Director Project
Resume:
www.edperkins.com
Ed Perkins Email: **@*********.***
Home: London
Director/Development Producer with strong shooting, directing, editing and journalistic skills - and experience in UK
and US television markets - seeking directing or development position in factual documentary or current affairs.
Proven track record of directing, developing original ideas, writing proposals, shooting and editing promos, and getting
commissions for a variety of formats from observational documentary series to factual entertainment to one off documentary
specials. Significant experience and success gaining access to challenging religious and social sub-cultures, and strong ability
to form and maintain relationships with on-screen talent, crew and contributors.
Examples of work, written proposals, and references available upon request.
Showreel at www.edperkins.com
PRODUCTION EXPERIENCE
COMIC STORE HEROES - Director, Cinematographer & Producer Nov 2011 Present
Directed, shot and developed a 60 minute documentary for National Geographic Channel that explores the fascinating sub-
culture of comic book superfans in New York. Based at the world famous Midtown Comics, this documentary follows 4
superfans on a year long journey that ends at the greatest comic book party in the world - Comic Con.
PROJECT NIM - Director, Cinematographer & Editor April Dec 2011
Directed MAKING NIM, the 35 mins behind-the-scenes DVD documentary for the Oscar shortlisted feature
documentary Project Nim, the latest documentary from the team that made the Academy Award winning Man on Wire .
Also directed a 10 min short film - BOB S JOURNEY - for the worldwide DVD as well as 4 online featurettes.
(http://trailers.apple.com/trailers/independent/projectnim/)
THE EAGLE (Focus Features) - Director, Cinematographer & Editor August December 2009
Directed the DVD Behind-the-scenes documentary for the feature film The Eagle (released in cinemas worldwide
March 2011). Worked alongside and filmed interviews with the director Kevin Macdonald (Academy Award winner),
producer Duncan Kenworthy (Four Weddings and a Funeral), and actors Channing Tatum, Jamie Bell, Donald Sutherland
and Mark Strong.
FOR GOD S SAKE - Director, Cinematographer & Editor 2008 - 2009
Directed a feature length documentary film that explores the debate between neo-atheists and Christians regarding the
potential benefits and dangers of religion. Interviewed Professor Richard Dawkins, Sam Harris, Father Richard John Neuhaus
and other leading academics and theologian around the world. Funded the project by applying for numerous film grants in
both the US and UK.
- Won Best in Show at the Carolina Film Festival 2009
- Won The Eva Marie Saint-Jeffrey Hayden Humanitas Award 2009
EXTREME MAKEOVER: HOME EDITION (ABC Network) - Documentarist March 2009
Shot official behind-the-scenes footage and photographs for the Emmy award winning US TV show.
DOGTOWN (National Geographic Channel) - Miscellaneous Crew August 2008
Worked on the multi series National Geographic show Dogtown as a production assistant.
THE DEVIL S WIND - Cinematographer and Editor June - August 2007
Feature length historical documentary about the 1857 Indian War of Independence. Screened at the London Gurkha Museum
and featured in the UK Sunday Times Magazine, December 2007.
PATRICK - Director and Editor Jan April 2009
Directed and edited a 30 minute award winning narrative short film which has been screened at film festivals throughout
America.
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DEVELOPMENT EXPERIENCE
PARTHENON ENTERTAINMENT LTD - Development Producer August 2010 Sep 2011
Developed and directed promos for a series of original documentaries in both 2D and 3D. Most recent commission:
JESUS: RISE TO POWER
Generated original idea, wrote proposal and directed the promo for a 3 hour landmark National Geographic series in which Dr
Michael Scott sets outs across the historic landscapes of the ancient world to discover how and why, in just 400 years, the
little-known Judaic cult of Jesus became the official religion of the Roman Empire.
Commissioned by National Geographic Channel.
NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC TELEVISION - Development Producer Dec 2009 Dec 2010
INSIDE HASIDISM
Generated original idea, wrote proposal and directed the promo for a documentary special that examines the ultra-orthodox
religious sub-culture of Hasidic Judaism. Worked alone for several months forming relationships with members of the
Hasidim, and was then granted unprecedented access to film a community that has historically avoided any film/journalistic
coverage to finally tell the stories of both active members and those trying to leave the insular religious group and enter the
outside world.
Commissioned by National Geographic Channel. Air date - Mid 2011.
RINGSIDE
Shot and directed the promo, and wrote proposal for a factual entertainment/observational documentary series that
investigates the world of professional wrestling across America. Gained full and unique access to the behind the scenes world
of America s beloved sport, uncovering the truths behind fight choreography, results and injuries, told through the stories of
the men and women who put their bodies - and lives - on the line for the entertainment of others.
Commissioned by National Geographic Channel. Air date - Late 2011.
TREASURE ON THE THAMES
Found on-screen talent and contributors, established working relationship with the Museum of London, and then shot and
directed the promo for a historical/factual entertainment special that explores the work of London mudlarks (amateur
archaeologists who scan the shores of the River Thames for historical artefacts).
Commissioned by National Geographic Channel. Air date - Late 2011.
HONORS & AWARDS
- Rick Dees Student Production Award (2009)
- The Eva Marie Saint-Jeffrey Hayden Humanitas Award (2009)
- James H. Thompson and Evelyn B. Thompson Undergraduate Research Award (2009)
- Best in Show for For God s Sake Carolina Film Festival (2009)
- James C. Lampley Award for Excellence in Multimedia (2008)
- Phi Beta Kappa Honor Society
- Dean s List (2005-2009)
TECHNICAL SKILLS
Shooting and directing
Extensive experience shooting with a wide range of cameras (including Sony EX3, Canon 5D Mark II, Sony Z1U and
Arriflex 16mm), as well as directing documentary and drama crews on location.
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Editing
Proficient in Final Cut Pro, Avid Media Composer, Soundtrack Pro, DVD Studio Pro, Adobe Premiere Pro, Apple Color,
Microsoft Office, Celtx, Adobe Photoshop.
Equipment
Own a Canon 5D Mark II video kit with multiple lenses, Sennheiser wireless microphone kit and Rode shotgun microphone.
EDUCATION
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, USA May 2009
Bachelor of Arts Political Science & Communication Studies
Highest Distinction and Highest Honors
British Morehead-Cain Scholar
GPA: 3.97
Marlborough College, UK 2005
A Level 4 A s (Maths, Politics, Physics, Further Maths)
GSCE 10 A* s
Head of School
Offered place at Oxford to read PPE
OTHER EXPERIENCE
American Express, Australia Jan - April 2005
Executive Assistant to Vice President
Ubisoft Ltd, UK May - June 2007
International Export Department
Carolina Production Guild 2007 - 2009
Executive Board Member
UNC Rugby Club 2005 - 2008
Club officer and Philanthropy Chair
S4SI Charity Organization 2005 - 2008
Zimbabwe Committee
Captain of Marlborough College Rugby XL
Vice-Captain of Marlborough College Hockey XI
REFERENCES AND EXAMPLES OF WORK
Available upon request.
Showreel at www.edperkins.com
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