The home of Steve Bonser, Freelance Series Producer and Director
 
 
 

Stephen Bonser – Curriculum Vitae

Personal Profile

With 20 years’ cross-genre TV experience, I possess the skills and knowledge for producing TV content of the highest standard for a wide variety of audiences. My particular interests lie in the fields of cookery, science, engineering, music and motoring.

My ability to energize talent and crew ensures that every production is a creative, fun and enjoyable experience for everyone involved. I’m a level-headed Series Director and possess a strong understanding of the visual and editorial demands of programme making, including script writing and edit producing. My self-shooting skills are particularly strong across a wide range of cameras and a passion for travel and a valid i-visa has taken me to many corners of the globe.

To further my content-making opportunities I set up a small independent production company. This has allowed me to not only direct and produce music videos but has also given me the freedom to pitch and successfully land a funded cookery pilot with Channel Four as well as secure development funding for a motoring documentary, currently in development.

Series Producer & Director


ITV4 ‘Cornish Car Hunters; Studio Ramsay (2 x 60’) - 2019-2020

  • Series Produced and Directed this two part broadcast pilot for ITV.
  • Responsible for developing this new car show format, producing new talent and securing access.
  • Edit Produced the two shows, scripting and creating a new returnable format
  • Chief Creative Officer: Lisa Edwards. Executive Producer: Tom Willis. Commissioner: Amanda Stavri


Series Director


BBC2 ‘Inside The Factory’ Series 5; Voltage TV (8 x 60’) - 2018-2019

  • Series Directed this highly successful specialist factual series for BBC2.
  • Responsible for logistics, scripting and directing a large team, including two presenters and three cameras.
  • Executive Producer: Amanda Lyons. Series Producer: Michael Rees.


UKTV ‘Lazy Boy Garage’; October Films (10 x 30’)

  • Series Directed and self-shot this new motoring series for UKTV.
  • Responsible for creating a look and style for a series made on an incredibly tight budget.
  • Assisted in developing the format points, schedules and scripts for the series alongside the Series Producer.
  • Executive Producer: Gareth Cornick. SP: Laura Offer. Commissioner: Joe McVey


BBC2 'Britain's Ultimate Pilots - Inside The RAF'; Archie Productions (4 X 60') - 2015

  • Series directed this prime-time documentary series about the RAF display pilots
  • Developed the format, schedule and scripted the series from day one alongside the Exec Producer
  • Worked with the RAF to gain unprecedented access to the various display teams and pilots
  • Organised the filming of large scale events and directed multiple camera crews
  • Edit produced the final episode and oversaw the other edits alongside the Exec
  • Executive Producer: Jenny Cole. Commissioner: Lindsay Bradbury


Founding Director BonBon Films

  • Co-directed a new start up Production company, specialising in Factual programming.
  • Currently producing a funded pilot for a new motoring documentary series.
  • Developed and shot a funded cookery pilot for C4
  • Currently developing a wide range of new talent led formats
  • Scripted, Directed and Edit Produced a music video for an up and coming rock band.


Producer Director



C5 'Building Britain's Canals – The Grand Union'; Elephant House Productions (1 x 60') - 2018

  • Scripted, directed, self-shot and edit produced an episode of this three part documentary series.
  • Executive Producer: Jeff Anderson. Series Producer: Graham Cooper. Commissioner: Adrian Padmore.


National Geographic / More 4 'Car SOS' Series 1-6; Renegade Pictures (13 x 60') - 2012-2018

  • Directed, scripted and produced this presenter-led, classic car restoration series across 6 seasons.
  • Crew and self-shot, using the Sony FS7 and PMW300.
  • Series Producer: Stephen Taylor-Woodrow. Commissioner: Carolyn Payne.


C5 'World's Greatest Bridges' Series 2; Elephant House Productions (1 x 60') - 2017

  • Edit produced an episode of this popular engineering series.
  • Series Producer: Graham Cooper.


C4 'Jamie and Jimmy's Friday Night Feast Series 5'; Jamie Oliver Productions - 2017

  • Scripted and directed twelve DIY Food VT’s with presenter Jimmy Doherty
  • Managed a team of up to 15 crew and production on location
  • Multi-camera directed three cameras, shooting on Amira’s
  • Executive Producer: Sam Beddoes. Series Producer: Dunk Barnes. Commissioner: Sarah Lazenby


C5 'Billionaire Babies'; Elephant House Productions (2 x 60') - 2017

  • Directed on this two-part documentary about the services industry for the super wealthy
  • Scripted and self-shot on the Sony FS7 and PMW300
  • Series Producer: Kyle Prince



National Geographic / 'More 4 Car SOS' Series 1-5; Renegade Pictures (11 x 60') - 2012-2017

  • Directed, scripted and produced this presenter-led, classic car restoration series across 5 seasons
  • Crew and self-shot, using the Sony FS7 and PMW300
  • Series Producer: Stephen Taylor-Woodrow. Commissioner: Carolyn Payne


C5 'How The Other Half Lives' Series 2; Spun Gold TV (6 x 60') - 2016

  • Produced, directed and self-shot this Fact Ent programme working with two prime time presenters
  • Secured filming access with high net worth individuals, filming in both the UK and US
  • Executive Producer: Fintan Maguire. Series Producer: John Bonny


UKTV 'World's Most Talented'; Renegade Pictures. (1 x 60') - 2014

  • Scripted and directed an episode of this world-wide talent show, filming in Japan
  • Worked with crew and a presenter within a logistically complex shoot
  • Executive Producer: Suzanne Readwin. Series Producer: Jaime Brannan


National Geographic 'Ultimate Airport – Dubai Series 2'; Arrow Media. (10 x 60') - 2014

  • Directed crew and self-shot on this ambitious observational documentary series
  • Based entirely on location in Dubai, shooting on Sony F800 with a Sound Recordist
  • Executive Producer: Nick Metcalfe. Series Producer: Craig Blackhurst


ITV1 'Hunting The Doorstep Conman'; Tiger Aspect. (2 x 60') - 2013

  • Self-shot and directed this two-part prime time, presenter led current affairs show
  • Worked closely with the police and Trading Standards in often hostile situations
  • Executive Producer: Lionel Mill. Series Producer: Katy Ferguson


National Geographic 'Kingfisher'; ITV Studios. (1 x 60') - 2012

  • Directed, scripted and edit produced an episode of this competitive fishing series
  • Filmed with crew and contestants in three locations around the world, US, Costa Rica and UK
  • Executive Producer: Jeremy Phillips. Series Producer: Simon Bisset


Discovery 'World's Top 5'; Blink Films. (5 x 60') - 2012

  • Self-shot and directed this engineering series in the US and Canada using the Sony F800
  • A logistically challenging series, with a new location every three days for six weeks
  • Filmed aerials from a helicopter and in extreme weather conditions


ITV1 'Britain's Best Dish – The Chefs'; ITV Studios. (1 x 60') - 2011

  • Directed multiple crew on this shiny floor cooking competition series
  • Edit produced the final one hour episode
  • Executive Producer: Ed Sayer. Series Producer: Rory Dalziel


ITV1 'Pride of Britain Awards'; ITV Studios. (1 x 60') - 2011

  • Directed, scripted and produced high end drama reconstructions for this award show
  • Directed crew and actors on set, recreating real life events
  • Executive Producer: Jeremy Phillips. Series Producer: Lee Servis


Good Food Channel 'Bill's Tasty Weekends'; Optomen Television. (10 x 60') - 2010

  • Series Directed, Scripted and self-shot this brand-new travel cooking format
  • Worked to a tight 3-day filming schedule to produce episodic content
  • Series Producer: Charlotte Winby


C5 'Monster Moves'; Windfall Films. (4 x 60') - 2008 / 2010

  • Filmed at locations all over the globe Inc. US, Caribbean, Quebec, Italy and Florida
  • Shot air to air with a WW2 aircraft and wrote the lyrics to the theme song for an episode
  • Scripted and edit produced all four of my episodes
  • Executive Producer: David Dugan. Series Producer: Carlo Massarella


C5 'Big Bigger Biggest'; Windfall Films. (2 x 60') - 2009

  • Scripted, directed and edit produced two episodes. Filming in both the US and Japan
  • Designed and scripted CGi graphics to demonstrate complex scientific and engineering problems.

OTHER PRODUCER DIRECTOR CREDITS

Food Network – Pioneer Woman. C5 – Rolf’s Animal Clinic. TV3 – Celebrity Come Dine With Me. BBC – You’ve Been Scammed. BBC – Escape To The Country. BBC2 – Great British Menu. Sky 1 – Show Me Your Garden. C4 – Ramsay’s Best Restaurant. BBC – Alan’s Garden Secrets, Scam Squad, See Hear, Watchdog, Chelsea and Hampton Court Flower Show, Crimewatch and Level Up. ITV – Police Camera Action. Sky1 – Road Wars.

Key Skills

  • Proficient user of Sony FS7, Sony F800, PMW350 and 500, Canon XF305 and Sony FS700
  • Highly experienced in working globally, in extreme conditions and conducting both aerial and air to air filming
  • Talented and confident multi camera Series Director
  • Experienced in scripting and edit producing across a wide range of programme genres
  • Valid i-visa and full driving and motorcycle licence

Education

  • 2:1 BSc Hons. Construction, Technology and Management
  • 3 A-Levels. Chemistry, Physics and Math Mechanics and 10 GCSE’s

References

  • Jenny Cole, Executive/Series Producer – Britain’s Ultimate Pilots
  • Stephen Taylor-Woodrow, Series Producer Car SOS
  • Laura Offer, Series Producer – Lazy Boy Garage.



Call me on:+44 (0)7973 198853 or email hello@stevebonser.com


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