Mike McDowall

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+44 (0) 7771 657 515

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Profile

I am a highly driven, highly creative, totally fearless BAFTA nominated TV producer

A natural born communicator, I have extensive experience at overseeing, producing and directing prime time factual television for the BBC, ITV, Channel 4, Channel 5, Discovery, Nat Geo, Nova, Paramount +, and Sky

My specialism is shaping the editorial identity and visual style of brand new series

Best known for making stand out popular science programmes, I also have a strong track record in factual entertainment, true crime, and I regularly work with high profile talent

I'm exceptionally well versed in every aspect of production, and I'm always on the lookout for super-ambitious, groundbreaking projects to devote my considerable energies to

I've been responsible for hundreds of hours of prime time TV - here are some of the titles:

Key skills

Developing New Formats

15+ years experience at taking new concepts from the drawing board all the way through to high rating finished programmes

Self Shooting

Well versed in shooting on a wide range of HD cameras, DSLRs and mini cams

Drama Recon

Extensive experience at devising, scripting, and shooting complex dramatic reconstructions

Running Large Teams

Expertise at leading large scale productions with big research departments, multiple shooting crews, and high pressure edits

Access

Expertise at negotiating and maintaining hard-to-achieve access with both big organisations like the USAF or Shell, and sensitive individuals

Strategic Planning

Trusted by commissioning editors and execs to plan effective schedules and manage multi-million pound budgets

Directing

Long track record of directing single cam, multi-cam, and studio shoots and eliciting top quality performances from presenters, experts, and members of the public

CGI

Experience of devising and producing a considerable amount of high-end CGI, including explainers and state-of-the-art photo real animation

Edit Producing

Many years of cutting room experience, edit producing single films and overseeing multiple edits. Expert at running with a brief and transforming rushes into compelling narratives

Photography

Relied on for taking high quality production stills, including promotional and behind the scenes images

Artificial Intelligence

Extensive knowledge of AI usage in media, combined with advanced coding skills

Editorial Judgement

Most important of all, a reputation for sharp editorial judgement and exceptional scripting skills

Development

Through several years spent spearheading a successful development team, I've acquired the wide ranging skills required to work ideas up into highly polished pitches, sizzles, and full treatments

Commissions I've been integral in include:

  • Science of Stupid — For Nat Geo
  • Robson Crusoe — For ITV1
  • Robbie Coltrane's Critical Evidence — For C+I
  • Britain's Most Historical Towns — For Channel 4
  • How to Win at Everything — For Nat Geo
  • Tones, Drones, and Arpeggios: The Magic of Minimalism — For BBC Four