NIALL STRAWSON
PRODUCER DIRECTOR
Seeking adventure and good stories to tell
BIO
My Story
Producer Director - Factual TV
I love storytelling and yielding the power the media has to open people’s eyes, and to make them stop and think. I have mostly worked in Natural History and Science programming however I have also worked in children’s, digital and factual entertainment.
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I love to produce programmes with heart and purpose, and with time I aspire to work in commissioning to help craft the voice of the TV landscape.
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I am an upbeat exuberant person with varied interests ranging from painting and cooking, to the environment and social justice. One consistent theme in my life has been my love of nature and travel and luckily enough I have forged a career in TV doing just that.
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Prior to my career in TV, I have worked in academia, zoos, and international biodiversity conservation policy. Starting off in print journalism, I moved to broadcasting and filmmaking 7 years ago. I begun my media career as a TV Presenter, I then moved into editorial, where I am today.
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Alongside my TV work I am a passionate advocate for disabled people manifested through various committees, public speaking, accessibility audits and educating workplaces.
After a winter sports accident 15 years ago, I became a wheelchair user. I’ve never let it hold me back, and I have proved that my disability is no barrier to my life nor my career.
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MY EXPERIENCE
Roles & Responsibilities
March 2023 - Dec 2023
ASSISTANT PRODUCER
ATTENBOROUGH AND THE GIANT SEA MONSTER
BBC Studios
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AP producing a fast turnaround BBC One project whereby Sir David Attenborough and a team of palaeontologists investigate a globally important discovery. Set up and produced a high-value international VFX shoot. Shoot set up, logistics and directing for various UK locations.
April 2022 - Jan 2023
ASSISTANT PRODUCER
LION
BBC Studios
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AP on a blue-chip multi-part series chronicling the lives of a single pride of lions over a 4 year filming period. Responsible for researching, setting up shoots and field directing across the series.
Aug 2021 - April 2022
ASSISTANT PRODUCER
NHU DEVELOPMENT
BBC Studios
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AP creating a diverse slate of ideas in development for both for BBC output and international SVOD providers.
Dec 2020 -April 2021
ASSISTANT PRODUCER
WHEN NATURE CALLS (WITH HELEN MIRREN)
BBC Studios
AP for archive show. Responsible for coordinating archive sourcing, writing editorial, checking compliance and managing the delivery of a package of Natural history clips to USA client.
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July 2020 - Aug 2021
ASSISTANT PRODUCER
BIG BEASTS
Plimsoll Productions
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AP for a global blue chip natural history series. Responsible for research, coordinating and directing shoots across 2 episodes in India and Tanzania.
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April 2020- July 2020
ASSISTANT PRODUCER
WALK ON THE WILD SIDE
BBC WORLDWIDE
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AP for the revival of WOTWS for multiple territories. Responsible for coordinating archive sourcing, writing editorial, checking compliance and managing the delivery of a package of 25 hours of NHU clips to clients across multiple global markets.
PUBLIC SPEAKING
I am a regular guest speaker at panels and industry events, where I speak about my experience as a disabled filmmaker who travels to remote locations producing high end documentaries.
-The University of Oxford - The University of Cambridge - Goethe Institute - BBC - Wildscreen Festival -
EDITORIAL
Producer Director in Natural History and Specialist Factual
PIONEER
Disabled Wildlife Filmmaker and Industry Advocate for Diversity
ON LOCATION
Field Director
EDUCATION
My Studies
Sept 2007- May 2008
MSC BIODIVERSITY AND CONSERVATION
University of Leeds
Pass with Merit
Sept 1999 - June 2001
BSC NEUROSCIENCE
University of Edinburgh
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CONTACT ME
