James Bryce

www.jamesbrycedirector.com

James Bryce is a freelance Director based in London. He is a strong visual storyteller and has extensive experience with action and car work; but above all he loves working with writers and actors to bring a story to life with clarity, imagination and emotional power.

James has recently directed a block of the BBC’s flagship drama Holby City and is slated to start on Casualty in May.

James was also the Second Unit Director responsible for the car chase and shoot-out at the end of The Sweeney feature film, starring Ray Winstone.

 “The car chase is epic…the dramatic finale through a caravan park is one of the best I’ve seen.”

 Gordon Smart, The Sun

In the commercials world, James joined Ridley Scott Associates 12 years ago and has worked with clients such as Audi, Ford, Nissan, The Gates Foundation, COI, ITV Creative, Castrol, Mobil1, Mini, Chevrolet and Jaguar.

James has also written and directed high-end drama-documentaries, where he has elicited powerful performances from actors and staged big action sequences, such as gun battles in the Philippine jungle (Kidnapped Abroad – Fatal Mission), car chases and shoot-outs in the Bronx (The Fugitive Chronicles) or intense firefights in Iraq and Afghanistan (No Man Left Behind).

“utterly engrossing…the reconstructions achieved unusually high levels of tension, atmosphere and emotional involvement…incredibly effective television.” 

 Gerard O’Donovan, The Daily Telegraph

“the recreations felt convincing and essential, adding a palpable sense of stress.”

 James Jackson, The Times

James first started making films at college; after a degree in English Literature at Oxford University, James went on to complete the Postgraduate Diploma in Film & TV at Bristol University. He then quickly became a freelance music video and commercials editor.

James’s directing break came from the BBC, who employed him on a variety of shows leading up to Top Gear. This despite the fact James knew very little about cars and couldn’t technically drive.

James intermittently worked on Top Gear from Series 2 and is credited on over 70 episodes of the show. As such he has been instrumental in creating the style and success of a TV programme that held the Guinness World Record for the most watched show in the world.

James also has the dubious honour of being the director of the very first and last (Clarkson era) Top Gear Christmas Specials, both of which involved angry locals throwing rocks at him.