User talk:86.143.70.237/Will Brenton

WILL BRENTON was born in Leeds in 1962 but grew up in Liverpool. He graduated from the Welsh College of Music and Drama before appearing in The West End’s highly acclaimed Blood Brothers playing Sammy opposite Kiki Dee and Stephanie Lawrence. Television appearances included ‘Inspector Morse’, ‘Flying Lady’ and presenter of BBC’s ‘Playdays’. Whilst at ‘Playdays’ he was trained to direct, and directed more than 100 episodes before a two year stint directing ‘Coronation Street’ and ‘Emmerdale’.

Since then he has risen to the top of his profession, creating some of today’s best known programmes for children, and receiving many awards, including a BAFTA, a ROYAL TELEVISION SOCIETY AWARD, as well as five BAFTA nominations and another 14 awards and nominations, ranging from Best Animation to Best International Show (BROADCAST AWARDS, BRITISH ANIMATION AWARDS)

He is best known for creating, writing, producing and directing shows for children through his own production companies, first ‘Tell-Tale Productions’ and now ‘Wish Films’. He created and produced the biggest commission ever given out by the BBC for children, ‘The Tweenies’ (390 episodes) and ITV’s biggest ever commission ‘Jim Jam and Sunny’ (260 Episodes).

His programme creations include:

‘THE TWEENIES’ This, the biggest commission ever awarded by the BBC, has been running for seven years and is still one of their top rated kids shows. Three BAFTA nominations, one BAFTA win and a host of other awards..

BOO! An animation series for the BBC. The idea was to find Boo! In a new place each week. 104 episodes and a Christmas special were made, and the show was nominated for a BAFTA, Best Animation (British Animation Awards) and Best Children’s Programme (Broadcast Awards).

‘FUN SONG FACTORY’: This show started as a video phenomenon, selling over 750,000 copies – It was then picked up by GMTV and a series of 52 episodes was made in 1998 and a more modern version was made for ITV1 in 2004. It was nominated for a Best Live Action Show BAFTA award.

‘BB3B’	:	An animated sit-com for older kids – 6-10 years old based on the issues of sibling rivalry. In 2005 viewers voted it their favourite section of the BAFTA winning ‘Dik’n’Dom show, and again in 20006 viewers voted it their favourite part of the Sunday morning BBC kids magazine show SMILE.

JIM JAM AND SUNNY: This is the biggest ever commission ever given out by ITV. This show started airing in December 2006, where it has more than doubled the audience share for it’s slot within two weeks, and has beaten Cbeebies.

LIVE SHOWS: Will has also co-written over 28 live shows, from traditional pantomimes to the huge arena shows for characters including ‘The Tweenies’, ‘Cbeebies’, ‘Bob the Builder’, ‘Thomas the Tank Engine’, ‘Noddy’, ‘Postman Pat’, and this year ‘Bratz’. Later this year he and his creative partner iain Lauchlan are mounting the 'Bob the Builder' experience at the British Science Museum, and the world tour of 'Bob the Builder' and also a christmas offering for the Circus Space, London.

Will continues to create new television shows and is also developing various books for children of all ages. He is now hoping to start doing even more directing work, and developing his career toward classic children’s drama, and innovative television projects.

Will is a member of MENSA. Sits on the Skillset East Panel and lives in Hertfordshire.

Wish Films can be located a www.wishfilms.com

Will Brenton can be contacted via www.willbrenton.com