Profile: Garry Paton

Garry is a professional editor and director who has worked on loads of BBC programmes.

How did you get started in film production?

I moved to Manchester to study at the University of Salford where I spent a lot of my time making films both for the course and to develop my skills. I wanted to be able to put my own films together so I taught myself how to edit and just started shooting and cutting anything that was going. I got a job as a runner at the BBC during the summer holidays after my first year of uni and by my third year, I was working across lots of different BBC One and BBC Three shows which gave me a huge amount of insight into television production. During this time, I was able to shoot sequences and get hands on experience of the industry that I still use today.

Can you list some of your production credits?

Under the Tracks (Short) - Director
Free Speech (BBC Three) - Editor
For the Love of Libya (Current TV) - Editor
The One Show (BBC One) - Editor
The Cull (Short) - Producer
Rip Off Britain (BBC One) - Editor
Beyond the River (Short) - Director
Morocco (Short) - Director / Producer
Alesha's Street Dance Stars (CBBC) - Editor
Fixers (ITV) - Editor
Whoops I Missed the Bus (CBBC) - Editor

What do you love about making documentaries?

The edit is where it all happens for me - it's fantastic bringing everything together and shaping the story

I love telling stories and I really like getting to know about people. As a filmmaker, I'm in a unique position where not only am I allowed in to people's lives, but I'm responsible for telling their story, bringing their character out and giving the audience a crafted and engaging slice of their life. Getting to know contributors is often a really rewarding experience because you're gaining their trust and getting to know them so that you can present them as a character in your film.

I like working with hard-to-reach groups too because their stories are often the most difficult to tell and they sometimes find it challenging to talk in front of the camera.

The edit is where it all happens for me though - it's fantastic bringing everything together and shaping the story both editorially and creatively to deliver a well-polished film.