James Burstall
Born
James Christopher St Etienne Burstall

(1965-05-20) 20 May 1965
OccupationFounder of Argonon
Years active2001–present
ParentChristopher Burstall
Websiteargonon.com

James Burstall is a British film and television producer[1][2] and Chief Executive Officer of the international group Argonon which he founded in 2011. Argonon has many companies within the group located in London, Los Angeles, New York City, Liverpool and Glasgow.

Burstall’s broadcast career credits span many genres and international territories. They range from reality series Mormon Love on Facebook Watch, TV shows Cash in the Attic and House Hunters International to feature-length drama An Englishman In New York. Argonon, through some acquisitions and joint ventures, produces entertainment shows such as The Masked Singer[3] (ITV), dramas such as Worzel Gummidge (BBC One) and documentaries such as Dispatches (Channel 4)[4] and Mysteries of the Abandoned (Discovery Science).

Education

Burstall studied modern languages at the University of Bristol,[5] studied leadership at the Said Business School, University of Oxford (2011) and Leading Changing at the Graduate School of Business, University of Stanford, California (2013).

Career

Before his television career, Burstall was a journalist, working as a writer and editor in Paris, London and New York for Vanity Fair, Condé Nast Traveler, and The Evening Standard.

Burstall was CEO of Leopard Films which he founded in 2001. Before Leopard Films, Burstall worked as an executive producer and producer-director for broadcasters worldwide. Notable projects include Secret History of Hacking (Channel 4/TLC), Cutting Edge (Channel 4) and ITV’s weekly investigative series The Big Story. He also was a founding producer for London’s Planet 24 (The Big Breakfast for Channel 4) and was an on-screen reporter and producer for the BBC.

He then created Leopard USA, a New-York based production company, in 2003,[6] then Leopard Drama and Leopard International, a distribution and rights business, in 2004.[7]

Burstall was a finalist in the 2009 IoD London and the South East Director of the Year Awards for 'Institute of Directors of the Year' (over £5,000,000 category).[8]

Burstall created Argonon in 2011, bringing Leopard Films, Leopard Drama and Leopard USA together, renaming Leopard International as Argonon International and acquiring Remedy Productions, specialists in entertainment, music and live events.[9]

In 2012, Burstall confirmed the launch of Remedy Canada, with significant investment from Argonon, followed by the acquisition of Transparent TV,[10] producers of lifestyle and documentary programming in the UK, in 2013. Subsequently, that same year, he launched Argonon’s first joint venture BriteSpark Films in 2013, bringing documentarian Nick Godwin into the group. He made further acquisitions, including the multi-award-winning Windfall Films.[11] He took his original production, Cash in the Attic, into the digital world in 2013 with the launch of CashInTheAttic.com, a joint venture providing an online portal for fans of antiques, collectables and vintage.[12][13]

In 2014, Burstall launched further joint ventures, Blacklisted Films, a new drama startup, and The Bridge, a conduit bridging English-speaking TV producers with their counterparts in Asia. The Bridge is co-producing projects in Korea.[14]

Burstall's Argonon group, which includes eight companies, saw a turnover of more than £55m in 2020.[15] Argonon is listed in the London Stock Exchange "1000 Companies To Inspire Britain 2016" report as well as the 2017 report.[16] Argonon is listed in the 2016 Sunday Times HSBC Track 200.[17] In 2019, Argonon won the National Winner Award (UK) at the European Awards.[18]

In 2017, Argonon acquired non-scripted producer Like A Shot Entertainment.[19] Burstall's group also invested in a joint venture: Bandicoot, in partnership with Derek McLean and Daniel Nettleton.

In late 2020, Argonon acquired branded video agency, Nemorin Film & Video.[20] In 2021, Argonon launched a factual formats-focused production company, Studio Leo, with Claire Collinson-Jones becoming the Chief Creative Officer of the firm.[21]

Argonon Group companies and productions

Argonon is made up of eight companies: Bandicoot Scotland (a joint venture with Bandicoot co-founders Derek McLean and Daniel Nettleton);[22][23] Leopard Pictures (Worzel Gummidge, BBC One); BriteSpark East/BriteSpark Films (known for Channel 4's Dispatches); Leopard USA (House Hunters International, HGTV); Windfall Films (Unearthed, Discovery); Like A Shot (Abandoned Engineering, UKTV's Yesterday); Studio Leo (Inside Tesco 24/7, Channel 5) and Nemorin Film & Video.[24]

Notable productions from the various companies under the Argonon Group include Bandicoot Scotland's The Masked Singer,[22][25][26][27] a singing competition featuring Jonathan Ross, Davina McCall, Mo Gilligan and Rita Ora as panellists.[28] The Masked Singer won a Royal Television Society Programme Award 2021 in the Entertainment category[29] and was nominated for an International Emmy Award 2021 in the Non-Scripted Entertainment category.[30] Other notable productions include Netflix's Hard Cell starring Catherine Tate and Channel 5's World’s Most Scenic River Journeys, a documentary narrated by Bill Nighy, which has been co-produced with Blue Ant Media in Canada.[31][32][33][34]

Argonon has won 120 awards and received over 180 nominations. These include Emmys, BAFTAs and RTS Awards.[35]

Productions

  • The Secret History of Hacking (Executive Producer)
  • French Express[36] (Producer Director – Diverse Productions)
  • The Big Story with Dermot Murnaghan (Producer Director – Twenty Twenty)
  • The Big Breakfast (Producer – Planet 24)
  • Reportage (On-screen Reporter and Producer – BBC DEF II)
  • Rough Guides to the World (Producer – BBC DEF II)

Executive Producer[37] – Leopard Films

Executive Producer[37] - Leopard USA

  • Mormon Love – Facebook Watch
  • House Hunters International – HGTV
  • Man Caves – DIY
  • Dear Genevieve – HGTV
  • Hidden Potential – HGTV
  • Missing Las Vegas – A&E
  • Disaster Guy – A&E
  • São Paulo: Hostage Capital of the World – A&E
  • Cash in the Attic (USA) – HGTV/Discovery

Executive Producer[37] - Leopard Drama

  • Mysterious Creatures – ITV1. Winner of the Best Single & Serial Drama at the Mental Health Awards/BAFTA 2007.
  • The Grey Man – BBC One
  • Missing – BBC One
  • Eve – CBBC. Winner RTS Scotland Best Children's Programme 2016 and RTS Best Sound 2016.
  • An Englishman in New York – ITV1. Winner Berlin International Films Festival/Teddy Award 2009. Nominated for 3 BAFTAs.
  • The Holding – Feature Film. Winner FANTASPORTO International Fantasy Film Awards 2012

References

  1. ↑ "James Burstall". BFI. Archived from the original on 2012-07-24. Retrieved 2015-10-28.
  2. ↑ "James Burstall @ARTISTdirect". ARTISTdirect. Archived from the original on 2016-12-30. Retrieved 2015-10-29.
  3. ↑ Tilley, Joanna. "Inside The Masked Singer | Behind The Scenes | Broadcast". Broadcastnow.co.uk. Archived from the original on 2022-02-20. Retrieved 2022-02-23.
  4. ↑ "Success Stories – Realscreen Summit". summit.realscreen.com. Archived from the original on 2022-01-05. Retrieved 2022-01-05.
  5. ↑ Bristol, University of. "Bristol University | Alumni and friends | 2011: James Burstall (BA 1987) launches new creative powerhouse". Bristol University. Archived from the original on 2016-02-05. Retrieved 2015-10-12.
  6. ↑ "Leopard Films USA hires Richard Cook". ATVtoday.co.uk. Archived from the original on 2017-05-10. Retrieved 2016-02-07.
  7. ↑ "Danny La Rue Tales Being Groomed for Big Screen". The Hollywood Reporter. 10 July 2012. Archived from the original on 2015-05-18. Retrieved 2016-02-07.
  8. ↑ "Finalists announced for the 2009 IoD London and the South East Director of the Year Awards" (PDF). Iod.com. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2016-03-04.
  9. ↑ "The new super groups: Argonon". Tbivision.com. Archived from the original on 2022-02-23. Retrieved 2015-08-20.
  10. ↑ "Argonon acquires Transparent Television". Realscreen.com. Archived from the original on 2016-04-24. Retrieved 2016-02-07.
  11. ↑ "Argonon acquires Windfall Films". Televisual.com. Archived from the original on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2015-10-28.
  12. ↑ "Global television show becomes interactive as Argonon launches CashInTheAttic.com". The Drum. Archived from the original on 2016-12-30. Retrieved 2016-02-07.
  13. ↑ "Lowde moves into Argonon's Attic". C21Media. Archived from the original on 2016-02-05. Retrieved 2016-02-07.
  14. ↑ "Homegrown drama Eve gets CBBC second season commission". Kidscreen.com. Archived from the original on 2016-09-20. Retrieved 2016-02-07.
  15. ↑ "ARGONON LTD filing history – Find and update company information – GOV.UK". find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk. Archived from the original on 2021-10-01. Retrieved 2021-10-01.
  16. ↑ "Argonon". London Stock Exchange Group. Archived from the original on 2017-07-02. Retrieved 2017-09-13.
  17. ↑ "UK Indies". ukindies.co.uk. Archived from the original on 2021-10-11. Retrieved 2021-10-11.
  18. ↑ "The European Business Awards". businessawardseurope.com. Archived from the original on 27 January 2020. Retrieved 27 January 2020.
  19. ↑ "Televisual | NEWS & COMMENTS". www.televisual.com. 18 January 2018. Archived from the original on 2019-01-24. Retrieved 2019-01-24.
  20. ↑ Ramachandran, Naman (2020-12-07). "Argonon Expands Into Branded Content With Acquisition of Video Agency Nemorin". Variety. Archived from the original on 2021-10-11. Retrieved 2021-10-11.
  21. ↑ "Argonon expands with Hat Trick's ex-head of factual for new indie Studio Leo". TBI Vision. 2021-02-15. Archived from the original on 2021-10-11. Retrieved 2021-10-11.
  22. 1 2 bandicoot. "News – Bandicoot". Bandicoot.tv. Archived from the original on 2022-02-15. Retrieved 2022-02-23.
  23. ↑ "People – Bandicoot". Bandicoot.tv. Archived from the original on 2022-02-15. Retrieved 2022-02-23.
  24. ↑ televisual.com (2021-07-09). "Argonon bolsters development, makes new hires". Televisual. Archived from the original on 2021-10-11. Retrieved 2021-10-11.
  25. ↑ "The Masked Singer recommissioned for further two series". Itv.com. 2022-02-14. Archived from the original on 2022-02-18. Retrieved 2022-02-23.
  26. ↑ Bennett, Harry (2022-02-14). "The Masked Singer will return for another two series | Royal Television Society". Rts.org.uk. Archived from the original on 2022-02-16. Retrieved 2022-02-23.
  27. ↑ Naman Ramachandran (2022-02-14). "'The Masked Singer U.K.' Commissioned for Two More Seasons at ITV". Variety. Archived from the original on 2022-02-14. Retrieved 2022-02-23.
  28. ↑ "ITV announces host and panel for new ITV show The Masked Singer". ITV Press Centre. 9 September 2019. Archived from the original on 18 October 2019. Retrieved 18 October 2019.
  29. ↑ "Winners of the RTS Programme Awards 2021 announced". Royal Television Society. 2021-03-16. Archived from the original on 2021-03-19. Retrieved 2021-10-11.
  30. ↑ ""Toxic Beauty," "Masked Singer UK" grab International Emmy noms". Archived from the original on 2021-10-11. Retrieved 2021-10-11.
  31. ↑ "Blue Ant Media orders first originals for BBC First, BBC Earth in Canada | News | C21Media". Archived from the original on 2022-02-15. Retrieved 2022-02-23.
  32. ↑ "My5". Archived from the original on 2022-02-15. Retrieved 2022-02-23.
  33. ↑ "My5". Archived from the original on 2022-02-15. Retrieved 2022-02-23.
  34. ↑ "World's Most Scenic River Journeys (TV Series)". Radio Times. Archived from the original on 2022-02-15. Retrieved 2022-02-23.
  35. ↑ "Like A Shot secures investment from UKTV to chart the trail-blazing US tank unit whose fight went beyond the battlefield in Black Panthers of WW2 | News | UKTV Corporate Site". corporate.uktv.co.uk. Archived from the original on 2021-10-11. Retrieved 2021-10-11.
  36. ↑ "French Express[07/06/98] (1998)". BFI. Archived from the original on 2019-02-04. Retrieved 2019-02-04.
  37. 1 2 3 "Production Beast". Archived from the original on 2016-03-05. Retrieved 2015-10-12.
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