Name James Barnes Role Television director | Education University of Brighton | |
James Barnes (born 25 November 1979) is a British television director from Portsmouth, England.
Contents
Early life
He studied Sport & Exercise Science at the University of Brighton, and Broadcast Journalism at Highbury College, Portsmouth after winning a place on the BBC News Sponsorship Scheme.
Career
He worked for 6 years as a professional tennis coach in Brighton, Portsmouth and Greece. Then, whilst on the BBC News course he worked for them on BBC Radio 4’s ‘The Today Programme’ and BBC News 24’s Sport department.
After 6 months as a Video Journalist at the Press Association, Barnes became a researcher with MTV News. He progressed through to Senior Producer of News, and Live Music & Documentary director.
In 2009 he came up with the concept for MTV Staying Alive’s annual documentary featuring Travis McCoy of the Gym Class Heroes. McCoy travels to South Africa, Philippines and India to visit Staying Alive Foundation grantees, seeing the work they do in the fight against HIV & AIDS. The documentary will be premiered on MTV and MTV HD on World AIDS day 2009. The charity track that McCoy is making as a result of the trip will be released at the MTV Europe Music Awards in Berlin in November 2009.
In 2010 he shot and directed Pete Doherty : In 24 Hours which garnered much media attention and spawned a series.
From 2009-2012 he was a member of the RTS Futures committee, chaired by Alex Graham and Peter Bazalgette.
In 2011 Barnes directed MTV's documentary special to celebrate the life of Amy Winehouse.
Between 2012 and 2016 Barnes directed the live Backstage Show from the MTV EMA in Frankfurt, Amsterdam, Glasgow, Milan and Rotterdam. Hosts included Tim Kash, Laura Whitmore, Will Best, Ariana Grande, Sway Calloway and Becca Dudley. Guests on the show included Katy Perry, Justin Bieber, Lady Gaga, Taylor Swift, Psy, Lana Del Rey, Novak Djokovic, Martin Garrix, Charli XCX, Kings Of Leon, 30 Seconds To Mars.
In 2014 he moved to a full time role at Globe Productions, part of Universal Music Group UK. Here he combined developing ideas and treatment writing with producing and directing content for broadcasters, brands and artists. This included the Live Colourful Life collaboration between Lethal Bizzle, David Arnold, Sinead Harnett and Bulmers in 2015, and Future Sounds for Channel 4 in 2016, featuring Mistajam, Blossoms, Alessia Cara, Barns Courtney and Izzy Bizu.
He became a freelance director in June 2017, retaining a consultancy role at Universal.
Filmography
Assistant Producer
Pick Me MTV
MTV News
Producer Director
Rihanna Making The Video – Shut Up And Drive
Backstage at the EMA’s 2007 with Joss Stone
Craig David Making The Video – ‘Let’s Dance’
Backstage at the EMA’s 2008 with Sugababes
Lil’ Wayne’s World
I Hate 2008
Harry Potter ‘Half Blood Prince’ VT for MTV Movie Awards 2009
Help For Haiti Now (London)
On Set With Nicole Scherzinger
On Set With The Vamps (2014, 2015)
On Set With Professor Green
Producer
London 2012 Olympics (Hockey)
Director
Staying Alive: Travis McCoy’s Unbeaten Track
An MTV Special: A Tribute To Amy Winehouse
MTV Live: Little Mix
MTV Live: The Vamps
MTV Live: Union J
MTV Live: Conor Maynard
MTV Live: Oxegen Festival
MTV EMA: Backstage Live (2012, 2013, 2014, 2016)
Series Director
Pete Doherty In 24 Hours
Daisy Lowe In 24 Hours
Sarah Harding in 24 Hours
Kelly Osbourne in 24 Hours
Channel 4's Future Sounds