CHRIS SMITHSON PRODUCER/DIRECTOR EDIT PRODUCER [email protected] 07966465717
Managing and directing full crew (inc. DV, AP, Researchers, Runners) Directing and scripting talent (Recently: Michelle Ackerley, Charlotte Crosby) Writing full shooting scripts Producing (difficult) contributors on shoot + conducting MIV’s Producing and building story on shoot Experience solo shooting on FS7 and C300
Taking shows into the edit + fast turnaround Edit Producing Adaptive VO script writing (wittiness of Come Dine to escapism of Fantasy Homes) Running multiple edit suites Archive research + licensing negotiation and copyright clearance Fair dealing
THE APPRENTICE PRODUCER/DIRECTOR FREEMANTLE for BBC1 March – June 2020 (POSTPONED due to COVID-19 halting production) Series 16.
COME DINE WITH ME PRODUCER/DIRECTOR ITV for CHANNEL 4 Over 30 Eps since 2013 All formats: Singles (30+60mins), Couples, Celebs. Made countless episodes over the years, directing full crew and taking every episode into the edit, including writing it’s legendary witty script.
ESCAPE TO THE CHATEAU DIY SHOOTING PD KINDLING MEDIA for CHANNEL 4 May 19 Solo shooting PD out on the road in France. Filming on FS7, capturing content for whole stories running through multiple shows – actuality, formatted chateau viewings, sit down iv’s.
FANTASY HOMES BY THE SEA PRODUCER/DIRECTOR HAT TRICK/KALOOKI for UKTV Jul – Dec 18 Presenter Michelle Ackerley hosts this successful formatted primetime property series. I produced 4 episodes, taking them all into the edit. Directed talent, full crew, APs and contribs. Shooting FS7 and C300 as and when. Wrote shooting script and VO. Quick turnaround edit.
THE POSH FROCK SHOP EDIT PRODUCER Nineteen11 for CHANNEL 4 Sept 17 – Apr 18 This new 24 part ob-doc series followed renowned occasion wear designer Ian Stuart and his staff in his hectic and flamboyant shop life. Helped shape this new commission from the edit, with credits in well over half the series.
EAMONN AND RUTH EXPLORE…SLEEP EDIT PRODUCER SPUN GOLD for CHANNEL 5 Aug – Sept 17
FOUR IN A BED PRODUCER/DIRECTOR STUDIO LAMBERT for CHANNEL 4 Apr – Jun 17 Directed and produced 8 contribs, full crew, 2 DV directors on location. Producing story across 5 consecutive episodes. Took into the edit, v fast turnaround.
GREAT CANAL JOURNEYS EDIT PRODUCER SPUN GOLD for CHANNEL 4 Mar – Apr 17 2-part episode travel doc charting Timothy West and Prunella Scales as they journey through India.
EAMONN AND RUTH: HOW THE OTHER HALF LIVESEDIT PRODUCERSPUN GOLD for Ch 5Jan-Mar 17 3 episodes, VO script, as well as restructuring other eps.
PETE BURNS: THE LAST INTERVIEW EDIT PRODUCER TRANPARENT for CHANNEL 5 Oct – Nov 16 Turned around this biographical show in just over a week after the death of Pete Burns. At one point running 4 edit suites. Writing the complete story arc and all questions for the talking heads. Shaping new, existing and archive material with best endeavors/fair dealing
CELEBRITY BOTCHED UP BODIES EDIT PRODUCER TRANPARENT for CHANNEL 5 Oct 16 Ran 2 edit suites, overseeing 2 episodes.
OSCAR PISTORIOUS: THE INTERVIEW ASSISTANT PRODUCER ITV Mar 16 An undercover position on location in Johannesburg South Africa. ITV scooped the first and only IV with the infamous athlete. Helping to fact check as well as location research on location.
COME DINE WITH ME: CHAMPION OF CHAMPIONSEDIT PRODUCERITV for CHANNEL 4Dec – Jan 16 A reinvention of the long running cult series. Helping to shape from the edit with lots of trial and reconfiguration to get the edit format and script right.
I WANT THAT WEDDING! EDIT PRODUCER CRACKIT for CHANNEL 5 Jul – Sept 15 New series following brides on their wedding day, with the efforts and costs involved. Shaped the format from the edit, as well as writing the opening titles, and eventually put across multiple edits.
BOTCHED UP BODIES EDIT PRODUCER TRANPARENT for CHANNEL 5 May 15 Scripted and produced episodes of this successful medical series, over multiples edit suites.
EARLIER CREDITS All the Queens Horses: A Diamond Jubilee Special (ITV) Piers Morgan’s Life Stories (ITV) Come Dine with Me (various series) (ITV Studios/Channel 4) Party Wars (Living TV) My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding: The Series (Firecracker Films/Channel 4) The Autistic Driving School (Firecracker Films/BBC 3) Glamour Models: My Mum and Me (Firecracker Films/BBC 3)
EDUCATION MA Film and Television • with Merit • University of Westminster BA (hons) Film and Cultural Studies • 2:1 • Lancaster University
REFERENCES Sam Keay Series Producer Come Dine with Me 07765682709 Jayne Hibbit-Smith Series Producer Fantasy Homes by the Sea 07814941346