaneously (including development projects).
- Overseeing contributor welfare and compliance.
- Location scouting.
- Many years experience directing multi-camera crews.
AREAS OF EXPERIENCE:
- Competition Shows ('Bake Off' / 'Sewing Bee' / 'All That Glitters')
- Factual Entertainment / Features ('Aldi's Next Big Thing'' / 'Ant Anstead: Born Mechanic) )
- Food / Travelogue ('Andi Oliver's Fabulous Feasts')
- Observational Documentary (inc hard hitting docs eg 'Benefits Street' / 'My Last Summer')
- Large-scale reality ('The Greatest Snowman')
- Live studio producing (Nickelodeon / CBBC)
-Children's TV (CBBC / Cartoon Network / RTE)
- Corporate film-making Read Less
On ‘The Great British Bake Off’ and ‘The Great British Sewing Bee’ I went from overseeing the history VTs, directing Mel and Sue, and Claudia Winkleman on location across the country, to Series Editing the main show. For ‘Bake Off’ that meant navigating the most watched fact ent series on British terrestrial through its highly scrutinised migration from BBC1 to Channel 4, working closely with new talent and commissioners to make sure the tone and style that made it an international hit, remained perfectly preserved.
I also Series Edited Joe Lycett's takeover of 'Sewing Bee', guiding him through his first prime-time presenting role. The series was rewarded with a move from BBC2 to BBC1, and Joe won the RTS award for Best Presenter.
I've a proven track record of establishing bold, confident presenter-led formats, series editing 'Aldi's Next Big Thing’, presented by Anita Rani, and reuniting with Sue Perkins for celebrity snow-building Xmas extravaganza, 'The Greatest Snowman' (the youngest skewing programme in primetime across public service broadcasters in 2021), winning Channel 4 recommissions for both.
For the BBC I steered 8 part series Andi Oliver's Fabulous Feasts' from pitch deck to delivery, taking the well-trodden food travelogue format in bold and ambitious new directions. It was featured in The Guardian's list of 'best TV of 2024 so far'.
With 25 years in the industry, from runner to exec, I have the experience to manage projects and teams in a calm, pragmatic manner, always looking for innovative solutions to keep the production moving forwards. I like to quickly establish a workplace that's creatively freeing, prizing innovation and encouraging collaboration.
I’ve a passion for working closely with presenting talent, particularly comedians, and love the edit. As an edit producer I've an instinct for immersive storytelling and character nuance, always looking to tease maximum drama, heart and humour from the rushes.
SKILLS:
- Taking ambitious ideas from development deck to delivery, as I did recently with 'The Greatest Snowman', 'Andi Oliver's Fabulous Feasts and 'Aldi's Next Big Thing'.
- Strong relationships with commissioners. Working as a conduit between production company and channel, making sure everyone's vision and needs are respected and accounted for throughout pre-production, filming and post.
- Using my wealth of contacts, and relationships with top industry talent, established during my 25 years in the business, to bring together the best team for the job.
- Nurturing relationships with high profile presenting talent, including Sue Perkins ('The Great British Bake Off'/'The Greatest Snowman'), Joe Lycett ('The Great British Sewing Bee') Anita Rani ('Aldi's Next Big Thing') and Andi Oliver ('Fabulous Feasts'}. I have a strong track record of working with comedians on formats to bring the perfect amount of light and shade, heart and humour.
- Casting real-world experts with little to no filming experience and producing them into confident, respected television judges and household names e.g. Esme Young ('The Great British Sewing Bee') and Julie Ashfield (Aldi's Next Big Thing).
- Remote working - running editorial teams and edits across the country, as I did on 'Andi Oliver's Fabulous Feasts' and 'Aldi's Next Big Thing'.
- Working alongside production executives/managers to refine budgets and create workable shoot and post schedules in the most complex of circumstances. For example 'The Greatest Snowman' required filming with 6 celebrities, 1 presenter and 3 experts on a snow-covered mountain in Austria, requiring the delivery of gigantic snowblocks, equipment and all of this during the tail end of the Covid pandemic.
- Crafting scripts and running orders. Collaborating with writers to enrich scripts. I have a long-standing working relationship with Sue Perkins' and Drag Race's comedy writer Christian Manley.
- Managing complex post-production workflows, and fast-turnaround edits eg on 'The Greatest Snowman' I had just 2 and a half weeks to ovesee the cut of a 1.5 hour special to hit a Christmas Eve TX deadline).
- Over 15 years Edit Producing experience, and an ability to step into projects and work closely with editors to transform cuts.
- A hands-on approach to final post, directing VO sessions, running the dub, grade and online. Signing off final mixes.- Writing ed specs and billings.
- Running multiple series simultaneously (including development projects).
- Overseeing contributor welfare and compliance.
- Location scouting.
- Many years experience directing multi-camera crews.
AREAS OF EXPERIENCE:
- Competition Shows ('Bake Off' / 'Sewing Bee' / 'All That Glitters')
- Factual Entertainment / Features ('Aldi's Next Big Thing'' / 'Ant Anstead: Born Mechanic) )
- Food / Travelogue ('Andi Oliver's Fabulous Feasts')
- Observational Documentary (inc hard hitting docs eg 'Benefits Street' / 'My Last Summer')
- Large-scale reality ('The Greatest Snowman')
- Live studio producing (Nickelodeon / CBBC)
-Children's TV (CBBC / Cartoon Network / RTE)
- Corporate film-making Read Less