CV
PIP BANYARD
SERIES PRODUCER/ DIRECTOR/ EDIT PRODUCER
Pip.banyard@gmail.com | 📞 07973 347 037 | 🌐 www.pipbanyard.com
📍 North West based with London base & flexible worldwide
PROFILE
I’m a multiple award-winning series producer, with the creative and narrative skills to sniff out the most powerful WILDLIFE/ HUMAN led stories.
With a background in factual entertainment documentaries, I bring strong and engaging narratives to more traditional animal/ wildlife shows. From the troubled sex life of the resident preying mantis at Chester Zoo, to the antics of Gorbachev the wild and blind bull elephant in Kenya.
WILDLIFE/ HUMAN INTEREST SHOWS
WILDLIFE RESCUE C4
Series Producer – 4 x 60'
Not the usual cute animals needing rescue! This was for a C4 prime-time slot and we made sure we delivered on impactful storytelling, both human and animal. Including just the right amount of natural history to make this informative as well as entertaining. Proud to say it was a critical and ratings hit.
“This show may actually leave you a better person”– The Guardian
Execs: Ed Coultard, Alex Sutherland | Comm Ed: Rita Daniels
SECRETS OF ELEPHANTS DISNEY+
Location Producer/Director – 60 x 4
This massive series had the Hollywood touch with James Cameron as Exec and Natalie Portman narrating. I was bought in halfway through to go out to Africa with the world’s leading Elephant expert and film more of the human element to this series. Directed master interviews and ADR on location. Was a privilege to be part of this high-profile series.
Emmy nominated
Prod Co: Oxford Scientific Films
SECRET SAFARI: INTO THE WILD C4
Series Producer – 6 x 60'
C4’s most ambitious step into wildlife film making to date!
This series bought compelling storytelling from the Savannahs of Kenya. From the conversancy’s oldest lioness to the runt of the hyena pack, their dramatic stories were told with the help of the passionate rangers, charged with their care. Myself and my team of 20 created 4 unfolding narratives, with 4 different species for each one hour show, over a 6 month period.
It was intense, its was brilliant and it won us praise from Ian Katz and a Grierson nomination!
Grierson best doc series Shortlisted
Execs: Sarah Spencer, Ed Coultard | Comm Ed: Alisa Pomeroy
THE SECRET LIFE OF THE ZOO C4
Series Producer – 32 x 60'
Based in Chester Zoo I help create over 100 unfolding and engaging stories of animals as diverse as the poison dart frog, to the giant anteater.
This was the channels biggest and boldest animal centric show. It won a large, dedicated fan base and contributed to the commercial successful of the zoo. The series ran for 4 years, and my first series won us a BAFTA nomination.
This series taught me- if its got a heartbeat- I can find its best story!
BAFTA Nominated, National Reality TV Award Winner
Execs: Tanya Winston, Alistair Pegg, Ed Coultard
ORANGUTAN JUNGLE SCHOOL C4
Series edit Producer – 60 x4
The original series was shot as a traditional Natural History series with no input from the people who cared for the orphans. It was made by production company NHNZ in New Zealand. I was sent to New Zealand by C4 to oversee extra filming to create a better narrative drive for the series. I was tasked with completely restructuring and honing it from 10 eps to 4 one hour eps for a C4/UK audience.
“This enchanting series is a reminder that young orangutans are as inquisitive, emotional and lovable as human children.” Broadcast Magazine
Exec/ comm ed: Rita Daniels, C4 and Kyle Murdoch for NHNZ
RECENT OTHER CREDITS- PRIMETIME OB DOCS/ FACT ENTS.
NEW MODEL AGENCY C4
Series Producer/Director – 3 x 60' Gen Z-focused ob-doc/reality series exploring diversity in fashion. Led development, casting, filming & edit. Ad funded by M&S.
Nominated: RTS & Broadcast Awards 2024
Exec: Amanda De Freitas | Comm Ed: Jayne Stanger
KELVIN FLETCHER’S NORTHERN ADVENTURE BBC1
Series Producer – 6 x 30' Family docu-series with Kelvin Fletcher adapting to a new life on a Peak District farm. Shot on his farm with family and friends and then ran multiple edits taking the show to delivery.
RTS Nominated – Best Doc Series
Exec: Ben Mitchell | Comm Ed: Jack Bootle
CLARY ON COWARD Sky Arts
Producer/Director Julian Clary’s first person narrative through the life of is hero, Noel Coward. Filmed in Jamaica and at Julian’s home. Including archive and celebrity interviews. Filmed and edited.
Nominated: Best Documentary – Digital Awards
CELEBRITY DRIVING SCHOOL BBC1
Series Producer Flagship series for Comic Relief – following 4 celebrities learning to drive. Ran multiple shoots and in rig camera units then took the series through to the edit.
Won: Best TV Moment of the Year
Exec: Richard Curtis.
SCRAPPERS (S1 & S2) BBC2
Series Producer/Director Surprising, comic, character led ob doc set in a Bolton scrapyard. Took two series from development through to delivery.
“a real-life Phoenix Nights” – the times.
RTS Winner – Best Factual Series
I’M A POP STAR BBC2
Director/Producer Charting the history of popular music. Archive & celebrity interviews.
ELIZABETH TAYLOR: A TRIBUTE BBC2
Senior Producer Fast-turnaround celebrity tribute packed with celebrity friends and fans
GRUMPY GUIDES TO… BBC2
Series Director/Producer Popular opinion- comedy doc series. Celebrity interviews/ Archive.
FRANK SINATRA’S COFFIN C4
Director/Producer Revealing the untold stories in Sinatra’s life -through the items placed in his coffin. Using interviews with his friends, archive footage and drama reconstruction.
RTS Winner – Best Factual Entertainment
LES DAWSON’S LOST DIARIES C4
Director/Producer Celebrity-led archive film.
RTS Shortlisted
BRITNEY: SPEARED BY THE PAPS Sky One
Director/Producer Ob doc / interviews and archive – unravelling the hungry paparazzi pack that followed Britney during her worst moments. Filmed in LA.
BECAUSE YOU’RE WORTH IT C4
Series Producer/Director Popular History mini series on the beauty industry. Using high profile celebrity interviews, previously unseen archive and drama reconstructions.
Gold Winner – New York Film Festival
IT’S GRIM UP NORTH BBC2
Series Producer/Director Cultural divide explored with wit. Comic interviews, archive and drama reconstruction.
