The man behind Sparkly Light is Ian Russell, the award-winning Executive Producer and Director. Ian has been responsible for some of the most memorable television outside broadcasts of the last two decades.
With Sparkly Light Ian is now bringing his extraordinary production experience to a wider range of projects, as well as developing his international network television portfolio. Ian has directed drama and opera coverage destined for world-wide cinema release or Blu-ray/DVD distribution and he has also worked on small-platform visualisations intended for internet channels and interactive TV.
Whether covering drama from Shakespeare's Globe, stand up comedy from the Hammersmith Apollo or live music from the V Festival,
Ian adapts his creativity and clear thinking for each project. It is perhaps because of this diversity that his advice is now sought by world-renowned organisations and Ian enjoys contributing to their projects in the role of Consultant Producer.
When producing, he particularly relishes the challenge provided by ‘one-off’ special events. On these unique occasions it is his wealth of relevant experience that perhaps counts most. Having worked on many ground-breaking programmes, from the first series of Animal Hospital for BBC One to unique live events watched by the world such as Royal Weddings and Funerals or the Opening or Closing ceremonies of global sporting competitions, Ian fully understands the challenges and pressures of getting it right first time but is always keen to encourage innovation. His enviable reputation for detailed planning and his calmness under pressure enable him to deliver talked about, memorable content.
Ian was a key member of the BBC's Events department contributing to many of the biggest and most complex television broadcasts undertaken by the Corporation both in the UK and abroad. He has a wide range of experience gained on a variety of live and recorded programmes from State Ceremonial to Light Entertainment.
He has worked at many levels from Executive Producer to Director and whilst with the BBC he also worked in Classical Music TV, Drama Entertainment & Children's, Factual, Sports, Music Entertainmnt, News & Current Affairs, Radio Live Events and with the European Broadcasting Union.
Ian has worked with many of the UK's most accomplished presenters including: Clive Anderson, Sue Barker, Clare Balding, Jeremy Clarkson, Fearne Cotton, Barry Davies, David Dimbleby, Huw Edwards, Stephen Fry, Richard Hammond, Rolf Harris, Jake Humphrey, John Inverdale, Hazel Irvine, Sir Patrick Moore, Graham Norton, Sir Michael Parkinson, Sophie Raworth, Steve Rider, Gabby Roslin, Jonathan Ross, Dan Snow and Sir Terry Wogan.
As a gallery director, Ian specialises in planning and broadcasting large-scale, multi-source live events and directing music whether it be Contemporary or Classical. Among the artists he has worked with are: Gary Barlow, Nicola Benedetti, Andrea Bocelli, José Carreras, The Corrs, Angela Georgiou, Keane, Nigel Kennedy, Barry Manilow, Brian May, Kylie Minogue, Paolo Nutini, Ocean Colour Scene, Lionel Richie, Simply Red, Heather Small, The Spaghetti Western Orchestra, Curtis Stigers, Dame Kiri Te Kanawa, Westlife and Will Young.
Whatever the project, however small or large, it is sure to benefit from Ian's broad experience and creative approach.
e-mail: ian@sparklylight.com