Imaginative, versatile, calm under pressure. 22 years as freelance p/d. More than 70 docs and factual programmes for C4, BBC1, BBC2, ITV, Discovery US + Europe, Nat Geo, PBS, Arte about history, science, environment, arts, people, anthropology, travel. Genres include commentary driven, presenter-led, observational, drama reconstruction.
I became a film maker because I was/am fascinated by photorgaphy (I've had solo photo shows in galleries in London and Argentina) but always wondered what was going on beyond the frame. I have a good eye and the look of my films look is hugely important to me.
The other key to my work is insatiable curiosity about people and issues. This is why I hate to be pigeon-holed into one genre or subject area and the most interesting film is always the one I'm working on - no matter what it's about. Other strengths are scripting and marshalling information to create compelling narratives. To take one example, in 2006 I made a one hour drama doc for Discovery, Arte and NHK about the 15th century Chinese seafarer, Zheng He. I took the project over from a senior former Nat Geo p/d who got lost in the complexities of a story that addressed many different themes. After some fast-track learning, discussions with historians, writing a new script, some additional filming, and a complete re-cut, the film was shortlisted as best factual programme at the Asia TV Awards.
I've made many films in challenging circumstances, including films about Maasai elders, Samí reindeer herders, Argentinian gauchos. I've also climbed volcanoes to film stinking vents for a film about the volcanoes in Montserrat and Guadelupe. Other films include one about the Japanese fear of tsunamis (largely filmed where this year's tsunami struck), films about writers e.g. Patricia Cornwell and Mario Vargas Llosa, about travel and several highly regarded series for Channel 4 about gardeners and garden history. Apart from that, I have made one hour docs and drama docs about science for major US and European broadcasters and a feature length doc about the history and daily life of St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle, which was Tangent's first production.
Another key insight into my work is that none of the films or series I have produced and directed have been formulaic. Each has required a fresh approach and some have used innovative narrative devices - e.g. extracts from letters rather than commentary and a combination of dramatic reconstructions, actuality and CGI. I have worked with experienced and first-time presenters and also made docs with multiple presenters and specialist contributors.
I am currently developing a doc for cinema about a radical approach for a global climate deal devised by a musician turned maverick environmentalist. It's ambitious and will combine actuality with 2D Flash animation and on-screen musical performance, but I'm determined to make it work. I have in principle agreements with Tal Gadon (lead animator, Waltz with Bashir) and some leading world musicians to get involved. All sounds great, but we don't yet have the funding... I am therefore setting up a company limited by guarantee, registered as a charity, (www.candcfoundation.org) which, among other activities, will fundraise for and produce the film - which I believe can have a useful influence on climate policy makers world-wide.
Over the last few years I have worked mainly through Tangent Films, a company I set up with colleagues in 1998, but I also take on projects with other companies. Tangent has specialised in making films about major architectural developments and films about artists and musicians for the Kings Place Music Foundation. Unfortunately, the recession has hit both these strands. For more info and clips see www.tangentfilms.com
Experience and sound film making instincts mean I can make the most of actuality situations as a director, or self-shooter on EX3, Z1, DSR 570 etc. and I have shot most of Tangent's output over in recent years.