I am a self-shotting PD, Series Director and Cinematographer with my own full kit (Sony FX6, A7S III, prime lenses, extensive lighting, gimbal, sound gear and transport). I specialise in stylish, premium master interviews with a Netflix-level visual aesthetic, and I quickly identify the tone of a piece and shoot accordingly. I have a sharp creative eye and a confident storytelling style that adapts from high-end history about the Royals to children’s science and sensitive human-interest documentaries. I have worked across one-off docs, cookery, science, medical, manufacturing, gardening, children’s and reality programming, and I’m known for building trust with challenging contributors, strong scriptwriting, editorial judgement and delivering glossy, high-quality films to tight deadlines and budgets.

Darren Coates

I am a self-shotting PD, Series Director and Cinematographer with my own full kit (Sony FX6, A7S III, prime lenses, extensive lighting, gimbal, sound gear and transport). I specialise in stylish, premium master interviews with a Netflix-level visual aesthetic, and I quickly identify the tone of a piece and shoot accordingly. I have a sharp creative eye and a confident storytelling style that adapts from high-end history about the Royals to children’s science and sensitive human-interest documentaries. I have worked across one-off docs, cookery, science, medical, manufacturing, gardening, children’s and reality programming, and I’m known for building trust with challenging contributors, strong scriptwriting, editorial judgement and delivering glossy, high-quality films to tight deadlines and budgets.

Available to hire

I am a self-shotting PD, Series Director and Cinematographer with my own full kit (Sony FX6, A7S III, prime lenses, extensive lighting, gimbal, sound gear and transport). I specialise in stylish, premium master interviews with a Netflix-level visual aesthetic, and I quickly identify the tone of a piece and shoot accordingly. I have a sharp creative eye and a confident storytelling style that adapts from high-end history about the Royals to children’s science and sensitive human-interest documentaries. I have worked across one-off docs, cookery, science, medical, manufacturing, gardening, children’s and reality programming, and I’m known for building trust with challenging contributors, strong scriptwriting, editorial judgement and delivering glossy, high-quality films to tight deadlines and budgets.

See more

Language

English
Fluent

Work Experience

Producer/Director, Camera Operator at Optomen TV
October 1, 2025 - October 31, 2025
Freelance producer/director and camera operator contracted for an October 2025 production.
Self-Shooting PD / DOP at BBC Two (Great British Menu S21)
January 1, 2025 - December 31, 2026
Returned to shoot the stylised VTs with all featured chefs around the country.
Self-Shooting PD / Edit Producer at BBC One (Garden Rescue)
January 1, 2025 - December 31, 2026
Shot 8 episodes of long-running gardening series.
Self-Shooting PD at Channel 5 (Shop Smart, Save Money)
February 1, 2025 - December 31, 2026
Shot several of the presenter-led VT strands.
DOP at Milk and Honey Media for BBC1
April 1, 2024 - April 30, 2024
Shot a series of days of interview and stylised content for a religious doc (Sikh Warriors working title).
Producer/Director at BBC Two
January 1, 2023 - December 31, 2023
Great British Menu S19: Returned to shoot the stylised VTs.
Producer / Director at Channel 5 (Avalon)
January 1, 2023 - December 31, 2023
Dogs Being (Very) Poorly: Self-shot doc stories following dogs and their owners, as they seek surgical solutions to extreme dog illnesses.
Producer/Director /Edit Producer at BBC Two
January 1, 2023 - December 31, 2023
Great British Menu S18: Produced and self-shot 50+ VTs; edited six episodes.
Series Director / Self-Shot Producer at BBC One
January 1, 2022 - December 31, 2022
We Are England: Four 30-minute documentaries with a current affairs theme.
Producer / Director at BBC Beebies
January 1, 2020 - December 31, 2021
Do You Know? C Beebies, Series 5: 10 of the 15 specials, self-shot.
Producer / Director at BBC Four
April 1, 2020 - April 1, 2020
How to Make … (with Zoe Laughlin), 3 x 60 mins.
Producer / Director at BBC Three
January 1, 2019 - December 31, 2019
BBC3 Meets Strictly Come Dancing & The Greatest Dancer (9 x short-form films).
Series Director at BBC Three
November 1, 2019 - November 30, 2019
My Mate’s A Bad Date (6 x 30 mins).
Producer / Director at Channel 5
September 1, 2019 - September 30, 2019
World’s Most Luxurious (6 x 60) TX September 2019.
Series Producer/Director at BBC Three
January 1, 2019 - December 31, 2019
Amazing Humans, Series 5 (12 x 4 mins).
Producer / Director at Beebies
January 1, 2018 - December 31, 2018
Do You Know? Series 3 (25 x 15).
Producer / Director at BBC One
February 1, 2017 - February 1, 2017
How to Holiday Better (Pilot, 1x60).
Producer / Director at Discovery TLC
January 1, 2013 - December 31, 2013
Too Ugly for Love, Series 3 (8 x 60).
Series Director / Self-Shooting PD / Cinematographer at Great British Menu S21 (BBC2)
January 1, 2025 - Present
Self-shot stylised VTs with all featured chefs around the country.
Self-Shooting PD / Edit Producer at Garden Rescue, BB1 (BBC)
January 1, 2025 - Present
Shot 8 episodes of long-running gardening series; contributed to edit and production.
Self-Shooting PD at Shop Smart, Save Money (Channel 5)
February 1, 2025 - Present
Shot presenter-led VT strands.
Producer / Director at Great British Menu S19 (BBC2)
January 1, 2023 - Present
Returned to shoot the stylised VTs – details as per previous series.
Producer / Director at Dogs Being (Very) Poorly (Channel 5 / Avalon)
January 1, 2023 - Present
Self-shot doc stories following dogs and their owners, as they seek surgical solutions to extreme dog illnesses.
Producer / Director at Great British Menu S18 (BBC2)
January 1, 2023 - Present
Produced and self-shot over 50 stylised, chef-biog and ‘inspiration behind the dish’ VTs; edited and produced six episodes.
DOP at Sikh Warriors (working title), Milk and Honey Media for BBC1
April 1, 2024 - April 30, 2024
DOP on interview and stylised content for religious doc.
Producer / Director at We Are England (BBC1)
January 1, 2022 - Present
Produced and self-shot four 30-minute documentaries with a current affairs theme.
Producer / Director at Do You Know? CBeebies, Series 5
January 1, 2021 - Present
Produced and self-shot 10 of the 15 specials; 5 eps about plants shot at the Eden Project and 5 about Space.
Producer / Director at How to Make … (with Zoe Laughlin), BBC4
April 1, 2020 - April 30, 2020
Designer and materials engineer explores, deconstructs and makes everyday items.
Producer/Director at BBC3 Meets Strictly Come Dancing & The Greatest Dancer
January 1, 2019 - Present
Stylised, self-shot short-form films about the Professional Dancers / contestants.
Series Director at My Mate’s A Bad Date, BBC3
November 1, 2019 - November 30, 2019
Oversaw and shot this new dating series.
Producer / Director at World’s Most Luxurious, Channel 5
September 1, 2019 - September 30, 2019
Produced and directed two of the six episodes; obs docs across the world.
Series Producer/Director at Amazing Humans, BBC3, Series 5
January 1, 2019 - December 31, 2019
Self-shot & edit produced stylised shorts featuring inspirational individuals.
Producer / Director at Do You Know? CBeebies, Series 3
January 1, 2018 - December 31, 2018
Produced and self-shot 25 x 15; plants and Space eps for a children’s science show.
Producer / Director at How to Holiday Better. BBC1
February 1, 2017 - February 28, 2017
Predominantly self-shot (Sony FS7); edited and produced pilot.
Producer / Director at Too Ugly for Love, Discovery TLC
January 1, 2013 - December 31, 2013
Self-shot and produced doc; international segments.
Series Director at What to Buy and Why, 7Wonder for BBC2
January 1, 2016 - February 29, 2016
Forged visual format; shot main presenter content; edit produced content.
Series Producer/Director at Dance Mums with Jennifer Ellison, ITV
January 1, 2015 - December 31, 2015
Senior Director on returning reality series.
Series Director / Edit Producer at Extreme Beauty Disasters, Discovery TLC
January 1, 2015 - December 31, 2015
Directed Studio elements; hero and title shots.
Producer/Director at The Charlotte Crosby Experience, Discovery TLC
January 1, 2014 - December 31, 2014
Stylised travel show; directed and edit produced episode.
Senior Producer/Director at My Naked Secret, Discovery TLC
January 1, 2014 - December 31, 2014
Produced, directed and edit produced 6–12 episodes.
Series Director at Extreme Beauty Disasters, Discovery TLC Series 2
January 1, 2014 - December 31, 2014
Directed multiple episodes.
Producer/Director at Embarrassing Bodies, Channel 4
February 1, 2013 - December 31, 2013
Series 6; set up and directed content; covered as Series Producer during summer.
Producer/Director at Embarrassing Bodies (Series 3)
January 1, 2010 - December 31, 2010
Directed 12 x 60 mins; various specials.
Researcher / AP at Dragons’ Den
January 1, 2008 - December 31, 2008
Researcher / AP on Series 6.
Researcher at 10 Years Younger
January 1, 2007 - December 31, 2007
Researcher on Series 5.
Researcher at Location, Location, Britain’s Best & Worst (Online Content)
January 1, 2007 - December 31, 2007
Researcher for Maverick TV online content.
Researcher at Star Portraits with Rolf Harris, BBC1
January 1, 2006 - December 31, 2006
Celebrity-based arts programme; researcher.
Self-Shooting PD/DOP at Great British Menu
January 1, 2025 - January 1, 2026
Returned to shoot the stylised VTs with all featured chefs around the country.
Self-Shooting PD / Edit Producer at Garden Rescue
January 1, 2025 - January 1, 2026
Shot 8 episodes of long running gardening series. (Series Producer: Debb Swindells / Commissioner: Caroline O’Neil, BBC)
Self-Shooting PD at Shop Smart, Save Money
February 1, 2025 - December 31, 2025
Shot several of the presenter led VT strands. (Series Producer: Graham Smiles)
DOP at Milk and Honey Media
April 1, 2024 - April 30, 2024
Sikh Warriors (working title) for BBC1: Shot a series of days of interview and stylised content for a religious doc.
Producer/Director at Great British Menu S19
January 1, 2023 - December 31, 2023
Returned to shoot the stylised VTs – chef biographies and related material.
Producer / Director at Dogs Being (Very) Poorly
January 1, 2023 - December 31, 2023
Self-shot doc stories following dogs and their owners, as they seek surgical solutions to extreme dog illnesses.
Producer/Director /Edit Producer at Great British Menu S18
January 1, 2023 - December 31, 2023
Produced and self-shot over 50 stylised, chef-biog and ‘inspiration behind the dish’ VTs. Also edited and produced six episodes.
DOP at Sikh Warriors
April 1, 2024 - April 30, 2024
DOP on a religious documentary (Milk and Honey Media for BBC1).
Producer/Director at We Are England
January 1, 2022 - December 31, 2022
Produced and self-shot four, one-off, 30 minute documentaries with a current affairs theme.
Producer / Director at Do You Know? C Beebies
January 1, 2020 - December 31, 2021
Series 5: Produced and self-shot 10 of the 15 specials of the popular Children’s science programme presented by Maddie Moate.
Producer/Director at How to Make … (with Zoe Laughlin)
April 1, 2020 - April 30, 2020
Designer and materials engineer explores, deconstructs and makes everyday items.
Producer / Director at World’s Most Luxurious
September 1, 2019 - September 30, 2019
Produced and directed two of the six episodes (Homes and Aeroplanes).
Series Producer/Director at Amazing Humans, BBC3
January 1, 2019 - December 31, 2019
Self-shot & edit produced stylised short-films featuring inspirational individuals & stories.
Producer / Director at Do You Know? C Beebies
January 1, 2018 - December 31, 2018
Series 3: Produced and self-shot (Sony FS7) the popular Children’s science programme.
Producer / Director at How to Holiday Better
February 1, 2017 - February 28, 2017
Pilot for a new format, predominantly self-shot with a focus on travel tips.
Producer / Director at Too Ugly for Love
January 1, 2013 - December 31, 2013
Disability/medical reality series following couples seeking one another in TLC.
Series Director / Edit Producer at What to Buy and Why
January 1, 2016 - December 31, 2016
Forged visual format and shot main presenter content/strands; edited content.
Series Producer/Director at Dance Mums with Jennifer Ellison
January 1, 2015 - December 31, 2015
Returning reality series for ITV/Lifetime; directed and edited multiple episodes.
Producer / Director at Location, Location, Location (Revisit / Reversion Episode)
January 1, 2015 - December 31, 2015
Directed catch-up stories including first long-lost contributor revisit.
Series Director / Edit Producer at Extreme Beauty Disasters, Series 3
January 1, 2015 - December 31, 2015
Directed and cross-shot studio elements; guided Talent Hero and Title shots.
Producer/Director at The Charlotte Crosby Experience
January 1, 2014 - December 31, 2014
Stylised travel show; directed and edit-produced the Hutterite episode.
Senior Producer/Director at My Naked Secret, Series 3
January 1, 2014 - December 31, 2014
Responsible for producing, directing and edit producing 6 of 12 episodes.
Series Director at Extreme Beauty Disasters, Series 2
January 1, 2014 - December 31, 2014
Directed series 2 episodes for Discovery TLC.

Education

Add your educational history here.

Qualifications

Add your qualifications or awards here.

Industry Experience

Media & Entertainment, Telecommunications, Professional Services