Michael Wray

Experience

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  Freelance

  Jan 1990 - Jan 2009

  Video Director

  Establishing narrative for clients and crafting video to communicate more effectively, either as a one man operation or employing freelance production staff from camera's to make up. Deliviring on time and on budget, powerful video.

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  Lancashire County Council

  Jun 1994 - Aug 1996

  Youth Arts Worker

  Youth and Community working with challenging young people one of the most deprived areas of the country. Whilst using photography as a youth work tool I developed my love of video here creating educational and promotional material.

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  The Garbage Collector

  May 1998 - Jun 1998

  Assistant producer
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  Zemap

  Sept 1999 - Jul 2004

  Company DIrector

  Managed a TV studio and production suite for Surrey County Council supervising educational and creative arts projects for and with the Youth Service.

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  Surrey County Council

  Jan 2001 - May 2004

  I worked as a youth worker to support myself during my film degree and found a great position in a Youth Arts Centre after graduating managing their small studio and edit suite. On site there was a recording studio and dance studio as well as a darkroom. As well as being freelance since 1999 I managed a video studio for Surrey County Council, producing multi media projects; music videos; youth parliament campaigns and an interactive drama with the Youth Offending Team.

  • Youth Arts Worker

    Nov 1999 - May 2004

  • freelance video production

    Jan 2001 - Jan 2001
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  The National Computing Centre

  Jan 2004 - Jan 2005

  Media producer

  Recruiting and writing in collaboration with various diverse community organisations to create and write a book on how to teach video and use it as a tool for democracy. The book was published in soft back with an interactive CD and online and was very well received by many international and national organisations.

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  Yes Price Crash

  Jan 2005 - Jan 2006

  Producer

  Live Gallery Producer for shopping channel on Sky and Virgin. Responsible for programme running times with specific regard to audience and presenter interaction.

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  Channel M

  Mar 2006 - Mar 2010

  Shooting Producer/Director

  Shooting PD. Produce a weekly half hour property show and a short documentary strand for 12 episode runs. Credits also include 3 half hour doco series on "The Alex" hospital and 2 half hour docos on amateur theatre.

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  University of Salford

  Jan 2009 - Jan 2010

  Community film director

  I directed New Mornings Old Streets. Multi agency community documentary project involving diverse people from across the region, a response to the BBC working class doco “Morning On The Street”. 1X24 mins

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  Self employed shooting producer director

  May 2010 - Nov 2024

  Shooting PD
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  ITV Sports life stories

  Mar 2013 - Apr 2013

  Shooting PD. Episode 7; Fabrice Muamba

  Camera operator –Bolton footballer Fabrice Muamba, talking about his life and one of the most extraordinary sports stories of the year.

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  BBC Children in Need

  Mar 2013 - May 2013

  Shooting PD

  Shooting Director on a series of films and interviews at projects all over the UK looking at those who have benefitted from CIN funding.

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  ITV

  Sept 2013 - Nov 2013

  Assist Producer, Peoples Millions

  Working with a variety of contributors and coordinating ITV crew to create short clips for appeal style videos.

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  BBC Worldwide

  Aug 2014 - Aug 2014

  Studio Camera, Sky and BBC live feed for Cycle London event

  Handheld ENG live camera for opening and closing remarks including presenter led interviews.

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  BBC Children in Need

  Aug 2014 - Aug 2014

  Shooting PD

  Interviews and pieces to camera with celebrities backstage at "Carfest" in preparation for the 2015 appeal.

• 

  BBC

  Jul 2015 - Jul 2015

  Shooting PD

  BBC programme "Call The Council". Daytime show following council workers. I had particular remit to follow apprentices on their final training and interviews and as they received their results. Filming was in a variety of situations from tarmac-ing on roads, to inside vehicles and interviews in dim council offices.

• 

  BBC Children in Need

  Nov 2015 - Nov 2015

  Shooting PD

  I filmed a short feature for the live show at a Costco store involving, Pudsey, children, fancy dress costumes and a balloon release!

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  BBC Scotland

  Mar 2016 - Mar 2016

  Shooting PD

  Series about fertility and how different activities affect it. I picked up B Roll footage for the section on Yoga. Self shooting with support from the production team.

• 

  BBC

  Mar 2016 - Mar 2016

  Shooting AP

  Science series for BBC Scotland about fertility and how different activities affect it. I picked up B Roll footage for the section on Yoga. Self shooting with remote support from the production team.

• 

  Malachy Malloy Associates

  May 2016 - May 2016

  Shooting Director

  I spent 3 days filming at this International conference in Marbella, Spain. We created packages for 'highlights of the day' each day and shot live camera during sessions for the large screen.

• 

  Skeleton Productions

  May 2016 - May 2016

  Shooting director

  Shooting PD. A days interviewing and filming in Preston creative GVs for a piece about investment with successful businesses.

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  BBC

  May 2016 - May 2016

  Shooting PD

  BBC2 Documentary by Grant Wardrop Productions following Sir Chris Hoy as he undergoes training and races for the first time in the Le Mans 24 hour race. I followed Sir Chris and did a brief interview during his charity cycle race in the run up his first motor racing event.

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  BBC

  Jul 2016 - Jul 2016

  Shooting PD

  BBC "School Of Art". Audition day for 40 painters. I had to film and interview 20 of them during 2 x 4 hour periods, whilst they painted and drew a still life. A very busy and pressured day but surprisingly interesting how much these artists would open up whilst on camera and engrossed in painting

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  Malachy Malloy Associates

  Sept 2016 - Sept 2016

  WABCO International Expo

  Filming and documenting the exposition including live webcast and various interviews over 5 days in Hannover, Germany.Packages required briefings and understanding of new technology for emergency auto steering and braking on commercial vehicles. Timings were tricky because the exposition was over 5.3 million square feet and we were on foot with all the kit.

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  LITTLE GEM MEDIA LTD

  Sept 2016 - Sept 2016

  How To Lose Weight Well

  Following contributors reviewing and trying out a range of different diets and exploring the science and myths about dieting.

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  Kelvin Furniture

  Oct 2016 - Oct 2016

  Lighting Cameraman

  This was a furniture advert for ITV. I filmed and lit several scenarios with different actors from children to retirees and recreated a home bedroom scene in the shop. The lighting was difficult and minimal and no other crew were provided so it was a very demanding job all round. I also had to allow for clients in the shop also increasing the need for health and safety awareness.

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  TRANSPARENT TELEVISION LIMITED

  Nov 2016 - Nov 2016

  Peter Burns, The Last Interview

  Obituary TV programme on the late Peter Burns. With short notice I had to pick up a car, kit and an assistant producer and drive to Pete Waterman's house. There I lit and shot an in depth interview with Pete chronicling the life of his former friend and colleague Peter Burns. Whilst directing two camera's I had to get Pete to talk about very serious and personal issues whilst monitoring sound and planning for an edit.

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  Barcroft Media

  Nov 2016 - Nov 2016

  Dave The Baker

  WIth a producer I directed and shot the footage for this taster tape. The purpose was a series pitch for Barcroft Media with Dave Smart who runs Greenhalgh bakers and appeared on This Morning. I had to follow him as he gave us a tour, creating a narrative as we went, filming processes, directing staff. At the end of the day I had to quickly recce, shoot and light several interviews with key staff in fading light.

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  Chocolate Clothing

  Nov 2016 - Nov 2016

  Chocolate Company Clothing Advert

  I shot and lit this television advert for a designer children's clothing company with an FS7 on a DJI Ronin gimbal mount. With limited lighting and one assistant I created several lighting scenarios with children opening presents, going outside in the early morning snow and playing in the snow until early evening. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MgqjbbKVAS0

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  Kudos Film and Television

  Mar 2017 - Mar 2017

  Shooting PD

  I shot promotional material for the BBC's 'Gunpowder' series. Shooting around a working film set meant after initial equipment preparation and scheduling, I had to adapt as the main crew's schedules changed; hours spent lighting an interview would be lost as celebrities became available elsewhere at short notice. I had to be resourceful and prepared for any eventuality, to adapt without compromising quality and creativity. http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p05lxrxl

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  BBC Children in Need

  Mar 2017 - Nov 2017

  I filmed most of BBC Children In Needs social media video content nationally in 2017. The series called 'Focus On' was particularly difficult in terms of logistics. I liaised with the lead contact on each project and worked out the best time and place to film. Variables included, daylight, rain, doctor's rounds, ferries and the young people themselves. Post production issues arose with release forms and technical issues, re-edits became necessary within hours of deadlines. The videos also had to maintain the BBC's brand and standards as well as compliance regulations. https://www.facebook.com/bbcchildreninneed/videos/10155215469229876/ Show less

  • Producer/Workshop Leader

    Sept 2017 - Nov 2017

  • Shooting PD

    Mar 2017 - Nov 2017
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  Skeleton Productions

  Sept 2017 - Sept 2017

  Mangar USA

  I created shot lists and schedules for this two day shoot with actors.The aim was to create a B2B promo demonstrating an inflatable device to get old people on their feet after a fall in a care home. We shot in a working care home so aside from the usual location considerations such as sunlight, extraneous noise etc we had frail members of the community who were also paying customers not wishing to have their daily routine disturbed. I had to remain calm and always have at least one plan B in my head for every scenario. Show less

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  Iceland Foods

  Apr 2018 - Apr 2018

  Iceland Palm Oil Press Release

  I shot and directed these mini videos for Iceland announcing their ban on all own brand use of Palm Oil. Working the managing director and head chef I created several pieces shooting in store and in their kitchens aiming to portray the passion felt for the creation of good food that didn't harm the environment.

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  Doodledo Motion

  Apr 2018 - Apr 2018

  Spatial Event

  For Doodledo I shot interviews and actuality footage as well as GV's of the designs and layouts of the this specialist furniture company. Vox pops and interviews in noisy dark environments weren't easy but the end result was series of slick promos the client was very happy with.

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  FiftyThreeSix

  May 2018 - May 2018

  Charity Football match

  Standard football set up with interviews after. We tried to get the emotion and wonder felt by a team playing in one of their favourite pitches raising lots of money for charity.

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  Swinton Group

  May 2018 - May 2018

  May Day Hastings Bike Run 40th Anniversary

  Again commissioned by Doodledo I spent a long day filming and interviewing a huge range of people some prearranged some I organised on the day. From the founders of the famous "May day run" 40 years ago to the Wall Of Death riders filming from inside the wall as bikes raced around me horizontally.

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  Swinton Group

  Aug 2018 - Aug 2018

  Camera Operator

  Interviews and filming before race day with some of the countries top moto GP riders for Swinton Insurance and Doodledo Motion

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  BBC Children in Need

  Oct 2018 - Dec 2018

  As Chris Evans was leaving the BBC I was asked to shoot and edit "A Big Thank You" video from young people and celebrities across the country. I had to be available with kit prepped at short notice depending on the ever changing availability of the celebrities. The edit had to undergo several revisions as the various concerned agencies and managers became involved but I delivered on time to the O2 arena technical team who broadcast it on the big screen to a huge crowd at the annual music event for BBC Children In Need. Show less

  • Shooting Producer/director

    Dec 2018 - Dec 2018

  • Shooting Producer Director

    Oct 2018 - Nov 2018
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  FREELANCE VIDEOMAKER

  Nov 2018 - Apr 2019

  Shooting Producer/Director

  I was engaged by Tin Arts and Yorkshire Dance to create several pieces of video documenting a group of dancers with disabilities as they trained together and formed an integrated dance company. I filmed auditions and accompanied them on residentials in Northumberland and Yorkshire. I finished the project after filming the premiere in November 2019. This needed to be a highly sensitive piece of filmmaking as the organisation was very keen any filming would not interfere in any way with a group of highly sensitive dancers during the delicate development period. They were very pleased with how I handled it and the end results. Show less

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  Freelance

  Jan 2021 - Feb 2021

  Videographer Producer/Director

  I was called back by Intelesant to shoot some videos supporting the elderly to keep fit and active during Covid. I supported the writer/presenter, booked the studio and made sure everything was Covid secure.After the shoot we worked remotely on the edit, I created brand centric graphics, graded and dubbed the 21 clips to the clients satisfaction.

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  The Christie NHS Foundation Trust

  Aug 2022 - Dec 2022

  Media Producer

  Lead the end-to-end production of digital video projects supporting the Senior Producer. Work independently and with the team on design and production whilst providing creative and technical expertise and support subject matter experts and health teams at all stages of development.

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  The Labour Party

  Jan 2024 - Aug 2024

  Digital Content Specialist

  To deliver highly effective digital campaigns and upskill others to do the same. Manage the social media advertising on Facebook and Youtube for MP's and candidates. To work with parliamentary candidates and teams to support and create content for their campaigns. To ensure national and local digital strategies are delivered responding quickly and decisively to changes in the political landscape.

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  Freelance

  Aug 2024 - now

  Media Communications Specialist

  With over 10 years of experience in media communications, I have successfully developed marketing content for retail clients and managed social media accounts for political campaigns. My expertise stems from my photographic and video skills and includes running multi-platform media adverts and conducting surveys and analytics.