I've directed prime-time factual TV for BBC2 and BBC3, Channel4, 5 and Discovery/TLC.
I bring clear well-thought-out leadership based on solid experience and expertise. I'm also a stylish and distinctive self-shooter, passionate about character-led stories. I have very substantial experience in both scripted and unscripted storytelling across a wide spectrum of genres - from authored ob-doc actuality to formatted factual entertainment and drama.
I've worked in the US and New York and was based in Australia for five years. Previously I directed commercials in London and drama in Hamburg for NDR.
Documentary
Terry & Liz - Cobblers to the World
BBC2 9.50pm - Trouble at the Top: Series 8 Ep2
Highly regarded, documentary classic about shoe designer Terry de Havilland’s big comeback: his surprise return to the world of high fashion decades after most people thought he was dead. More...
BBC Business Unit - 1 x 39mins, Self-shot (and edit produced)
"A touching documentary with much to say about the contentious interface of art and commerce..." The Sunday Times
"Bitter-sweet and full of humanity writ small" The Scotsman
Dave West - Hey Jo
BBC2 9.50pm - Trouble at the Top: Series 9 Ep9
Authored observational-documentary for the prime-time BBC2 strand following the late Dave West, bumptious millionaire on his quest for love and happiness. More...
BBC Business Unit - 1 x 39mins, Self-shot (and edit produced)
“Witty, and very stylish…. the most enjoyable thing I’ve seen in a long while”
Robert Thirkell
The Monastery - US
Six-Part Series for TLC (US) - Series 1 Eps 1, 3 & 5
Critically-acclaimed observational documentary series following five non-believers as they spend 40 days and 40 nights in a Benedictine monastery in New Mexico. More episodes ...
Tiger Aspect - Exec Charles Brand, Comm. Ed. Mark Finklelpearl
5 x 60mins, Self-shot (and edit produced)
"I've never seen a TV show explore spiritual issues in such compelling fashion."
Andrew Wallenstein - NPR
Britain’s Benefit Tenants
Channel 4 - 9pm - Series 1 Ep3
Observational documentary series about the UK social housing crisis.
Nominated 2016 RTS Scotland Award, Best Documentary and Specialist Factual
IWC - Exec Elspeth O'Hare, Comm Ed. Anna Miralis
1 x 60 mins Self-shot (and edit produced)
The Complainers
Channel 4 - 9pm - Series 1 Ep3
Observational documentary series about some of Britain's most awkward customers.
Dragonfly Pictures - Execs Simon Dickson, Mark Raphael, Series Prod. Matt Pelly, Comm Ed. Nick Mirsky
1 x 60 mins Self-shot (and edit produced)
Factual Entertainment
Don’t Tell the Bride: Rena & Wesley
BBC 3 - 9pm - Series 8
The BBC3 flagship fact ent series where the groom organizes the wedding. Sensitive subject. West Indian groom and disowned Sikh bride.
Renegade Pictures - Execs Sarah May, Rebecca Byatti, Comm Ed. James Hayes
1 x 60 mins Self-shot (and edit produced)
Barely Legal Drivers: Jac & Hannah
Channel 4 - 9pm - S1 Ep3
Two young drivers are secretly watched by their parents and a former traffic cop with the chance to get a car or go back to driving school. I was asked to bring an ob doc feel to the episode.
Renegade Pictures - Exec Harry Lansdown, Comm Ed. Sam Bickley
1 x 60 mins Self-shot (and edit produced)
Four in a Bed: Brighton Surf Hotel
Channel 4
Iconic fact ent format which sees Bed & Breakfast owners compete to be the best value for money B&B each week
Studio Lambert - Exec Paula Fasht, Comm Ed. Sagina Shabaya / Helen Cooke
5 x 30 mins
Too Ugly for Love?
TLC
Glossy returning series for TLC/Discovery - raising the veil on the trials of dating with a hidden medical condition.
Betty - Exec Ian Carr, Comm Ed. Mark Procter (Sarah Thornton)
6 x 60 mins Self-shot
Honey We're Killing the Kids: The Bainbridge’s
BBC 3 - 9pm
Intimate ob doc access for the life-changing BBC family format.
BBC Manchester - Exec Helen Nightingale
1 x 60 mins Self-shot (and edit produced)
Demolition with Kevin McCloud: Housing
Channel 4 - 9pm - Series 1 Ep 3
Three-part series about Britain’s most unpopular buildings hosted by presenters Kevin McCloud and Janet Street-Porter.
Oxford TV - Exec Nick Kent, Series Prod Kate Middleton
1 x 60mins Self-shot (and edit produced)
Drama
Magic
NDR International
Six-part drama series in English and set in Hamburg follows the backstage stories of the cast of a fictional musical, loosely based on the German production of Andrew Lloyd-Webber's 'Cats'. The musical 'show-within-the-show' was shot on one of Germany's largest sound stages and was composed, designed, constructed, choreographed, and staged in parallel with pre-production and the first weeks of location filming. Principle photography on the series was completed in just 75 shooting days with a full 35mm crew. All episodes were directed by Chester Dent. Script by television veteran Paul Wheeler.
(6 x 52mins, 35mm Arriflex)
Short Film
Revolver
Short Film with Liam Neeson written and directed by Chester Dent
Winner of a dozen awards, including Critics' Week Cannes, Aix, Chicago, Tokyo, Brest, Munich and the Kino award in Melbourne. Shown at more than 40 festivals world-wide, sold in 15 territories.
(35mm Panavision)
Commercials
1988-1992 Commercials Director
Numerous commercials for agencies, among others Bates Dorland, Saatchi and Saatchi including Clio Award winning Starlight Express commercial.
Australia
2007-13 Based in Australia where I directed factual series for ABC1 and SBS including Angels in New York, Vet School and Selling Houses Australia.
AIDC Masterclass - Casting Characters for Documentary
A talk given at the invitation of the Adelaide International Documentary Conference including video clips from various documentaries I produced and directed. You can see complete episodes and the full-length BBC documentaries here.
Education
National Film & TV School, Beaconsfield, UK
Direction Graduate
Mentors: Stephen Frears, Mike Leigh, Mike Newell.
University College London
BA Hons. English Literature
Tutors: Dan Jacobson, Karl Miller, John Sutherland
Northgate Grammar School, Ipswich, UK
Training
Open University
Interface Design (HCI) and Relational Databases
as part of MSc. in Computing for Commerce and Industry
Apple Developer University, San José, California
Multimedia Development with QuickTime VR
Skills
Camera
Canon C300, 5D Mk II, XF305
Sony PMW300, F800, F5, FS7
Panasonic HDX900, S1H
Editing
Final Cut Pro, Avid Xpress
Health & Safety Accreditation
BBC Safe Management of Productions Part 1
BBC Safe Management of Productions Part 2
BBC Safe Manual Handling Techniques for Camera and Sound Operators
BBC Interactive Health & Safety Training
BBC Safeguarding Trust
Memberships
Directors UK
Working Visas
UK
Australia