Mark Bates
agent: Camilla Chiverton - camilla@sternwild.com
Mark is a director and senior edit producer specialising in presenter-led and premium retrospective docs.
With a passion for history, fashion, biography, travel and the arts, he has delivered major documentary series for all the UK channels and many global broadcasters including CNN, PBS and Disney+.
He has a track record of getting the very best from presenters and celebrity talent, and has directed Joanna Lumley, Mary Berry, Jamie Oliver, Richard E. Grant, Catherine Tate, Michael Mosley and Cerys Matthews amongst many others, and filmed interviews with global icons from Paul McCartney to Elon Musk.
He cut his teeth as a production trainee in the BBC Arts department, going on to direct long-running favourites like HORIZON and 24 HOURS IN A&E before becoming a returning director on WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE? and Joanna Lumley’s travelogues.
In recent years, he has focused on premium archive-driven docuseries and dramadocs including THE WINDSORS: INSIDE THE ROYAL DYNASTY for CNN and AFRICA’S GREAT CIVILIZATIONS for PBS. He recently edit produced across three episodes of the much talked-about Disney+ fashion retrospective IN VOGUE: THE 90s before going on to polish all episodes to final delivery. Prior to that Mark edit produced ep2 of EVA LONGORIA: SEARCHING FOR MEXICO for CNN.
As a veteran edit producer, Mark enjoys crafting multi-layered series. He’s adept at finding creative solutions in the edit, managing multiple stakeholders and multiple edits to get difficult series over the line. He’s skilled at crafting complex narratives, and brings clarity and meticulous attention to detail to every project.
He is experienced at leading large teams on location and has filmed all over the world including Africa, Australia and the Middle East. He strives to build a warm, supportive atmosphere on set where everyone can do their best work.