Operations Director

Career to date:

Paul’s career in the film industry began as a trainee on Debbie Issit’s debut feature Nasty Neighbours in 1999. Following on from that he worked as a crew member in variety of roles on numerous commercials and drama productions for television, before finally settling for the warmth of the production office in 2000 when he joined Raindog TV. Whilst at Raindog Paul was given the opportunity to begin developing his creative skills following his promotion to Development Coordinator.

In 2003, following a brief stint on BBC Scotland’s River City Paul began working for the New Cinema Fund and latterly Lifesize Pictures on the UK Film Council’s short film programme. Beginning as a coordinator he quickly rose to the creative challenge offered by the short form, leading to executive producer credits on over 60 short films. In 2006 he also acted as Production Executive for UK Film Council on 5 films commissioned through the UKFC/Film4 financed Cinema Extreme initiative.

In addition to his work related to production Paul has provided one to one career and funding advice to budding filmmakers at numerous events in the industry calendar as well as providing training as part of the Script Factory’s Digital Shorts training programme at the NFTS and delivering a short film finance masterclass for BAFTA.

E-mail: paul@firstlightonline.co.uk

What’s your favourite film?

The Godfather

What’s your favourite First Light film?

Old Enough to Know Better

What’s your favourite children’s film?

Raiders of the Lost Ark

What’s your favourite line from a film?

‘Gentlemen you can’t fight in here, this is the war room’ – Dr Strangelove Or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb

Who’s been your favourite First Light Awards judge or presenter?

Have never been so tricky to answer this one, what about Shane Ritchie? I seem to remember his feedback was very good.

What’s your favourite Film Street activity?

The Film Academy

Who’s your favourite Simpsons character

Comic Book Guy – checked the Simpson’s website and this is actually his name!

If there was a film made of your life who would play you?

Harrison Ford (yeah right… only cos I spent my childhood pretending to be either Indiana Jones or Han Solo)

Five words that best describe you?

thoughtful, generous, perfectionist, optimistic, geek