Commercial
I have built an extensive career as a television director, specialising in arts, culture and factual entertainment programmes for the major UK broadcasters. I have also directed and filmed a number of independent documentaries for international screening and online distribution.
INTERVIEWS PRESENTERS IDEAS
Commercial & Broadcast Directing
I have made programmes and series for BBC One, BBC Two, BBC Scotland, Channel 4, ITV and STV and worked with various independent production companies. I excel at conducting empathetic and informed interviews, directing crews, presenters and contributors, and shaping complex ideas into engaging, accessible programmes. Additionally, I am a skilled cinematographer and producer.
Career highlights include Building a Nation, a six-part landmark series exploring Scotland’s story through its architecture; This Scotland: Catching the Tide, a documentary following my photographer brother Colin McPherson’s work with salmon fishers in North East Scotland; and Force of Nature, a 70-minute dance documentary which I filmed over five years in Italy and Scotland, featuring internationally renowned improvising dance artist Kirstie Simson.
Selected Broadcast & Documentary Credits →
2018
In Motion – Director
Series of short dance documentaries for the BBC’s online platform The Space, made with The Work Room (Glasgow). Showcasing contemporary Scottish dance on film, the series achieved 68,000 online views in its first month.
2015
Dance Explosion – Co-Director
40-minute documentary funded by Creative Scotland, exploring how art transforms lives through the work of choreographer-teachers Royston Maldoom and Tamara McLorg, returning to Scotland 30 years after their pioneering community dance projects.
2012
Force of Nature – Director / Cinematographer
70-minute dance documentary featuring Kirstie Simson. Funded by the University of Dundee (Scotland) and the University of Illinois (USA). Screened internationally including New York, Salt Lake City, Berlin and Findhorn, and acquired by the Routledge Performance Archive.
2005
This Scotland: Catching the Tide – Director
30-minute documentary on photographer Colin McPherson, commissioned by Scottish Screen, Scottish Television and Grampian Television. Broadcast on STV and later acquired by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation.
2002
Artworks Scotland: Making a Monster – Director
30-minute documentary on Monster, an opera about Mary Shelley by composer Sally Beamish and writer Janice Galloway. Broadcast on BBC Two.
2001
Adugna – Director / Cinematographer
30-minute documentary on the work of choreographer and teacher Royston Maldoom in Addis Ababa.
Symphony – Director / Cinematographer
15-minute documentary about a performance project led by Royston Maldoom in Holloway Women’s Prison. Screened internationally at cinemas and festivals including the NFT (London), Tallinn, Dance on Camera Festival (New York), and the Reel Moves Festival Tour of Australia and New Zealand.
2001
Artworks Scotland: State of the Arts – Director
Presenter-led programme examining key issues in the Scottish arts sector. Broadcast on BBC Two and BBC Four.
2000
Film 2000 with Jonathan Ross – Director
Director on BBC One’s flagship cinema review programme, including half-hour specials on the Oscars (Los Angeles) and the Cannes Film Festival.
1999
Building a Nation – Director / Co-Writer
Six-part landmark architecture series presented by Kirsty Wark. A Wark Clements production for BBC Scotland.
My Mackintosh – Director
Five short documentaries on architect Charles Rennie Mackintosh. A Hand Pict production for Channel 4.
Rough Cuts – Director
Weekly BBC Two movie review programme.
Rural Rides – Director
Six-part factual entertainment series presented by Brough Scott and his horse Alfie. Wall-to-Wall production for ITV.
Good Stuff – Series Director
Weekly arts magazine programme presented by Davina McCall. London Weekend Television.
1995–1997
The Big Country – Director / Series Director
Factual entertainment series presented by Dougie Vipond and Jennie Falconer. Wall-to-Wall production for BBC Scotland.
1996–1995
Edinburgh Nights – Director
BBC Two magazine programme from the Edinburgh International Festival, presented by Emma Freud.
1994
N.B. – Director
Weekly arts review programme for Scottish Television.
Don’t Look Down – Director
Late-night arts review programme for Scottish Television.
1993
Scottish International – Director
Eight-part documentary series exploring Scotland’s cultural connections with France.
DIRECTOR VIDEOGRAPHER PRODUCER
I am open to work as a director and / or videographer/ cinematographer, or to develop new productions. Please be in touch to discuss ideas and projects.
