Page title Name
Sarah Burton-McCabe
Producer/Director, DV Director
England

Sarah's Biography

I'm a highly experienced bilingual self-shooting PD. I cover raw actuality to an extremely high standard, have a great eye for composition, can get the best out of even the most reticent contributors and can turn difficult situations around, coming out with a strong and well covered narrative. If the budget allows it, I also love to direct crew.

My latest series to air was on BBC2, "When Romeo met Juliet", is an obs doc meets Arts series, where two wildly different schools perform Shakespeare's most famous play under the guidance of the no nonsense and visionary director of the NYT. Its a great example of how well I can cover unpredictable raw drama to a very high standard.

I have also just finished filming "The Farm" for BBC2. Like "The Restaurant", here the apprentices compete to run a farm for a year under the mentorship of Jimmy Doherty. Again I was chosen for my shooting ability, sound editorial judgement and good contributor rapport.

In the seven years that I've been directing, I've specialised in constructed and observational documentaries. I've predominantly
shot and directed 6x60 minute films, many 45 minuters and countless 30min episodes. 

I'm fluent in Spanish and speak good French. I spent a year working as a psychologist on domestic violence and rape cases in Peru and taught psychology at the University in Lima. Quite a testing experience, I feel I'm more than equipped to handle tough subject matter.

I'm well read and have a broad range of interests meaning I'm interested in most documentary topics. I also maintain a sense of humour throughout.

I love travel and am happy to work in the UK or abroad. I've lived and worked in South America, the South Pacific, Africa and Asia.

Credits

The Farm - Splash Media , United Kingdom
2010 - Producer/Director (Self-shooting)
Like "The Restaurant", in this adventurous BBC2 observational documentary series Jimmy Doherty is the mentor and his apprentices compete to win a farm.
Directed and shot on DSR for 5x60 minute episodes.

Nature's Miracle Babies - BBC , United Kingdom
2010 - Producer/Director (Self-shooting)
Natural history observational documentary about those battling to save animals on the brink of extinction. Featuring presenter Martin Hughes-Games.

Directed presenter. Shot on DSR450 in sub zero temperatures in Russia looking for the rarest cat in the world, the Amur Leopard and I translated and got up close to the extremely rare Iberian Lynx in Spain.


When Romeo met Juliet - BBC , United Kingdom
2009 - Producer/Director (Self-shooting)
An Arts commissioned obs doc where two wildly different schools are challenged to jointly put on Romeo and Juliet. Mentors and experts help out in this 3x60min series for BBC2. Filmed half the series on XDcam.

Young Mums' Mansion - The Dads Arrive - Love , England
2009 - Producer/Director
Social experiment to see if single parents and their kids are better off living in a commune.
Directed 2x60 min episodes. Directed up to ten crews/operators and a cast of 22.



Vets in Action - Endemol , England
2008 - Producer/Director (Self-shooting)

A fly on the wall veterinary series billed as the real life "All Creatures Great and Small.
Self shot on DSR450 and Z1. Filmed 20 individual stories in 3 weeks.



Shipwrecked - The Third Island - RDF , Cook Islands
2008 - Producer/Director (Self-shooting)

Reality doc about youngsters living on a deserted island in the pacific.
Lead PD on the Third Island. Self-shot on DSR570 and directed DV shooters.



Employment History

Oct '08 - March '09
Producer/Director
Young Mums' Mansion - The Dads Arrive
Love Productions for BBC3
Social experiment to see if single parents and their kids are better off living in a commune.
Directed 2x60min episodes. Directed up to ten crews/operators and a cast of 22.

June '08 - July '08
Producer/ DV Director
Vets on Call - Endemol for C5
A fly on the wall series billed to be the real life
"All Creatures Great and Small", where vets treat emergencies.
Self shooting on DSR450 and Z1.

Jan '08 - May '08
On Sabbatical Travelling in Asia.

PRODUCER/DV DIRECTOR
Shipwrecked. The 3rd Island - RDF for C4
Aug - Nov '07
A grittier version of the reality show about youngsters living on a deserted island in the pacific. The third island was shot in the old school laissez faire obs doc tradition.

PRODUCER/DV DIRECTOR
Mi Vida Loca - BBC for BBC Learning Zone and BBC Languages Online
May - July '07
An interactive drama set in Spain and shot in the style of a computer game.
Self shot on DSR570. Wrote plot and scripts. Had to shoot the film entirely in POV and so it could be clipped and made interactive.

PRODUCER/DV DIRECTOR
The Scam Squad - Talkback for BBC3 - 2x30min
Jan - May '07
Investigative obs doc with undercover filming. Followed trading standards officers.
Self shot on Z1, used Arcos covert cameras.

PRODUCER/DV DIRECTOR
A Place in the Wild - Cheetah for ITV - 2x60min
July - Nov '06
Primetime obs doc depicting the dangerous work of a Kenyan game ranger.
Self-shot on DSR 570, 2nd camera on Z1. Some crew shot material on Digibeta. Multicamera shoots using lipstick and minicams. 2 months filming in Kenya.

PRODUCER/DV DIRECTOR
Seaside Rescue - BBC in house for BBC1 - 1x60min
April 2006 - June 2006
BBC primetime flagship obs doc following the British Coastal Rescue services.
Shooting with DSR 570, Sony Z1, X1, PD170 and minicams. Overseeing multicamera shoots.

PRODUCER/DV DIRECTOR
Desperate Midwives - BBC for BBC3 - 2x30min
Sept 2005 - March 2006
An obs doc following midwives and the amazing drama of birth. Shot on SONY Z1. Required very sensitive handling.

PRODUCER/DV DIRECTOR
Wedding Stories - BBC in house for BBC3
August 2005
An obs doc charting the highs and lows in the lead up to weddings. Shot brides' stories using the SONY Z1.

PRODUCER/DIRECTOR
Get Rich Quick - Talkback for ITV - 1x45min
May - July 2005
An obs doc where mentors coach wannabe entrepreneurs. All crew shot.

PRODUCER/ DV DIRECTOR
Mum's on Strike - Lion TV for ITV - 2x45min
Jan - April 2005
Factual entertainment series where worn out wives leave husbands to deal with the kids. Shot material for 7x45min shows on the DSR570.

PRODUCER/DIRECTOR
Beat the Burglar - Lion TV for BBC1 - 4x45mins
Sept - Nov 2004
Formatted home security series. An ex-offender tests the security of people's houses by burgling them. Shot with digibeta crew, DV and spycams.

PRODUCER
Cash In The Attic - Leopard for BBC1 - 2x60mins
August 2004
A format antiques series presented by Alistair Appleton.

PRODUCER/DV DIRECTOR
Passport To The Sun - Lion TV for BBC1 - 4x30mins
June - Dec 2003
An obs doc following holidaymakers and ex-pats in the Balearics. Two months filming overseas. Shot 30 stories.

PRODUCER/DV DIRECTOR
DIPEX charity promo video
May 2003
A promotional video presented by Jon Snow on the work of DIPEX (a medical research charity).

PRODUCER/DIRECTOR
To Catch A Thief - Lion TV for BBC1 - 1x30min
Jan - April 2003
Controversial formatted home security series. Shot with digi crew and 10 minicams. Involved multicamera directing.

EDIT PRODUCER/DV OPERATOR
Passport To The Sun - Lion TV for BBC1 - 3x30mins
July - Dec `02
An obs doc shot in the Balearics. DV Directed stories, shot 2nd camera, found contributors, translated.

ASSISTANT PRODUCER
Miracle Cures - Lion TV for Discovery - 6x30mins
March - July '02
A pioneering medicine series. Directed crew, cut a taster tape, researched doctors, patients and medical content, facilitated shoots.

ASSISTANT PRODUCER
Luther - Lion TV for BBC 2 & PBS (Winner of a CINE Golden Eagle) - 2x50mins
Sept '01 - Feb '02
An historical docu-drama about the Reformation with Timothy West and Liam Neeson. Researched locations, academics, historical content, cast extras, and facilitated UK and international shoots.

RESEARCHER
Passport To The Sun - Lion for BBC1 - 30x30min
July '01 - Sept '01
An observational documentary series shot in the Balearics. On location for 10 weeks. Sourced contributors, shot 2nd camera, translated and facilitated.

RESEARCHER
Science Quiz - Lion TV for Discovery
June - July '01
A studio based science quiz hosted by Dr Phil Hammond. Researched content and participants, helped devise format.

RESEARCHER/FIXER
The Heat is on - Lion TV for BBC 1 - 6x30mins
May - June `01
A reality survival series in the Scottish Highlands and the Amazon Jungle. On location for five weeks, Spanish translating, prop sourcing and fixing.

RESEARCHER
DIY Disasters - Lion TV for ITV - 3x30mins
Jan - March 01
Format series presented by Fern Britton where secret filming exposes rubbish DIYers. Researched contributors, locations and DIY challenges.

Education

1995-1999 University of Exeter
2.1. BA Hons in Psychology with European Studies
in Spanish

1997-1998 Universidad Cayetano Heredia, Peru
Worked as a trainee psychologist in schools, hospitals and orphanages. Taught university undergraduates psychology (in Spanish).

1988-1995 Haberdashers Askes Girls School.
3 x As at A level; English, French and Spanish.
AS Economics and 9 GCSEs.

Technical Equipment

Sharp at shooting with XDcam, DSR 570, 450, Sony HDV Z1 and minicams.
Adept at secret filming.
Able to rig any remote camera onto almost anything.

Referees

Toni Williamson - Splash Media - 0207 255 5434

Annie Heather at BBC Bristol
main switchboard; 0117 973 2211

Industry Awards

Luther received a CINE Golden Eagle award.

Skills

A sense of humour throughout.
Fluent in Spanish and French.
Experience in overseas shoots and extensive overseas travel.
BBC 4x4 Driving Course completed.
Produced and directed "Pterodactyls" at the 1999 Edinburgh Fringe Festival
Senior International Lacrosse Player.

Additional Information

Industries

  • Corporate, 
  • TV

Programme Types

  • Business, 
  • Comedy, 
  • Current Affairs, 
  • Daytime, 
  • Development, 
  • Documentary, 
  • Docusoap, 
  • Drama: Short Film, 
  • Dramatised Documentary, 
  • Education, 
  • Entertainment, 
  • Health, 
  • Historical Documentary, 
  • Investigative, 
  • Music, 
  • Natural History, 
  • New Media, 
  • Observational Documentary, 
  • Reality TV, 
  • Religion, 
  • Science, 
  • Social Action, 
  • Travel, 
  • Youth

Organizations

  • BECTU

Specialisms

  • Africa, 
  • Animal welfare, 
  • Anthropology, 
  • Arts, 
  • Cars, 
  • China, 
  • Cinema/Film, 
  • Crime, 
  • Current Affairs, 
  • Football, 
  • Gay & Lesbian, 
  • Health, 
  • History, 
  • Interactive TV, 
  • Journalism, 
  • Languages, 
  • Latin America, 
  • Literature, 
  • Location Filming, 
  • Medicine, 
  • Mental Health, 
  • Music, 
  • Natural History, 
  • Parenting, 
  • Photography, 
  • Police, 
  • Popular Culture, 
  • Programme Development, 
  • Programme Formatting, 
  • Psychology, 
  • Science, 
  • Sexuality, 
  • Social Anthropology, 
  • Social Issues, 
  • Sociology, 
  • South East Asia, 
  • Sport, 
  • Theatre, 
  • Tourism, 
  • Travel, 
  • Undercover Investigation, 
  • Wildlife, 
  • Writing, 
  • Youth Culture, 
  • Zoology

Languages

  • French, 
  • Spanish

Licenses

  • Basic Driving (PLG)