Paul Crompton biog...
I am a Director and Executive Producer across factual television and cinema release feature docs and I have also been a Commissioning Editor.
BROADCASTING
I worked in commissioning at Sky1, Channel 5 and ITV. At ITV I was responsible for peak-time single docs such as: 'Raining In My Heart' and 'Secret Life of Twins', and pre-watershed peak time series like 'Gino’s Italian Adventure’ and 'Love Your Garden'.
INDEPENDENT PRODUCTION COMPANIES
In 2014 I teamed up with Spark Media and created the award winning hit series 'Escape to the Chateau' and later its spin off daytime series 'Escape to the Chateau DIY'. Before that I worked with Viv McGrath at Gecko and I have formed my own company, Barge Pole, with actor Timothy Spall. As a commissioner I gave indie giants Love Productions their first commission. I am a consultant for Glasgow-based BEEZR TV - I directed 'Jamie Genevieve Unfiltered' their first network commission for BBC1 - and I am also working with Alamo Pictures building a portfolio in feature-length documentaries.
CHANNEL LAUNCHES
I was part of the team that launched Granada TV's digital channels and I was in the unit who set up specialist arts channel BBC Arena. I helped create Channel 5's in-house production arm, now known as Elephant House, and as a commissioner at Sky1 I was tasked with a major channel rebrand to bring in upmarket subscribers.
AWARDS
I have had 3 documentaries pick up film 8 festival awards: 'The Limbless Mountaineer', 'The Aviatrix' and 'Iron Men'. I Exec Produced and Directed BBC Four’s hit series, 'Timothy Spall: Somewhere at Sea' which was nominated for a BAFTA and short-listed for a Grierson Award. I commissioned 'Steven Gerrard - A Year in My Life' which picked up an RTS Award. 'Escape to the Chateau DIY' was nominated for Best Daytime in the Broadcast 2019 TV awards and 'Escape to the Chateau' won Best Lifestyle programme at the Real Screen Awards in New Orleans.
KEY SKILLS
I have strong working relationships with commissioning editors and channel controllers as well as well-known on-screen talent. I am experienced in negotiating access to institutions from Government organisations and the emergency services, to actors, families and community groups. I like to set the style for filming and editing; and in the throes of production I write scripts; structure stories; establish and finesse formats and run teams. With new talent and ideas I make taster tapes/sizzle reels for pitching to networks.
THE NUCLEAR OPTION
After leaving school I spent 6 years in nuclear engineering. But at nights and weekends I made short films and was in a band (in the 'Madchester' period) as well as occasionally dabbling with scripted comedy (ITV commissioned a script and a TX pilot was made). I worked at Granada TV, at first in the kitchens washing up, then managing bands in the studios and I even presented a TV report. I was offered a job as a director for a series on local politics and I haven't looked back. It was a polite way of telling me I wasn't good enough for the other side of the camera!
I also spent quite a few years with an absurdly inventive video arts gang called Basement Video who specialised in public performance art pieces, contemporary dance and recording live gigs. Good times!