PRODUCER
DIRECTOR
Over the past 25 years Chris Cowey has built a world-class reputation in the TV industry, producing and directing some of the most ground-breaking and successful music shows in the world.
The son of a miner, born and bred in the North East of England, Chris began his career at Tyne Tees Television in Newcastle as a presenter and researcher and graduated to producer working on the pioneering live TV show 'The Tube' for Channel 4 throughout the 80's.
He then went on to produce major TV events like 'The Brit Awards' (ITV), Glastonbury (C4, BBC 1 & 2) as well as creating and producing critically acclaimed music show 'The White Room' for Channel 4 at the end of the 90's, a multi-award winning live music programme. This groundbreaking show was notable for its unique pristine look, widely copied design, and bold music policy.
Chris was poached by The BBC in 1997 to take over their iconic weekly music show 'Top of the Pops'. He was responsible for transforming the programme into an internationally renowned brand. Under his tenure as Executive Producer and Director, and ‘Top Of The Pops’ Brand Director, viewing figures doubled to over five million, there were various successful format extensions (CD, DVD, Interactive, BBC3 and CBBC shows) and it was rolled out internationally to 126 countries in a live music format.
Photographer: IAMBENJI
He has since worked in a variety of entertainment genres, appearing as himself in actors’ singing competition; 'Soapstar Superstar' (ITV), directing west end musical theatre, shooting English restoration plays, comedy, sport shows, quiz shows, even video games.
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Chris has worked closely with many huge musical acts, and is widely acclaimed for his passion in capturing live music performances, ensuring artists are directed and reproduced faithfully with state of the art audio, lighting and pictures.
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Equally at home with Ultra HD, 3-D and 360 he has recently directed and produced groundbreaking video games, shooting 4K TV programmes and has filmed 'Haçienda Classics' for Channel 4 TV and Sony Films.
Other projects include directing ‘The Virtual Grand National’ (ITV Sport) and the ‘44th Professional Footballers’ Association Awards’, featuring talents as diverse as David Beckham and J Hus (BBC/Worldwide TV and Facebook). Chris is currently working on both shows again for 2018
Chris is currently post producing a live concert, recently shot in East London using brand new cutting edge camera technology. Chris said, “The quality and versatility that the digital revolution has brought is making a huge difference to capturing live performance and I love being at the sharp end of that. Whether I’m using 8k cameras or half a dozen Go-Pros, compelling content is still critical.”
He is also partnering on the global digital start up ‘B.There’ details of which will be launched later this year.
Passionate about live music and making it work creatively and commercially, Chris works with a diverse array of talented people globally to create award winning TV, film, theatre and multimedia experiences.
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Credit highlights include:
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The Tube
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The White Room
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Top of The Pops
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The Brit Awards
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Glastonbury Festival
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Sony PlayStation/X-Box
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BBC
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Channel Four
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Cirque du Soleil
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ITV
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Junior Eurovision Song Contest 2016
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Professional Footballers Association Awards 2017
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Virtual Grand National 2017
For further information please contact: info@chriscowey.tv
