•    20+ years TV production experience

•    15+ years directing for US & UK broadcasters

•    Extensive worldwide location filming experience

•    Proven team leader and show runner

•    In-depth knowledge of technical production

•    Experienced, credited cameraman and editor

 

Brian Leckey

 

Producer/Director

+1 650 804 4444

brian@leckey.tv

www.leckey.tv

Digging for the Truth    Series 1    
Director                                          2005  JWM Productions for The History Channel
Directed 5 x 50’ presenter-led adventure / archaeology films shot in Egypt, Israel, Ethiopia, Zimbabwe and South Africa. Shot in HD, these shows included dramatic reconstructions as well as documentary elements.

Bonneville Bikers   

Director / Editor                                                              

Directed and edited character-led film about 3 biker teams attempting to break landspeed records on the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah.

Thunder Races    
Director / Writer                                       2003  Leopard Films for Discovery Europe
1x50’. Multi-camera, character-led reality build-it show about 3 teams performing car conversions against the clock. Directed 3 crews for build and race days; wrote script and edited.
Thunder Races    
Director / Writer   Leopard films for Discovery Europe
1x50’. Multi-camera, character-led reality build-it show about 3 teams performing car conversions against the clock. Directed 3 crews for build and race days; wrote script and edited.
Thunder Races    
Director / Writer   Leopard films for Discovery Europe
1x50’. Multi-camera, character-led reality build-it show about 3 teams performing car conversions against the clock. Directed 3 crews for build and race days; wrote script and edited.
Time Titans   
Director / Writer   JWM Productions for The History Channel 
1x50’ pilot. Directed 3 crews over 3 day shoot; also co-wrote historical reality show.  Presented by Patrick Warburton with academic contributors. Directed costumed reconstructions with actors. Commissioned 3D graphics and music.
Junkyard Wars        
Producer / Director                                     2001   RDF media for TLC / Channel 4 
Produced & directed 5 crews for 2 day reality build-it show. 
Wrote script and supervised edit.
RUSH   
Director / Writer                                            2000                       BBC Television
10 short films, shot on DV, edited and uploaded to website while on location.

Digging for the Truth - The Da Vinci Code   

Director / Writer                              2005  JWM Productions for The History Channel

On the trail of the truth behind the bloodline alleged in the Da Vinci Code.

Shot in France, Israel and Turkey.

Digging for the Truth - Vikings, Voyage to America   

Director / Writer                              2005 JWM Productions for The History Channel

Retracing the Vikings’ epic voyage across the Atlantic -- searching for proof that they beat Columbus to America by 500 years.

Shot in Denmark, Iceland, Greenland and Newfoundland.

Digging for the Truth - Stonehenge   

Director                                           2006 JWM Productions for The History Channel

From the depths of a 5,000-year-old copper mine to an ancient quarry from which the stones were carved, Josh deploys the latest archaeological evidence to reveal who built this great monument.

Extreme Machines - Daring Aviators    
Director / Writer                                                  1999  Pioneer Productions for TLC
1x50’ about the pilots who push themselves and their machines to the limit. Shot around the world from Alaska to Africa, exploring the ultimate aviation challenge – flying around the world solo.
Tornado! - Chasers 
Director / Writer                                                  1999  Pioneer Productions for TLC
A 1x50’ character-led film following chasers around Tornado Alley for 6 weeks. Directed and coordinated 4 crews. Followed survivors and interviewed scientists in the wake of the biggest tornado to hit Oklahoma City. Shot reconstruction footage. complement chasers’ footage.
Extreme Machines - The Landspeed Record   
Director / Writer                                                 1998  Pioneer Productions for TLC
The history of this epic race, condensed to 1x50’. Using archive and interviews with the key drivers who have held the record. Shot in Australia, UK and USA.
Extreme Machines - Supercars  
Director / Writer                                                 1998  Pioneer Productions for TLC
1x50’ celebrating the cars that stand out from the crowd. Shot in Italy, UK and USA.
Extreme Machines - Jump Jet    
Director / Writer                                                 2000  Pioneer Productions for TLC
1x50’ on the 50 year quest for vertical flight, profiling the only successful VTOL aircraft, the Harrier. Shot with the US Marines onboard USS Saipan in the Atlantic, as well as with the RAF in Scotland.
2000 Today    
VT Producer                                                         2000   BBC / PBS
Edited and turned around VT packages for live 24-hour broadcast transmitted worldwide.
Behind Closed Doors  
Avid Editor                                                          1997              BBC Television
30’ film about a closed community; first BBC documentary to be edited on Avid Xpress system.
Consultant,  Smart Venture - BBC TV Production 
Employed by BBC Production directorate on senior consultancy team to advise producers and production departments on how to take advantage of new digital technology, as well as enabling management to incorporate new production processes into both budgets and strategy.
The Air Show - BBC TV  
Director                                                                                 1997  BBC Television                                                 
Researched and directed 15x5’ films which included flying across the Atlantic in a US Air Force Galaxy, and featured an aerial safari in a vintage Dakota in South Africa. I also directed and Avid edited a strand featuring a presenter learning to fly.
The Boat Show - BBC TV  
Director                                                                                 1997  BBC Television
Directed & edited an item about a revolutionary new sail design, shot on a yacht on San Francisco Bay and in a factory in Nevada. I also directed and edited on Avid a program about dingy sailing in England. Worked in OB VT to edit fast turnaround. itemsPSC items.
Line Producer - Songs of Praise specials, BBC TV  
I set up filming days, hired and supervised crews, organized helicopter filming and managed locations - I also negotiated music and archive clearances, and coordinated all post-production. As Production Manager I was responsible for managing and controlling the budget for the whole series.
Assistant Producer - BBC VE/VJ Day Commemorations 
I was involved in all aspects of the production of the VE and VJ Day commemoration programs - from planning and researching content and OB locations, to directing insert films. I was also responsible for coordinating a team of Researchers and Assistant Producers.
Trainee Assistant Producer - BBC Religion  
Organized logistics for locations, hired facilities, and liaised with contributors and the public. I directed VT or vision-mixed some live transmissions. For music documentary series The Cry, I located archive footage to illustrate specially-commissioned music.
Technical Operator,  BBC Post Production
Joined BBC as a trainee VT operator. 4 months residential training at BBC Wood Norton training school, followed by 1 year on station training. Operated VT machines for live transmissions and recordings, worked in edit suites as an edit assistant. Attached to BBC News during the first Gulf War.
Training
1987 - Introduction to television operations 
            BBC Wood Norton training school (4 months residential)
1990 - Qualifying recording operator 
            BBC Wood Norton training school
1991 -  Avid Non Linear editing 
            National Film School: Beaconsfield, UK
1994 - Directing Single Camera for Television 
            National Film School: Beaconsfield, UK
1998 - Program Finance, Negotiating skills
            BBC Production Training, UK
2003 - DSR 500 Camera operation
            DV Talent/UK SkillSet: London, UK
Assistant Producer - BBC Events Programmes  
Directed insert films and worked on live outside broadcasts for a variety of productions from Crufts dog show to State funerals.
He’s Gotta Have It       
Producer / Director                                    2002  Outline Productions for Discovery Europe
2x30’ presenter-led celebrity gadget series. I also edited on Final Cut Pro.

Click on image for video clip...

Deadly Sports   
Director / Camera / Editor                           2001  Princess Productions for C5
2x30’ shot and directed shows about bungy jumping and banger car racing. 
Filmed solo in UK, USA and New Zealand. 
Edited myself on Final Cut Pro.
Download full resume / CVResume_files/BrianleckeyCV0209.pdf

Digging for the Truth - Mummies   

Director / Writer                              2006  JWM Productions for The History Channel

Exploring the ancient Egyptians’ belief in the afterlife.

All Access - Bonneville Speed Week

Producer/ Director                                               2006  National Geographic Channel

Behind the scenes of the fastest race meeting on the planet.  Location director and additional camera.

Weapon Masters - Series Producer / show runner

Series Producer             2007- 2008  Half Yard Productions for Discovery Channel

Developed series, cast hosts and production team. Oversaw team of 20 during production of 10x60 episodes shot in HD at workshop studio and on international locations.

Landspeed Shootout

Producer / Director                                           Sept 2008   Brian Leckey Associates  

Produced and directed 3 crews following a unique meeting of the fastest vehicles on the planet at the Bonneville Salt Flats. This film captures the excitement, frustration, danger of attempting to be the fastest. Raised production finance and currently pitching to broadcasters.

Bhutan: Kingdom of Happiness? 
Co-producer / Camera / Editor           Nov. 2008    National Geographic International
Co-produced an independent documentary about the coronation of the new King of Bhutan and the remote Himalayan country’s transition to democracy. Edited and shot additional camera.

Weapon Masters - Katana

Series Producer/Director         2007- Half Yard Productions for Discovery Channel

Wrote and directed pilot episode for 10 part series. Shot in Japan, California and Washington DC workshop studio.

Mythbusters

Producer / Director                         Beyond Productions for Discovery Channel 

Directed Tory, Kari, Grant and Jessi for 10 episodes, including Bus jump, Death by Diving, Car Skip, Driving in the Dark, Conifer Catapult, Gorn Cannon, Cliff Hangers, Angle of Dangle, Earwax Candle, Bulletproof Car.

Channel 4 News (UK)
Camera/Editor                                ITN for Channel 4
Shot 3 news features about the Gulf oil spill with senior correspondent Alex Thompson for Channel 4 news (UK).
Edited on location and fed via satellite to London.

The Volcano that stopped the world

Director/Camera                             Pioneer Productions for Discovery Channel /C4


Directed and shot fast turn-around HD doc in Iceland. Filmed Volcanologist on helicopter survey of Volcano, including landing on the lip of the erupting volcano.

Curiosity

Director                                                     Discovery Studios for Discovery Channel


Location directed shoot for upcoming Discovery series.

http://dsc.discovery.com/tv/curiosity/

Ack Attack: The Fastest Bike in the World

Executive Producer / Director       Sept 2010   Content Canning Company  


Produced and directed 4 HD crews following the Ack Attack team on their successful campaign to break the motorcycle Landspeed Record.

Raised production finance from corporate sponsors.

Broadcaster - Discovery Velocity Channel

Japan’s Killer Quake
Director/Camera               Pioneer Productions for PBS NOVA /Channel 4

Directed and filmed segments for fast turn-around HD documentary.
The Year The Earth Went Wild
Producer/Director               Pioneer Productions for Discovery /Channel 4

Directed and filmed segments for fast turn-around HD documentary.
Steve Jobs: One Last Thing...
Producer/Director              Pioneer Productions for WGBH /Channel 4

Directed segments and interviewed participants for fast turn-around documentary.
Top 1 Oil - corporate iPad app
Producer/designer              Content Canning Company for Top 1 Oil

Designed and produced iPad app, supervised off-shore developers.