"Helen is definitely my editor of choice. Quick, creative and versatile - she's equally at home with investigative current affairs or fast-paced factual entertainment. She is particularly good at sound design/cutting to music and has excellent attention to detail because every frame genuinely counts. i cannot recommend her highly enough"
Ceri Aston, Head of Non-Scripted TV, Pulse Films, (formerly exec producer BBC Entertainment North)
"Helen has done sterling job on the first story to bring it to life. It is much tenser now. The music is great."
Rachel Ashdown, Commissioning Editor, BBC2, Dragons' Den, commenting on Series 14
"Helen is a creative editor with a passion for music and creating great sequences alongside an intelligent and rigorous approach top storytelling"
Liz Bloor, Producer/Director, Ribble Film (formerly BBC NCA)
I am an award winning, flexible, creative and fast editor with an imaginative approach to contemporary story telling. I work across all the main channels, frequently for the BBC, successfully meeting a diverse range of audience, producer and channel expectations across the genres.
As well as the traditional offline role, I have also taken on senior roles as the finishing editor for factual entertainment series, most recently 4 series of Dragons’ Den. The role includes the fine cut and crafting the music to the story, honing the tension and pacing the light and shade of the show. As a finishing editor, I create a unified look and feel to a series and the role gives the senior team the luxury of extra time to tweak, restructure, pace, rework commentary and ensure the show is as good as it can possibly be when to goes to the online.
I have extensive experience of working closely with both other offline editors and the senior team and enjoy the strong and creative working relationships that have developed. I have good project management and excellent editorial skills, often writing commentary and very involved in shaping the arc of a story.
I have a particular flair for working with music and sound design. Kate Phillips, Head of Entertainment Commissioning at the BBC, loved the editing and music design on Dragons’ Den S14 so much that she subsequently proposed me for the BBC‘s shortlist of editors for a BAFTA Craft Award.
I also work for BBC Academy on AP training courses and have acted as mentor for new entrants.
- BAFTAS 2014 : Nominated for editing Dragon’s Den
- In Memoriam: Highly Commended, 2002 TCM Classic Shorts competition
- BAFTA Craft Awards Juror 2002. Television Craft Awards juror for editing a factual programme.
- Super Davie Buscombe: Liverpool Television Award 2002. Short listed for the Kodak Short Film Awards 2001
- Chester City: An American Dream: Winner Best Regional Documentary, National RTS Awards 2001.
- MA in TV Features and Documentary (Salford University): specialist training: editing
- Apple Pro Training: FCP 101: Final Cut Pro 6 accredited training 2007
- BBC Training & Development: Avid Symphony Finishing Effects & Colour Correction course. 11/03
Finishing Suite Craft Editing
DRAGONS DEN - BBC Entertainment North for BBC2 Series 11, 12, 13, 14
Series finishing suite editor. Involves the sound design and fine cutting. Exec: Ceri Aston, SP: Steve Handley/Darrell Olson. Tx: Aug 2013 - 2016. Nominated for a BAFTA 2014 & RTS NW 2015
JUNIOR PARAMEDICS – BBC Entertainment North for BBC3
Finishing suite editor on 6 x 1 hr Ob Doc, crafting many music sequences, transations, montages and giving the series a unified look and gloss. Series Producer: Darrell Olson, Exec: Ceri Aston Tx: Feb/Mar/Apr 2014 . Nominated for RTS NW Award 2014
JUNIOR DOCTORS YOUR LIFE IN THEIR HANDS - BBC Entertainment North for BBC3
Finishing Suite editor on 6 x 1 hr flagship BBC3 Ob Doc . Series Editor: Ceri Aston, SP Steve Handley, TX Jan 2013
JUNIOR DOCTORS YOUR LIFE IN THEIR HANDS - BBC Entertainment North for BBC3
Finishing Suite editor on 6 x 1 hr flagship BBC3 Ob Doc . Series Editor: Ceri Aston, SP Steve Handley, TX Jan 2013
Documentary, Current Affairs and Factual Entertainment
I’M COMING OUT - Nine Lives Media for BBC3
2 x 25 min groundbreaking and lyrical ob. docs following a gay man and a bisexual man as they prepare to come out to their parents and then film it as it happens. PD Liza Williams, Exec: Cat Lewis Tx. Iplayer April 2017
EDL GIRLS : DON’T CALL ME RACIST – Blakeway for BBC3
I hour hard hitting Ob Doc. PD: Fran Baker Tx Mar 2014. Winner, RTS NW Award 2014, Prolific North Awards 2015
DISPATCHES: DO YOU KNOW YOUR PARTNER`S PAST? - Nine Lives Media for C4
Blinded by her ex, Tina Nash explores Clare`s Law and domestic violence. PD: Alex Hill, Exec: Mike Lewis. Tx: Oct 2012
THE ANTI-SOCIAL NETWORK - Nine Lives Media for BBC3
1 hour authored doc achieving very high viewing figures for BBC3. Richard Bacon explores cyber bullying and trolling and goes on the hunt for his own twitter hater. Director: Asif Hasan, Exec: Cat Lewis. TX: March 2012
CUMBRIA:ONE YEAR ON - ITV Studios Factuals for ITV1
A moving one hour doc marking the anniversary of the West Cumbria Shootings.PD Gregor Stewart, Exec Alex Gardiner. Tx: 1st June 2011
“I thought this was a terrific film - I was glued to it all the way through. It was one of those comparatively rare pieces these days that built like a symphony” Ian Squires, Current Affairs Controller ITV News
REAL CRIME: MANHUNT - ITV Studios Factuals for ITV1
Co-editor of 1 hour crime doc. Director: Gregor Stewart. Tx Nov 2011
Co-editor of 1 hour crime doc. Director: Gregor Stewart. Tx Nov 2011
TONIGHT: NO MORE HEROES - ITV Studios Factuals for ITV1
Current affairs programme on Heath and Safety issues
PD: Liz Bloor. Exec Alex Gardiner Tx June 2011
ZOE SALMON - THE BIG FAT TRUTH ABOUT LOW FAT FOODS - BBC News & Current Affairs for BBC3
One hour feature documentary. Punchy and fun. Director Ceri Aston, Execs: Sinead Rocks, Harry Lansdown. Tx Jan 2011
RIP OFF BRITAIN - BBC News & Current Affairs for BBC1 (Series 2, 3 &4: 2010, 2011,2012)
Editor on 40 episodes of consumer issues series screened on daytime running up to Christmas 2010. Created and edited title sequence. Due to its success the series was rebroadcast on primetime BBC1, up against ITV's 'Tonight' . Edit Producer Sam Hill, Series Director Julia Berg, Series Producer Lucy McLennan, Exec Sinead Rocks/Rob Unsworth
THE ONE SHOW - BBC1
Online/offline editor and mentor for BBC Manchester's output for The One Show. All films are now cut on FCP in HD. Mentoring involves supporting AP's as they self edit, troubleshooting and finishing films and requires a very good knowledge of FCP for broadcast.
DISPATCHES: THE WAR AGAINST STREET WEAPONS - ITV for Channel 4
1 hour campaigning polemic presented by Cherie Booth. Director: Ceri Aston, Exec: Alex Gardiner. Offline edit . Tx: 3/8/09
BLACKPOOL MEDICS: Series 2 - BBC Manchester News & Current Affairs for BBC1
30 minute actuality-led documentary following the staff of Blackpool Victoria Hospital over 10 days. Director: Jonathan Megson. Series Producers: Chris Salt/ Sam Lewins. Exec: Liz Molyneux. Tx :1/08 Nominated for RTS Award 2008
BLACKPOOL MEDICS: 10 DAYS IN MAY - BBC Manchester News & Current Affairs for BBC1
30 minute actuality-led documentary following the staff of Blackpool Victoria Hospital over 10 days. Director: Jason Wells. Series Producer: Jim Booth. Exec: Liz Molyneux. Tx :6/07 Nominated for RTS Award 2007
ROOTS REMEMBERED – BBC Entertainment/Features for BBC4 & BBC2
90 minute documentary revisiting the ‘Roots’ TV mini-series and examining its cultural impact in both USA and UK. Winner, Diversity in Factual Production Award, Screen Nation Awards 2007. Screened as part of the BBC anti-slavery season. Director: Marina Warsama. Exec: Caroline Roberts Tx’s: 3/07, 10/07
SHOULD I REALLY GIVE UP FLYING? - BBC Manchester News & Current Affairs for BBC2
90 minute documentary exploring issues around aviation and global warming in a punchy magazine style. Highly Commended in The Clarion Awards 2007 and nominated for The WWF BEMA Awards 2007. Directors: Ceri Aston and Mike Wiseman; Producer Liz Bloor. Tx: 1/07
SPICE GIRLS: 10 YEARS OF GIRL POWER WITH JULIE BURCHILL- Scarlet TV for Sky One
1 hour polemic/documentary in which Julie Burchill explores the impact of Girl Power on society. Director: Ryan Minchin. Exec: John Moulson Tx: 9/06
DYING TO BE THIN - BBC Manchester News & Current Affairs for BBC1
1 hour documentary exploring the pitfalls of weight loss surgery. Director: Ceri Aston . Execs: Mike Lewis and Dave Stanford Tx:: 1/06
REAL STORY – BBC Manchester News & Current Affairs for BBC1
Offline edits: ‘Don’t Carry On Nurse” director: Sharon Keatley Tx: 1/07,
‘Terror Compensation‘ director: Colin Stone Tx: 9/ 06,
‘Brittle Bones’ director: Sara Mole Tx: 5/06,
‘Home or a Loan’ director: Ceri Aston. Tx: 5/ 06,
‘Gambling’ 30 mins director: Simone Pilkington Tx:; 4/06,
‘Antibiotic Resistance in Meat ’ 30 mins director: Sharon Keatley Tx::8/05,
‘Debt 4’ 30 mins director: Paul Grant Tx:; 8/05,
‘Bomb’ co-editor for 2 day crash edit . 30 mins directors: Mike Lewis/Colin Stone Tx:: 7/05, ‘Michael Jackson Trial’ 30 mins director: Colin Stone Tx:: 6/05
‘Coastguard Crisis’ 30 mins director: Ceri Aston Tx:: 6/05,
‘Lloyds TSB’ director Gregor Stewart Tx:: 12/04
Series Producer Mike Lewis, Series Editor Dave Stanford.
INSIDE THE MOST POWERFUL TORNADO- Granada Factuals for National Geographic
1 hour Hi- Definition documentary. Offline edit and 16 track sound design track lay using music and commissioned effects, in preparation for dolby 5.1 surround sound mix
Director: Gareth Williams, Exec: Liz McLeod. For US tx.
INSIDE THE MOST POWERFUL EARTHQUAKE- Granada Factuals for National Geographic
Co-editor,1 hour documentary. Director: Kate Coombes, Exec: Liz McLeod. For US tx.
INSIDE HURRICANE KATRINA - Granada Factuals for Sky
1 hour documentary. Co-editor for crash edit after Katrina struck. Directors: Liz McLeod, Julian Butler, Gareth Williams. Tx: 8/05
COSMETIC SURGERY LIVE & ALL NEW COSMETIC SURGERY LIVE – Endemol for C5
16 x 8 minute VTs for series 1 and 2. A sexy science mix: punchy tabloid tops followed by graphic informative surgery. Directed by Rachel Boyd. Senior Producer Nick Aarons. Exec: Elaine Hackett. Tx: Series 1: 9/04, Series 2: 4/05.
FANTASY BUSINESS – BBC News and Current Affairs for BBC3
1 hour stylish factual entertainment programme. Directed by Ceri Aston. Tx: 1/05.
HEAVEN AND EARTH SHOW – BBC Manchester Religion and Ethics for BBC1
Offline, online and audio mix of several items and interviews and topicals, including films from the Simon in the City series, a series on Spiritual Dance and on Spiritual Gardens. Txs: from 4/04 and ongoing in 06.
UNIVERSITY CHALLENGE: THE PROFESSIONALS SERIES 1 and 2 – Granada TV for BBC2
Offline and Symphony online of 38 short VTs on teams. Stylish and offbeat. Directed by Dinkesh Meisuria, Produced by Peter Gwyn. Txs: Series 1: 4/03, Series 2: 4/04.
THE OTHER BOAT RACE - BBC Manchester Entertainment Features for BBC3
1 hour factual entertainment documentary charting progress of ex- Oxbridge celebs learning to row: the concluding film of the series. Directed/produced by Andrew Wightman. Producer: David Mortimer. Tx: 3/04.
CLOSE UP: RIO FERDINAND – Fuzz TV for Sky One
1 hour documentary following Rio back to his Peckham roots.
Produced/ Directed by Andy Hornett. Director: Martin Marks. Tx: 2/03 and repeated.
INSIDE VERSACE & INSIDE GUCCI – Planet Wild/Carlton for Channel 4
Offline editor for final stages of 2 fashion documentaries (amends/restructuring/replacing music/ re-cutting montages/some fine cutting). Director: Rachel Boyd, Exec Producer Paula Trafford. Tx: 10/02.
UNDERGROUND 2003 – BBC Manchester Entertainment Features for BBC 3
Offline editor of several promo-style band performances & VTs. Directed by Becky Martin. Produced by Gerard Barry and Nicola Wadell. Tx: 2/03.
SEX DRUGS & RUCK 'N ROLL - Free @ Last TV for BBC Play UK
Series editor: 10 x 30 min music documentary series produced and directed by Katie Kinnaird. Each programme features a different band/musician and takes its visual style from their image, promos or vibe. Txs: 5/02 and repeated
THE GYM - Turn on TV for Discovery Europe
Series Editor: 9 x 30 min health and fitness documentary series directed by Jim Anderson and Lesley Scarff. DV shot, actuality style. Txs: From 1/02 and repeated.
REVEALING SECRETS - Multi Media Arts for Channel 4
Off & online of 20 x 30 min episodes of social history series directed by Katie Kinnaird, produced by Ged Clarke/Katy Stead. Txs: from 4/01
SUPPORTING ACTS - Multi Media Arts for Channel 4
Offline of 10 short features about people working in the film industry, produced by Neil Adamson.
TXs: Summer/Autumn 00, repeated in 01.
CHESTER CITY - AN AMERICAN DREAM - Granada TV
Offline. 50 minute documentary . Witty and stylish observational doc about American owner of Chester City FC, produced & directed by Nick Mattingly.
Winner Best Regional Documentary, National RTS Awards 2001. TX: 5/00.
POSTCARDS FROM THE NET : PRAGUE - BBC Manchester Ents & Features for BBC2
Offline of 30 minute documentary centred on a Prague internet cafe (youth/arts slant). Produced by David Housham for BBC Webwise week. TX: 11/99.
REDS IN CHINA - Granada TV for Granada, Tyne Tees and Yorkshire
Offline of 50 minute documentary about the Liverpool FC youth team trip to China, produced by Andy Gill. Included designing and creating titles.
TXs: 1/00 and repeated.
FAMILY CHALLENGE ON THE WEB - BBC Entertainment & Features for BBC1
Offline of 2 x 30 min. Episodes of daytime lifestyle programme with 'Changing Rooms' feel. Produced by Melissa Feather for BBC Webwise week. TXs : 11/99
INJURY TIME - Granada TV for Granada
Offline/online edit of 30 minute documentary about injured footballers directed by Diane Keggin. MA project commissioned by Granada Sport. Creation of graphics & titles. Tx: 9/99.
Entertainment
COMEDY MAP OF BRITAIN - BBC Manchester Entertainment & Features for BBC2
Director/Producer Ellen Evans Tx: 8/07
THE FIFTY GREATEST COMEDY CHARACTERS- Princess North for Channel 5
Offline of 20 short items for fast paced 3-hour list show. Director: Ryan Minchin. Tx 5/ 06
THE MOST SHAMEFUL TV MOMENTS EVER- Objective Productions for Channel 5
Reversion of top 50 into top 60. Punchy list show fronted by Quentin Willson.
Director: Sash Brogden. Tx: 2/06
THE RETURN OF THE GOODIES – Objective Productions for BBC2
Offline of several VTs for Christmas Special. Tx: 12/05
A QUESTION OF SPORT – BBC Manchester for BBC1
Offline, online and audio mix of TX 7 30 mins. Produced by Ade Rawcliffe. Tx: 11/03.
BACK TO THE BEACH – Planet Wild for Sky One
Series editors of 8 x I hour reality/entertainment series.
Heavily involved in music research and selection. Composed sting music. Series Producer: John Moulson, Producer: Julie Bradshaw Txs: from 8/02 to present.
UMBRELLA - artist HERON - MTV 2
Pop promo shot on Super 8 for indie label artist signed to 'Hut'. Tx: 4/01 and repeated
PLANET POP - Straight TV for Channel 4
Off and online of youth-oriented music performance and feature VTs for 15 shows. Cutting of many multicam pop promo style performances. Responsible for online/offline of several entire programmes. Produced by Julia McRow. TXs: 6/00 to 12/00.
THE DOGS BALEARICS - Straight TV for Channel 4
Online/offline of VTs for Ep 6. Youth/music slant. Directed by Katie Kinnaird. TX: 8/00.
Drama
IN MEMORIAM - Scorpion Screens
Off/online edit and post production management of 10 minute short film drama, written and produced by Erinma Ochu. Various UK and European film festival screenings in 2002/2003 plus British Council world tour. Highly Commended 'TCM Classic Shorts' competition 2002
SUPER DAVIE BUSCOMBE - Contender Films
Edit of short film comedy drama (Super 16mm) written and co-produced by Andy Fraser, directed and co-produced by Diane Keggin. Prepared edit for negative cut: track lay: foley and sound design. Shortlisted for Kodak Short Film Awards March 2001. Won Liverpool Television Award 2002.
Non-Broadcast
I HATE THE NEIGHBOURS – Bobbie Peru
Offline and online of pop promo for post punk band. Aug 08 For MTV2
THE BRITISH HORSE SOCIETY
Observational documentary promoting membership and 30 second TV ad featuring talking horses. Director: Robin Anderson for Unique Factuals. Exec: Charlie Rogers. July 08
YOU’RE NOT NINETEEN FOREVER: 14 YEARS OF GABRIELLE’S WISH: (Documentary for cinema) Co-producer, writer and editor (with Ceri Aston) of 12 min film about the life and times of an East Manchester rock band. 2007
CAMP X-RAY ( Documentary for cinema)
Co-Producer and Post Production Adviser on 70 min documentary about an art installation in Hulme, raising human rights issues. Produced and Directed by Damien Mahoney. Several European and Uk screenings
BOYZONE
Offline of 4 x 5 minute funky pop promo style films for backdrop projection on Boyzone European Tour 1999.