DAVID ALLAIN

Experience

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  Las Bandas Be Brave

  Jan 2007 - Dec 2010

  Director: Music Videos & Fashion Films

  Highly versatile Director with extensive experience in post- and a background working to tight budgets in production.Bringing together my eclectic taste in music and love of photography and stunning visuals, I Directed music videos for over a dozen artists including The Ting Tings, V.V. Brown, and FrankMusik for record labels including Columbia / SonyBMG, Island / Universal, and Parlophone / EMI.Represented by Jen Herrera (Las Bandas Be Brave) between 2008 - 2010.

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  Swipe Films

  Dec 2009 - May 2012

  Director: 'Sweat'

  'Sweat' - Romantic-Drama about a young guy that walks home one evening looking over how he met a special girl and then let it all go wrong. At the end we wonder if he might do better next time given a second chance.Producer: Peter OgunsaluExecutive Producer: Frank MannionWriter: Alexandra BillingtonProduction Company: Swipe FilmsCast: Bonnie Wright, Matthew McNulty, Daisy Lowe, Douglas BoothLength: 15 minutesStatus: Complete

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  Photography, Illustration & Editorial

  Jan 2010 - Jan 2015

  Special Projects: Photography & Artwork

  Special projects: Making artworks and shooting photography.Examples include collaborations, editorial work, and pieces for charity auction:SHELTER (2010 + 2012) & SAFE PLACE FOR YOUTH (2019):https://davidallain.com/journal/charity-auction-artwork/HUNGER TV (2015):http://www.hungertv.com/feature/mount-olympus-to-glorify-the-cult-of-tragedy/ SCRAPBOOK:https://www.instagram.com/davidallain/

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  Neath Films

  Apr 2010 - Oct 2010

  Writer: 'On Road'

  Writer of a short film Drama commissioned by Hackney Borough Council aimed at raising awareness of some of the most stifling problems faced by teenagers in East London.* Script never produced due to change of government and funding cutsPages: 24Option: AvailableScript Available to Read Upon Request

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  Rankin Film Productions

  Apr 2011 - Dec 2012

  'Will You Marry Me?' - Fast-paced, Dark Comedy: Commitment-phobe Dillon proposes marriage for all the wrong reasons when the lure of a radio show competition proves irresistible.Producers: Jess Gormley & David AllainExecutive Producer: RankinProduction Company: Rankin Film ProductionsCast: Nathan Stewart-Jarrett, Tuuli Shipster, Gabriel Bisset-Smith, V.V. Brown, Oliver Maltman, April PearsonLength: 9 minutesFestivals & Awards:Raindance Film Festival, October 2011ScreenTest Film Festival, March 2012- Best Comedy, Winner- Best Script, Nominee- Best Film, NomineeShort Cuts Film Festival, May 2012Strawberry Shorts Film Festival, June 2012Kilburn Film Festival, July 2012Rushes Soho Shorts, July 2012- Best Newcomer, NomineeTwo Short Nights Film Festival, November 2012London Comedy Film Festival, January 2013Limelight Awards London, June 2013- Best Comedy, Winner- Best Film, NomineeThe Smalls Film Festival, September 2013- Best Comedy, Nominee Show less

  • Creative & Producer

    Jan 2011 - Dec 2012

  • Scriptwriter & Director: 'Will You Marry Me?'

    Apr 2011 - Oct 2011
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  Rankin Film Productions

  Feb 2013 - Mar 2013

  Scriptwriter & Director: PANASONIC 'At First Sight'

  'At First Sight' - Romantic-Drama charting the turbulent relationship that brings a passionate couple to crossroads as they are forced to question their future together.Made in association with Panasonic to showcase their Lumix GH3.Received over 100,000 views in first week online.Producer: Tim Francis Executive Producer: Rankin Production Company: Rankin Film ProductionsCast: Ashley 'Bashy' Thomas, Hannah Arterton Client: PanasonicAgency: BraveLength: 5 minutes Show less

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  Rankin Film Productions / Sky Arts

  Mar 2013 - Oct 2013

  Director: SKY ARTS 'Rankin Presents'

  4-part series showcasing new work by emerging filmmakers. Rankin introduces each of the eight films commissioned through the first round of nationwide short filmmaking scheme Collabor8te, and then interviews two key crew or cast members from each filmmaking team.Producers: David Allain & Jess GormleyExecutive Producer: RankinProduction Company: Rankin Film ProductionsClient: Sky Arts (BSkyB)Broadcast: August-September 2014

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  Rankin Film Productions

  Jun 2013 - Sept 2013

  Director: CHANNEL 4 - RANDOM ACTS 'WeWi'

  Made in Association with Dazed & Confused.Short Dance Film combining ballet and contemporary dance set against the backdrop of West Wittering.Producers: David Allain & Jess GormleyExecutive Producer: RankinProduction Company: Rankin Film ProductionsIn Association with Dazed & ConfusedArtistic Director: Jess GormleyChoreographer: Emma ChadwickCast: Luke Divall, Emma ChadwickClient: Channel4Length: 3 minutes Broadcast: February 2014Festivals & Awards:Limelight Awards London, June 2014- Best Free Fall, Winner- Best Film, Nominee Show less

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  Rankin Film Productions / O2

  Sept 2014 - Oct 2014

  Director: O2 x Nile Rodgers & Rudimental 'Le Freak' Remix

  Video campaign (music video, TVCs, online content, and behind the scenes) to support O2's collaboration with Nile Rodgers and Rudimental through the initiative GOTHINKBIG. Triple Grammy winner Nile Rodgers invited Mercury Music Prize nominees Rudimental to work with him and over 70 young people to remake Chic's hit 'Le Freak'. Video campaign by Rankin Film Productions documented the project from music recording to the video's premiere at a sold out concert at the O2 Indigo.Producers: Ciara McGowan & David AllainExecutive Producer: RankinProduction Company: Rankin Film ProductionsClient: O2 (Telefonica) Show less

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  Rankin Film Productions

  Dec 2014 - Feb 2016

  Growing a slate of projects (TV series, feature films, and branded content) having helped set up Rankin Film Productions in 2011 as the company's lead Creative and Producer.Varied role includes work as Director-Producer on the 4-part SKY ARTS series 'Rankin Presents', Producer of several short films including 'Hardwire' and 'Balance' (both directed by Rankin), and Executive Producer on numerous films commissioned for Collabor8te and CHANNEL 4's Random Acts. Other projects include work for O2, PANASONIC, BEATS BY DRE, NOKIA, and multiple sclerosis charity SHIFT.MS. Show less

  • Creative Director

    Jan 2013 - Feb 2016

  • Director: BEATS BY DRE x DAZED 'The Night Before Christmas'

    Dec 2014 - Dec 2014
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  Sinfini Music / Universal Music Group

  Oct 2015 - Oct 2015

  Video Strategy Consultant

  Asked to consult and provide input on video strategy for classical music content platform, Sinfini. Consultations included input on ways to capitalise on Sinfini's unique position within the classical music landscape, strategies to engage new audiences and form new relationships with brand partners, drawing up ideas for original content, and brainstorming ways to most effectively and authentically disseminate content already in production once it is ready for release.Drawing upon my experience as a Creative and an Exec, we quickly identified the aims of Sinfini and began working out ways to achieve this within their desired budget and timeframe. Show less

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  Hungry Man

  Feb 2016 - May 2016

  Scriptwriter & Director: CALM 'Smokescreen Silence'

  Writer and Director for charity film encouraging mental health awareness. Suicide is the biggest killer of men in the UK aged 18-50. CALM believe that many lives could be saved if more men talked about by how they feel.Producer: Tom GardnerExecutive Producer: Matt BuelsProduction Company: Hungry ManCreative Director: Joe BruceClient: CALMAgency: 101 London

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  Girl Effect

  Oct 2016 - Dec 2016

  Lead Scriptwriter: SAKWE, Ni Nyampinga Radio Drama

  Working with local scriptwriters to tell culturally authentic stories, relatable for local audiences, whilst imbued with behaviour change and brand strategy.Running a writers room and teams of 4 scriptwriters to:Led team through the creation and launch of a new radio drama born of Rwanda’s most popular youth brand.Lead Scriptwriter running a writers room and team of 4 scriptwriters to create:- Framework to adapt Ethiopian radio teen drama Yegna for Rwandan audiences.- Series Bible including the story universe, character profiles, character arcs, series arcs, and finding entertaining and dramatic ways of marrying creative elements with behaviour change modelling and overall brand strategy.- Pilot script and overview of Series 1 (10 x 20min eps). Show less

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  Girl Effect

  Apr 2017 - Dec 2018

  Creating narrative content for non-profit Girl Effect. Using storytelling to model behaviour change for audiences whilst working to promote gender equality and tackle poverty.Utilised previous experience across various media platforms, storytelling, and advertising to help youth brands produce engaging content that lands important messaging.Created narrative formats for various territories and platforms ranging from Radio Drama, Narrative Music Videos, TV Drama, Web Series, Interactive Voice Recognition (IVR), Illustrated books and Comics.Various formats were then prototyped through co-creation with the target audience, and then rolled out for production by teams in different territories.Initially based in London but then working in each Rwanda (on Ni Nyampinga) and Malawi (on Zathu) with teams to launch their youth brands, drama content, and products.Teaching and upskilling scriptwriters in each Rwanda and Malawi: creating learning tools, delivering writing workshops, providing support and ongoing mentorship through the framework of live projects with essential deliverables and hard deadlines.Implementation of brand strategy by creating storylines that raise awareness and dramatise behaviour change around themes including Gender Equality, Domestic Violence, Sexual Reproductive Health, HIV/AIDS, Education, and Economic Empowerment. Show less Leading team through the creation and launch of a new radio drama born of Malawi’s most popular youth brand.Over 2 million unique regular listeners: Series 1 quickly drew a huge listenership with the show expanding its audience reach further as the drama continued.Lead Scriptwriter running a writers room and team of 4 scriptwriters to write:- 2 seasons of radio drama (26 eps per season); creating 52 x 15min eps in one year, and seeding storylines for Series 3.- Series Bibles including the creation of story universes, character profiles, character arcs, series arcs, and finding entertaining and dramatic ways of marrying creative elements with behaviour change modelling and overall brand strategy.- Scripts and support for other Zathu narrative products including: music videos, stage plays, a choose your own adventure book, and comic. Show less

  • Lead Scriptwriter & Director

    May 2016 - Dec 2018

  • Lead Scriptwriter: ZATHU - Radio Drama

    Jan 2017 - Dec 2017

  • Director: 'Welcome To ZATHU' - TV Documentary

    Apr 2017 - Sept 2017
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  Guardian News & Media

  Jul 2017 - Sept 2017

  Director: THE GUARDIAN x SADLER’S WELLS 'H/Y'

  Forty of Britain’s most talented young dancers converge by the sea, breathing in step until offbeat drums and energetic choreography unite them in a beguiling dance.A collaboration between The Guardian and Sadler’s Wells’ with choreography from the National Youth Dance Company production ‘Tarantiseismic’.Director: David AllainProducer: Jess GormleyChoreographer: Damien Jalet (NYDC Guest Artistic Director)DOP & Editor: Noah Payne-FrankComposer: Dave KingLink to film:https://davidallain.com/portfolio/theguardianLength: 3 minutesBroadcast: December 2017 on Channel 4’s 'RANDOM ACTS'. Show less

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  Hungry Man

  Oct 2018 - Nov 2018

  Scriptwriter & Director: LONDON FILM WEEK 'We Are...' - Festival Trailer

  Writer and Director for trailer promoting the inaugural London Film Week.Writer & Director: David AllainProducer: Camilla CullenProduction Company: Hungry ManClient: London Film WeekLink to film:https://davidallain.com/portfolio/londonfilmweek

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  Guardian News & Media

  Jan 2019 - Jan 2019

  Creative Producer

  Freelance Creative Producer contributing ideas and potential stylistic approaches to a new mini-documentary series.

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  Hungry Man

  Oct 2019 - Nov 2019

  Director: OBV 'Fake Views'

  Award-winning charity film starring BAFTA-winner Will Poulter and Nathalie Emmanuel ('Game of Thrones'). Made with Saatchi & Saatchi, produced by Hungry Man, encouraging young people and underrepresented groups to vote. Using real quotes from elected British politicians to call out racism, sexism, homophobia, and more. If you don’t vote, other people will speak for you.Client: Operation Black VoteProduction Company: Hungry ManDirector: David AllainExecutive Producer: Matt BuelsProducer: Polly LeachAgency: Saatchi & SaatchiCCO: Guillermo VegaECD: Dan TreichelArt Director: Kate MurphyCopywriter: Marcus PettersonCast: Nathalie Emmanuel, Will Poulter, Ash Sarkar, Nadia Rose, Jermaine JackmanAwards:Creative Circles: Best Low Budget Idea, Gold (2020)British Arrows: Best Social Video, Gold (2020)British Arrows: Charity & Public Services, Silver (2020)D&AD: Digital Use of Talent, Graphite (2020)UK Parliament Awards: Campaign of the Year (2020) Show less

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  CNN International Commercial

  May 2020 - Nov 2020

  Freelance Story Development Producer writing concepts, researching stories, and creating pitches for branded content. Working with Strategy and Social teams within CNN’s creative agency, Create, to develop content for a range of luxury brands, automotive, fintech, and tourism clients.Varied roles across pitching and production on projects including:- BMW 'The Art of Leadership': 5 x short documentaries (Story Development Producer)- DHL 'Power of Global Trade': TVC (Scriptwriter & Producer)- CNN x UNWTO 'Travel Tomorrow' TVC (Scriptwriter & Director) Show less Award-winning TVC. As the world prepared to emerge from the first lockdown, 'Travel Tomorrow' welcomed adventures on the horizon. With a script responding to quickly-evolving research and strategy, the film was directed remotely during lockdown using a mixture of newly filmed footage and stock clips.Client: CNN x UNWTOCreative Agency: CNN CreateScriptwriter & Director: David AllainExecutive Producer: Martin LaingCreative Director: John MaloneProducer: Will RiddellAwards:UNWTO Distinction Awards - Best Inspirational Communication Campaign (2020) Show less

  • Creative Producer & Development Producer

    Aug 2019 - Nov 2020

  • Scriptwriter & Director: CNN x UNWTO 'Travel Tomorrow'

    May 2020 - Jun 2020
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  Global

  Sept 2020 - Dec 2020

  Scriptwriter: GLOBAL x LBC 'The Followers' - True Crime Podcast

  Scriptwriter on a 5-part true crime podcast exploring the insidious nature of stalking. LBC presenter Shelagh Fogarty recounts their story experience of being stalked, speaks to experts, and discovers the psychology, laws, and toxic culture surrounding this devastating crime.‘A podcast that demands to be listened to – and demands change’ - Gerard O’Donovan, The TelegraphLink to podcast, released Summer 2022:https://www.globalplayer.com/podcasts/42Ktor

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  ITV

  Mar 2021 - Jun 2021

  2nd Unit Director: ITV 'The Long Call' - TV Crime Drama

  2nd Unit Director on 4-part crime drama, 'The Long Call', produced by Silverprint Pictures for ITV. Mentored from prep through the shoot and post-production by Series Director Lee Haven Jones. Role created by ITV Studios in collaboration with Directors UK. Filming in Bristol and Devon. Broadcast on ITV (UK) and Britbox (North America), Autumn 2021.Broadcaster: ITVProduction Company: Silverprint Pictures2nd Unit Director: David AllainDirector: Lee Haven JonesScriptwriter: Kelly JonesProducer: Angie DaniellExecutive Producer: Kate Bartlett Show less

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  BBC

  Jun 2021 - Aug 2021

  Director: BBC 'Bravo Two Charlies' - TV Comedy

  Mini comedy pilot produced by Leopard Pictures and Giddy Goat Productions for BBC Wales. In the world of North Wales traffic police, six officers are just trying to get the job done, and broadly fail... Broadcast on BBC, Autumn 2021.Broadcaster: BBCProduction Company: Leopard Pictures & Giddy Goat ProductionsDirector: David AllainScriptwriters: Matt Leys & Martin TrenamanProducer: Gil IslesExecutive Producers: Kristian Smith & Steve Doherty

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  CNN International Commercial

  Aug 2021 - Nov 2021

  Director & Scriptwriter: AFREXIMBANK, 2021 Campaign

  Creative lead working closely with Producer Angela Confeggi across a multifaceted campaign for Afreximbank produced by Create, CNN's award-winning brand studio. Directing, scriptwriting, and overseeing the creative execution of three films using a mixture of techniques including Virtual Production and Talent-Generated Content:- PAPSS 'In an Instant' (TVC)- IATF 'Visionaries' (TVC)- EVOLVE (Digital Film)Client: AfreximbankCreative Agency: CNN CreateScriptwriter & Director: David AllainCreative Director: John MaloneExecutive Producer: Martin LaingProducers: Angela Confeggi & Will RiddellProduction Manager: David GlucksteinEditors: Benjamin New, Michael McCabe & Jeremy BurdockPost-Production: Benjamin New Show less

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  ITV

  May 2022 - Feb 2023

  Director: ITV 'The Bay' - TV Crime Drama

  Director on 'The Bay' Series 4 (Episodes 4, 5, 6) - 3 x 1 hour prime time crime drama. Produced by Tall Story Pictures for ITV. The series sees D.I. Jenn Townsend, a Family Liaison Officer in Morecambe, help solve complex cases while grappling with the demands of family life. Shot on location in Morecambe and Manchester. Broadcast on ITV (UK) and Britbox (North America), Spring 2023.Broadcaster: ITVProduction Company: Tall Story PicturesDirector: David AllainCreators: Daragh Carville & Richard ClarkScriptwriters: Daragh Carville & Furquan AkhtarProducer: Martin CampbellExecutive Producers: Catherine Oldfield & Daragh CarvilleSeries Commissioner: Polly Hill Show less

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  CNN International Commercial

  May 2023 - Dec 2023

  Director & Scriptwriter: AFREXIMBANK, 30 Year Anniversary Campaign

  Scriptwriter and Director across 6 films for a campaign celebrating 30 years of Afreximbank, featuring projects filmed in Ghana, Singapore, Guyana, and Egypt.