I am an award-winning Executive Producer, Director and Format Creator with 25 years of experience delivering high-impact broadcast, digital and film content. I am recognised for creative leadership, technical innovation and driving multi-platform originals for ITV2, Channel 4, BBC, Sky, Amazon Prime, and Warner Bros. I specialise in developing, producing and launching innovative formats and in managing large international and multi-disciplinary teams across drama, unscripted, reality, comedy, and VFX / CGI projects. I have a proven ability to take productions from conception to global delivery, always on schedule, on vision and on budget.…

James Abadi

I am an award-winning Executive Producer, Director and Format Creator with 25 years of experience delivering high-impact broadcast, digital and film content. I am recognised for creative leadership, technical innovation and driving multi-platform originals for ITV2, Channel 4, BBC, Sky, Amazon Prime, and Warner Bros. I specialise in developing, producing and launching innovative formats and in managing large international and multi-disciplinary teams across drama, unscripted, reality, comedy, and VFX / CGI projects. I have a proven ability to take productions from conception to global delivery, always on schedule, on vision and on budget.…

Available to hire

I am an award-winning Executive Producer, Director and Format Creator with 25 years of experience delivering high-impact broadcast, digital and film content. I am recognised for creative leadership, technical innovation and driving multi-platform originals for ITV2, Channel 4, BBC, Sky, Amazon Prime, and Warner Bros.

I specialise in developing, producing and launching innovative formats and in managing large international and multi-disciplinary teams across drama, unscripted, reality, comedy, and VFX / CGI projects. I have a proven ability to take productions from conception to global delivery, always on schedule, on vision and on budget.

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Language

English
Fluent

Work Experience

Senior Vice President, Development & International Production at WHITE FX
September 30, 2025 - August 14, 2025
Led the development and international co-productions with major global and independent studios across the UK, France, Spain, Germany, Australia, and Brazil. Secured high-value deals, built strategic partnerships while managing a team of 250. Delivered commercials, film sequences, and TV shows, pioneering the use of technology and machine learning in creative development.
Executive Producer | VFX Producer at Phantom FX / Tippett Studios
April 30, 2025 - August 14, 2025
Led the UK arm of Phantom FX to expand the company’s European presence. Developed and produced projects integrating VFX pipelines for major clients including Netflix, Warner Bros, and BBC. Managed cross-continental projects spanning UK, Europe, Asia, and America, acting as liaison between creative teams and technical floors to ensure seamless workflows and on-time deliveries.
Co-Founder & Creative Director at Dr Pluto Films (with Fremantle Media)
December 31, 2024 - August 14, 2025
Co-founded a production company specializing in innovative, original formats for broadcast, digital, and audio. Created, developed, and produced successful formats such as ‘Hey Tracey!’ (ITV2), an AI-driven comedy quiz show; ‘Higher Ground’ (Channel 4), an experimental digital series; and various others across multiple platforms.
Executive Producer, Director, Producer (Freelance) at Various Broadcasters and Production Companies
December 31, 2024 - August 14, 2025
Held multiple roles including series director and executive producer on projects like ‘The Perfect Pitch’ (Channel 4), ‘Made Up in Belfast’ (BBC3), ‘Meet Me in the Bathroom’ (Pulse Films), and ‘Love Island Nigeria’ (Digital Play Africa), among others. Delivered creative and production leadership across various television genres and platforms.
Showrunner & Series Director at Release The Hounds (ITV2, FOX, ProSieben, etc.)
December 31, 2015 - August 14, 2025
Created, directed, and produced the award-winning ITV2 pilot. Set the creative vision and production model for the series. Established and managed an international production hub in Lithuania, delivering multi-territory adaptations for the USA, Sweden, Holland, Germany, and Lithuania. Oversaw all creative, production, and post-production activities.
Series Director & Producer at Man v Fly (Sony Pictures Television)
December 31, 2014 - August 14, 2025
Directed and produced over 100 episodes of this short-form comedy-sport series, developing the creative vision and production model to engage audiences effectively.
Multi-Camera & Reality Director at Various Broadcasters
December 31, 2015 - August 14, 2025
Directed multi-camera and reality TV for major shows including seven series of ‘Big Brother’ (Channel 4/5), ‘The Games’ (Channel 4), ‘The Match’ (Sky), ‘The Farm’ (C5), and others. Produced and directed structured reality, hidden camera comedy, and celebrity reality content.
Senior Vice President, Development & International Production at White FX
January 1, 2025 - Present
Leading development, international co-production, major strategic partnerships and expanding new business and tech-driven AI creativity.
Executive Producer & VFX Producer at Phantom FX / Tippett Studios
January 1, 2025 - September 18, 2025
Headed UK & EU expansion, overseeing project integrations for clients inc. Netflix, Warner Bros, BBC; managed diverse VFX / CGI teams across continents.
Co-Founder & Creative Director at Dr Pluto Films (Fremantle)
January 1, 2023 - September 18, 2025
Built and grew original formats studio, achieving multiple series commissions, format sales, and international hub setup; exit after successful run.
Showrunner & Series Director at Release The Hounds
December 31, 2015 - September 18, 2025
Designed production model for Pilot and subsequent series, including US & European versions with production hub in Lithuania; multiple awards, international adaptation, and critical acclaim.
Freelance Executive Producer / Director / Producer at Various
January 1, 2016 - September 18, 2025
Delivered award-winning projects across documentary, factual entertainment and reality for Channel 4, BBC, Global, ITV, Sky and more.
Senior Vice President, Development & International Production at White FX
January 1, 2025 - Present
Leading development, international co-production, major strategic partnerships and expanding new business and tech-driven AI creativity.
Executive Producer & VFX Producer at Phantom FX / Tippett Studios
January 1, 2025 - September 18, 2025
Headed UK & EU expansion, overseeing project integrations for clients including Netflix, Warner Bros, BBC; managed diverse VFX / CGI teams across continents.
Co-Founder & Creative Director at Dr Pluto Films (Fremantle)
January 1, 2023 - September 18, 2025
Built and grew original formats studio, achieving multiple series commissions, format sales, and international hub setup; exit after successful run.
Showrunner & Series Director at Release The Hounds
January 1, 2015 - September 18, 2025
Designed production model for Pilot and subsequent series, including US & European versions with production hub in Lithuania; multiple awards, international adaptation, and critical acclaim.
Freelance Executive Producer / Director / Producer at Various
January 1, 2016 - September 18, 2025
Delivered award-winning projects across documentary, factual entertainment and reality for Channel 4, BBC, Global, ITV, Sky and more.
Senior Vice President, Development & International Production at White FX
January 1, 2025 - Present
Leading development, international co-production, major strategic partnerships and expanding new business and tech-driven AI creativity.
Executive Producer & VFX Producer at Phantom FX / Tippett Studios
January 1, 2025 - October 3, 2025
Headed UK & EU expansion, overseeing project integrations for clients inc. Netflix, Warner Bros, BBC; managed diverse VFX / CGI teams across continents.
Co-Founder & Creative Director at Dr Pluto Films (Fremantle)
January 1, 2023 - October 3, 2025
Built and grew original formats studio, achieving multiple series commissions, format sales, and international hub setup; exit after successful run.
Showrunner & Series Director at Release The Hounds
January 1, 2015 - October 3, 2025
Designed production model for Pilot and subsequent series, including US & European versions with production hub in Lithuania; multiple awards, international adaptation, and critical acclaim.
Freelance Executive Producer / Director / Producer at Various
January 1, 2016 - October 3, 2025
Delivered award-winning projects across documentary, factual entertainment and reality for Channel 4, BBC, Global, ITV, Sky and more.

Education

BA Media Arts at Royal Holloway, University of London
June 3, 1996 - August 14, 1998
Bachelor of Arts at The Manchester Grammar School
September 1, 1987 - August 14, 1993
BA Media Arts at Royal Holloway, University of London
January 11, 2030 - September 18, 2025
BA Media Arts at Royal Holloway, University of London
January 11, 2030 - September 18, 2025
Secondary Education at The Manchester Grammar School
January 11, 2030 - September 18, 2025
BA Media Arts at Royal Holloway, University of London
January 11, 2030 - October 3, 2025

Qualifications

Add your qualifications or awards here.

Industry Experience

Media & Entertainment, Software & Internet, Professional Services, Telecommunications