About Me
I'm a producer, production manager and TV executive, with more than 25 years of TV experience. I've worked across docs, food, fact ent, education, live studio, social action and short dramas for terrestrial, satellite and international broadcasters. I've also run a YouTube-commissioned channel. Over the past year I've series produced and production managed a 13 part cookery series, produced a short drama in British Sign Language
I'm a producer, production manager and TV executive, with more than 25 years of TV experience. I've worked across docs, food, fact ent, education, live studio, social action and short dramas for terrestrial, satellite and international broadcasters. I've also run a YouTube-commissioned channel. Over the past year I've series produced and production managed a 13 part cookery series, produced a short drama in British Sign Language for the NSPCC, and produced & production managed more than 20 digital shorts for corporate clients. I've also exec produced a science series for Deaf children.
I'm calm, confident and and always full of enthusiasm and ideas. I can be flexible about where I'm based. I'm a safe pair of hands, have great contacts and lots of creativity. I love telly, and I really enjoy my work.
Credits
Rachel's Coastal Cooking
(Jan
2015
-
Jan
2015)
LSPTV
Series Producer
Rachel Allen hits the road in this series which sees her cooking outdoors and meeting incredible people around Ireland's stunning coastline. I series produced and production managed, as well as seeing the series through the edit.
Quest for The Best
(Jan
2015
-
Jan
2015)
LSPTV
Producer
Online campaign with TV Chef Andy Bates for Debbie&Andrew's Sausages - a series of films including recipes, tips and profiles of groups who are "harvest heroes" for their community growing schemes.
WCMC Your Health First
(Jan
2015
-
Jan
2015)
LSPTV
Producer
A series of animations promoting healthy eating to be shown in cinemas in Qatar.
NSPCC "PANTS" Campaign
(Jan
2015
-
Jan
2015)
LSPTV/Bim Ajadi
Producer
A short online drama in British Sign Language to get the "PANTS" message across to Deaf children. Made for the NSPCC.
Heineken VTs
(Month
2014
-
Month
2014)
ITN Productions
Senior Producer
Producing a series of VTs, as well as news idents, for a corporate event, delivered in the style of three live news bulletins plus a Question Time panel. Overseeing the production of motion graphics, report-style VTs, a 'video wall' installation, a series of re-edits, and sound design.
World's Greatest Talent
(Month
2014
-
Month
2014)
Renegade Pictures
Casting Producer
Casting talent for a global entertainment series, and also for an international panel of vloggers and voters.
Rachel Allen: All Things Sweet
(Month
2014
-
Month
2014)
Liverpool Street Productions
Production Manager
13 part series for RTE and UKTV, shot in Ireland
Guinness World Records: OMG!
(Month
2013
-
Month
2013)
Across The Pond
Edit Producer
Guinness World Records: OMG! is a major new YouTube channel - one of the first OP channels commissioned by YouTube in the UK. I edit produced more than 250 x 5-7 minute episodes.
Punk Chef
(Month
2013
-
Month
2013)
BSLBT (production company - Remark!)
Executive Producer
Punk Chef is a half hour fact ent show in British Sign Language, broadcast on Film Four and the Community Channel for British Sign Language Broadcasting Trust. I am exec'ing for BSLBT and also mentoring a number of Deaf film-makers who are participating in a scheme to enhance their executive production skills.
The Wow Show (working title)
(Month
2013
-
Month
2013)
Renegade Pictures
Casting Producer
Working with a casting AP, I have been putting together a series of briefs and taster tape for new a fact ent show.
Guinness World Records: Gamers Livestream
(Month
2013
-
Month
2013)
Across The Pond
Producer
A multi-camera livestream featuring popular YouTubers setting new Guinness World Records titles. Directed by Steve Smith and presented by Iyare, the 40 minute live event was a cornerstone of YouTube's Geek Week. The show had a live audience of 20,000 - the highest for any livestream from YouTube's London studio, and amassed 200,000 views in three days.
Genevieve's Beautiful Food
(Month
2013
-
Month
2013)
Genevieve Taylor
Producer
Two taster films made with the chef, gardener and author Genevieve Taylor. One showcasing fresh garden ingredients combined with eggs from her backyard hens; the other demonstrating simple food styling techniques to make dishes a feast for the eyes as well as the stomach.
Barclaycard Shop Talk
(Month
2013
-
Month
2013)
Across The Pond
Producer
Studio producing a four part online series, recorded as-live for same day upload. Multi-camera studio shows, directed by Steve Smith, Michael Matheson and Geraldine Dowd and presented by Andrea McLean, Julia Bradbury, Ben Shephard and Ruth Langsford. This innovative branded content chatshow was embedded within Mumsnet.
Development
(Month
2012
-
Month
2012)
Running Bare Pictures
Development Producer
I have been developing new features and fact ent treatements for Running Bare Picures, focusing on talent-led ideas.
Rachel Allen's Cake Diaries
(Month
2012
-
Month
2012)
Sweet TV
Series Producer
'Rachel Allen's Cake Diaries' is a personal look at how cakes play a part in a life full of family and friends. Each themed show is packed with four fantastic cake recipes. A 13 part series for RTE and UK TV Good Food. I produced the series, including the kitchen shoot, directed the VT inserts, and edit produced.
Andy Bates American Street Feasts
(Month
2012
-
Month
2012)
Sweet TV
Producer
Andy Bates is known for his hearty, traditional British street food which he sells on his market stall in London. Now he's heading to the home of the street food revolution, the USA, to meet and learn from the people who are taking mobile food to a whole new level. A 15 part series for Food Network UK. I produced the location VT inserts for the first eight episodes in America, and I produced the kitchen shoot.
Guinness World Records: OMG!
(Month
2012
-
Month
2012)
Across The Pond
Production Manager
Guinness World Records: OMG! is a major new YouTube channel - one of the first OP channels commissioned by YouTube in the UK. I production managed and edit produced across five series of 52 episodes each, which were shot in the UK and internationally.
Eden Fields
(Month
2011
-
Month
2011)
Redbird Media / Freewheelers Theatre
Producer
A non-broadcast film-based project exploring accessibility and engineering, with the inclusive theatre company The Freewheelers and funding from the Royal Academy of Engineering.
Casablanca Calling
(Month
2011
-
Month
2011)
Redbird Media
Development Producer
A feature documentary exploring the impact of the Morchidat - female Islamic spiritual leaders - on communities in Morocco. Development funding obtained from the EU Media fund, as well as the CBA and various grant-making bodies.
Donor Unknown
(Month
2011
-
Month
2011)
Redbird Media / Met Film
Outreach (online) producer
A feature documentary following the intriguing story of a maverick father and the donor-conceived children who want to find him in order to discover who they really are. Karen was "outreach" producer, producing the online content and cinematic screenings, and production managing the project for Redbird. More4 UK/Arte France/Cinereach. Met Film/Redbird co-production. Also includes support from the Wellcome Trust.
The Dog and the Palace
(Month
2011
-
Month
2011)
Redbird Media / Gary Thomas
Producer
A split-screen arts installation by disabled film-maker Gary Thomas, exploring the inspirational impact of the Olympics on a young boy who gets swept up in national pride. The drama will be screened at big screens at public "Live Sites" during the Olympics. Arts Council
Deaf Sisterhood
(Month
2011
-
Month
2011)
Redbird Media for BSLBT
Producer
An exploration of Islam through the eyes of a young Deaf woman in British Sign Language. Dubbed and subtitled. BSLBT - Community Channel/FilmFour
Lorraine's Last Minute Christmas
(Month
2011
-
Month
2011)
Running Bare Pictures
Producer
One hour special for the BBC with popular chef and author Lorraine Pascale. Lorraine creates tasty seasonal dishes, beautiful edible gifts, and delicious drinks. And she shows how to cook up a stress-free feast, even if you have left everything until the last minute.
How To Guides
(Month
2010
-
Month
2010)
Redbird Media / Screen South
Producer
A series of short films designed to inform and inspire disabled film-makers. Screen South/U-Screens
A Tale of Two Nurses
(Month
2009
-
Month
2009)
Resource Base (Redbird)
Development Producer
A Media funded development following the contrasting stories of nurses in Malawi who face a stark choice - to take their skills and earning potential to the West, or to remain in Africa. EU- Media
The Time of Their Lives
(Month
2009
-
Month
2009)
Resource Base (Redbird) / Certain Pictures
Production Manager
A provocative feature documentary which opens up the surprising world of a small group of passionate, angry, young centenarians and the intriguing place they call home. BBC Storyville.
Women in the Madrassa
(Month
2009
-
Month
2009)
Resource Base (Redbird)
Producer
A 30 minute radio documentary for BBC World Service about the work of the Morchidat, Morocco's first female Muslim preachers.
Music On My Mind
(Month
2008
-
Month
2008)
Resource Base (Redbird)
Producer
A 60 minute documentary for BBC Radio 2. DJ Iyare sets out to explore the rich and complex relationship between music and the mind.
ITV Fixers
(Month
2008
-
Month
2008)
Resource Base (Redbird)/Public Service Broadcasting Trust
Online Producer
A multi-media community project for young people with the Public Service Broadcasting Trust. Redbird helped to set up and maintain the project website, providing creative support to enable young people to make videos, develop websites and produce printed resources.
Losing You
(Month
2007
-
Month
2007)
Resource Base (Redbird)
Producer
A 30-minute documentary for 1Xtra featuring several powerful personal stories of coping with bereavement, particularly at Christmas time.
The Devil's Alliance
(Month
2007
-
Month
2007)
Resource Base (Redbird)
Producer
A drama written by Alastair Jessiman follows the developing prison friendship of Bounce and Mickey, until TB is diagnosed. The play raises dilemmas to be discussed in science and ethics. Wellcome Trust.
In Search of the Devil
(Month
2007
-
Month
2007)
Resource Base (Redbird)
Producer
A two part series for the BBC World Service, presented by Toby Amies, tracing the changing image of the devil and his continuing influence on our lives.
All About Me
(Month
2007
-
Month
2007)
Resource Base (Redbird)
Production Accountant
An hour-long BAFTA nominated drama about family secrets, teenage identity and the impact of sperm donation, made for BBC Daytime and BBC Education
The Day The Tag Came Off
(Month
2006
-
Month
2006)
Resource Base (Redbird)
Producer
A 1Xtra documentary exploring the perspective and experiences of Stephen - out of custody and on electronic tag - and his family.
Live From Iraq
(Month
2006
-
Month
2006)
Resource Base (Redbird)
Producer
1Xtra documentary exploring the experiences of Big Neal, Sergeant Saunders, who recorded a rap album in Iraq.
No More Yellow Envelopes
(Month
2006
-
Month
2006)
Resource Base (Redbird)
Producer
A short Radio 4 programme celebrating the special qualities of Kodachrome Super 8 and marking its demise along with the symbolic yellow envelopes.
Vee TV
(Month
2006
-
Month
2006)
Resource Base (Redbird)/Maverick
Researcher Trainer
12 x 30 minute factual entertainment series for young Deaf people, made with an integrated production team and presented in British Sign Language. Channel 4.
Picture of Hull
(Month
2005
-
Month
2005)
Resource Base (Redbird)
Production Manager
A half-hour documentary for the Picture of Britain series, focusing on the work of John Godber and the influence of Hull on his work. BBC.
Oddsquad
(Month
2005
-
Month
2005)
Resource Base (Redbird)
Production Accountant
A double BAFTA-winning drama for the BBC written and directed by John Godber. Filmed entirely on location in Hull, it tells the story of Zach, Ellie and Joe, three 16 year old outsiders, struggling with problems in their own lives and finding ways of coping.
Colour Coded
(Month
2005
-
Month
2005)
Resource Base (Redbird)
Producer
A Wellcome Trust funded project, centred around a group of young people in Handsworth, and using music and film to explore the science of skin colour.
POV
(Month
2004
-
Month
2004)
Resource Base (Redbird)
Producer
2 Tough Crew, Good to be Bad, Hard to be Good, and Fool and the Gang are three 10 minute dramas for BBC Education on emotional literacy.
Changemakers
(Month
2004
-
Month
2004)
Resource Base (Redbird)/Meridian Broadcasting Trust
Researcher/AP
A series of news items for Meridian about social entrepreneurs. Public Service Broadcasting Trust
03 and Me
(Month
2003
-
Month
2003)
Resource Base (Redbird)
Producer
A Picture This award-winning series of four short films in which disabled people reflect on changes in their lives, their sense of identity and what gets them up in the morning. Shown on Channel 4 to mark the European Year of Disabled People.
Lottery Cashback
(Month
2003
-
Month
2003)
Resource Base (Redbird)/Meridian Broadcasting Trust
Researcher/AP
A series of news items for Meridian TV following community groups who have received Lottery funding, and explaining how groups can apply. Public Service Broadcasting Trust
Without You
(Month
2003
-
Month
2003)
Resource Base (Redbird)
Production Accountant
A single documentary focusing on young people's experience of bereavement and loss. Channel 4.
World of Difference
(Month
2003
-
Month
2003)
Resource Base (Redbird)
Producer
A 3 x 30 minute series following young people at work with communities in Bolivia, Cambodia and Gambia on 3 development projects which will change the lives of everyone involved. Channel 4. Nominated for a One World Media Award.
Lion Mountain and Who Cares?
(Month
2002
-
Month
2002)
Resource Base (Redbird)
Production Accountant
Lion Mountain was a One World and BAFTA award-winning drama exploring the experiences of two young refugees from Sierra Leone. BBC.
Who Cares? was a short drama about Kieran, 11, struggling to care for his grandmother and compensate for his mother's casual neglect. BBC.
Strong Language
(Month
1999
-
Month
1999)
Resource Base (Redbird)
Production Manager
Nominated for a BAFTA award, and a winner in the Japan Prize and the Prix Jeunesse, Strong Language is the story of Zoe, who is fifteen, Deaf, and fighting to establish her identity and independence in the hearing world. Channel 4
Spotlight
(Month
1991
-
Month
1991)
Resource Base (Redbird)/Meridian Broadcasting Trust
Audience Researcher
1991 - 2001 Annual two-hour live audience programmes on social issues, followed a week later by a one-hour live debate. Over 10 years covered topics such as hearing loss, visual impairment, being a carer, ageing, and reducing debt. As well as doing audience research I researched and produced VT inserts.
Employment History
2011 onwards: Freelance Producer and Production Manager
1991 - 2011: Company Director and Producer for Redbird (formerly Resource Base)
1989 - 1991: TVS Researcher and Writer
1988 - 1989: Workhouse Television Researcher and Writer
1987 - 1988: Centaur Publishing Reporter
Skills
People and production management.
Programme producing for both TV and radio. Documentaries and dramas.
Writing pitches, treatments and tenders.
Budgeting, cash flow and programme accounting using Excel.
Small business management.
Fundraising and accounting for grant funding, including EU Media funding.
Recording and editing sound for radio programmes, using a Marantz and Protools, as well as Sony
People and production management.
Programme producing for both TV and radio. Documentaries and dramas.
Writing pitches, treatments and tenders.
Budgeting, cash flow and programme accounting using Excel.
Small business management.
Fundraising and accounting for grant funding, including EU Media funding.
Recording and editing sound for radio programmes, using a Marantz and Protools, as well as Sony Vegas.
Voice over and dubbing direction.
Casting and negotiation with agents.
Filming with a variety of cameras, including the Z1, EX1, V1, and 5D.
Editing with Final Cut Pro.
Also skilled in the use of Photoshop, Illustrator, In-Design for print work.
Building and maintaining websites using Dreamweaver and Joomla CMS. Working knowledge of CSS.
British Sign Language Level One.
Education
1977 - 1982 Thornden Comprehensive: 11 O'levels - three A grades; seven B grades; one C grade.
1982 - 1984 Barton Peveril 6th Form: Three A grade A'levels in English Literature, History and Business Studies
1984 - 1987 Reading University: Philosophy BA (Hons) First Class
Industry Awards
RTS
Young People Now
Picture This
Also worked on three BAFTA-winning dramas
