James Brown

Born in New Plymouth, NZ. I have always been a creative person excelling in art from an early age. Throughout my teenage years I developed as an artist across painting, photography and print.

During my BFA at Elam School of Fine Arts, I majored in Intermedia and began directing and editing short films, I received a number of scholarships during my study and developed a passion for storytelling through narrative film, culminating in a student featurette film shot on 16mm.

Since graduating I have developed as an offline editor working across all editing platforms. During this time I have discovered a love of building my various passions for beautiful images, design and story into documentary films.

I have edited for New Zealand’s top documentary filmmakers: Annie Goldson, Pietra Brettkelly, Tom & Sumner Burstyn and regularly edit for producers of TV and online content for corporate and community outreach programs: Ogilvy, FarmerClark, The Human Rights Commission, The Learning Connexion and Myspace.

My experience as an editor proves invaluable when it comes to directing my own work. I have directed numerous short documentaries, music videos, internet spots which has involved travelling to Africa and the US. I have most recently completed my directorial debut feature documentary “Red, White, Black & Blue” which follows the journey of two school rugby teams from South LA touring New Zealand and has won awards at numerous festivals around the world, including Best Documentary at the Idyllwild Cinema Fest.

 http://www.imdb.com/name/nm4090518/

Selected Filmography

2013
“Black & Blue in China” Feature Documentary (in post-production) – Co-Director / Editor
“He Toki Huna / New Zealand in Afghanistan” Documentary – Editor - (Dir. Annie Goldson & Kay Ellmers)
“Pretty Brutal” Feature Documentary – After Effects Artist – (Dir. Monica De Alwis)
“Soul in the Sea” Feature Documentary – Online Editor – (Dir. Amy Taylor)
“Know Your Mind” Online Series for Victoria University – Editor - (Dir. Alison Farmer & Simon Clark)

2012
“Red, White, Black & Blue” Feature Documentary – Director / Editor
“Red, White, Black & Blue” Documentary Trailer – Director / Editor
“I Want To Walk With My Moko” Documentary Short – Editor – (Dir. Alison Farmer & Simon Clark)
“Discover Health” Documentary Short – Editor – (Dir. Alison Farmer & Simon Clark)
“The Rise of Mt Eden” Documentary Trailer – Director / Editor

2011
“Brother Number One” Feature Documentary – Editor – (Dir. Annie Goldson)
“Brother Number One” Documentary Trailer – Editor
“Some Kind of Love” Feature Documentary – Co-Editor – (Dir. Thomas Burstyn)
“Maori Boy Genius” Feature Documentary – Co-Editor – (Dir. Pietra Brettkelly)

2010
“The Creative Adventures of James Brown” Online Series – Director / Editor
“South Auckland Poets’ Collective” Documentary Short – Editor – (Dir. Oliver Kraft)

2009
“Making a Difference at Work” Documentary Short – Editor – (Dir. Briar March)
“Fighting for Pay Equity” Documentary Short – Editor – (Dir. Briar March)

2008
“Msanii: Artists of Bagamoyo” Documentary Featurette – Director / Co-Editor

2007
“Art in The Freezer” Television Documentary – Editor

2003-2006
Various short docs and music videos. Works available on request.