Hello, my name is Brendan!
The short version of my story is that I started off in television working on documentaries and political programmes (Channel 4, BBC), and then about five years ago I made the switch to making films for online publishers such as The New York Times.
I specialise in journalistic explainers and short films about politics, ideas and other nerdy topics. I am the creator of the award-winning and highly successful online series Things Not to Say and the former Digital Development Editor of BBC Three. (Here is a selection of my work).
If you’re also a filmmaker, you might find something useful on the Learn Filmmaking and Tools & Resources pages.
If you’re from an organisation that makes video (or you’re interested in doing so) I might be able to help you with training, developing formats or consulting.
Here’s some other stuff about me:
- I spent three years as the Westminster Producer on Question Time, a UK political debate show. This involved a lot of hanging out with politicians around Westminster and meeting famous celebrities such as Mick Hucknall. I’m still mates with David Dimbleby and we regularly go on luxury cruises together, just the two of us.
- For two years I was the series producer of the BBC Three debate show, Free Speech. I’m still mates with presenter Rick Edwards and we also regularly go on luxury cruises together, just the two of us.
- I once chickened out of peeing in the urinal next to Charlie Brooker just before a show record (10 O’ Clock Live on Channel 4). As I diverted course to the cubicle he shouted, “What’s wrong?! AM I TOO INTIMIDATING TO PEE NEXT TO?”
- My first job in TV was as a runner for a production company which mostly involved making coffees and fishing tampons out of the ladies’ loos (really, please just use the sanitary bins). One of the few times I was allowed out, I was asked to drive presenter George Alagiah home from a shoot but halfway back he asked if he could take over because I was driving too slowly.
- After university I spent three years living in Japan. While I was there I met Tim Anderson who was spending the time mastering Japanese cuisine — knowledge he later used to win MasterChef and start the award-winning restaurant, Nanban. I spent the time writing a blog which my mum said was very nice.
- I’m married to someone who also makes kick-arse videos and I have two sons. Part of the reason I made the move away from TV was I wanted to see my kids more, which is schlocky but true.
- I live in Walthamstow and grew up nearby in Ilford which is a rough area of London but in a shit, unglamorous way.
- I love reading non-fiction books and think you should too.
I’m on Twitter, Instagram and I run an email list you can sign up to here.