Examples of my work behind the camera as Producer/Director

GOLD Award (Lens awards 2024) for this documentary style insight into the Café 16 project which rehabilitates ex offenders. Judges praised the "excellent video and human connection" that made "you feel more of a participant than a viewer"

Opening Sequence of thw Holy Island episode. This was a follow up series to Pubs, Ponds & Power which I also produced/directed an episode of. Again this is a serious historical documentary, commissioned by BBC Two.

This is the opening sequence of a history documentary I produced/directed for BBC Four. It was one of a 6 part series that proved very popular and was re-shown on BBC Two and has been repeated several times since.

Observational film following the 18 month restoration of Darlington's historic theatre. Largely self-shot with repeat visits to the theatre during major key developments of this mammoth project. Note this is a low res copy of the film.

Probably my favourite story of all time in which a cruel twist of fate would reveal the best of humanity. This tale of a photographer, determined to find out what happened to kids he met 30 years earlier in Newcastle's deprived West End, works on so many different levels of emotion. It still brings a tear to me eye each time I watch it. What a man! This review from when it aired might just make you click on the video to watch it: The Elswick Self Portraits feature was simply one of the most moving pieces of local television I have ever seen. I found it totally life affirming and found myself in floods of tears. Communities and individuals need insightful, sensitive people like Chris Mearns to reflect how important they are. His work and work of this kind must thrive, at times like this, the values and vision that he had are needed more than ever. Inspiring!

The Tyneside shipworker turned musical sensation who made the first ever recording of "Waltzing Matilda"