Jonathan Priest, Creative Writer


	Jonathan Priest Creative Writer

	I have been working in business television for over 25 years, and still going strong. I take a very thorough and professional approach to my work and try to give my clients (mainly film production companies) a very comprehensive service, always thinking about the needs of the ultimate client for any project. The majority seem to want to come back for more! I studied zoology and taught natural sciences for a few years during which time I became very interested in the idea of making educational films. I took a part-time course in animation at the Central School of Art and Design and eventually wangled a job with a production company that made animated medical films. I helped with research and story boards but quickly found my niche as a scriptwriter. Then after a year I got was made redundant. After trawling round production companies I was eventually commissioned to write a script about diabetes which by great good fortune won a gold award. After that, things picked up and following a stint as a staff writer at the COI, I got a job with another medical production company. After six years and over 150 medical videos I had acquired the basics of film production and turned freelance. My focus today is on corporate communication and training though medicine remains an important speciality. I enjoy writing both dramas and documentaries and have a stake in 44 international awards. While I wouldn't class myself as a director, I often get involved in the whole production process from setting up the shoot, directing off-camera interviews and overseeing postproduction. This is particularly relevant to medical or other technical subjects where knowledge gained writing the script allows me to elicit the relevant answers. However, anything that requires cranes, tracks or actors I leave strictly to the professionals! I work from home near Wandsworth Common in South London. My wife Amanda and I have three sons; Nicholas (23) who graduated in biology and twins (20) Laurie (studying animation) and Hamish (studying philosophy).


	Rural delights south of the River Thames

	VIVE LA FRANCE

	I learned French as a child and it has been a constant passion ever since. A year after I graduated I got a teaching job at the French Lycée in London, which also offers GCSE and A Level courses. This was like a dream come true, teaching science and speaking French all day outside class. Today, I read novels and classical French literature and keep up with current affairs via the radio, TV and the web. My French also comes in handy for production work; helping to set up shoots, conducting off-camera interviews, translating and writing sub-titles etc.



	My other great interests include Cooking, 20C Classical Music, painting, Horse Riding and science. I hate bullshit, bananas and Christmas.



	From Elgar to Copland - among the giants of C20 classical music - click image for more


		London By Underground A few years ago I published a guide called London by Underground, which listed over 5000 venues by their nearest Tube station. It's now out of print, but it was fun to do. As a Londoner born and bred, I am passionate about the benefits of living and bringing up children in the Capital. The idea of living in the 'country' has no appeal whatsoever and I delight in stories about expat townies complaining of the social, geographic, cultural and gastronomic isolation that comes with the country pile. I also feel great sympathy for the genuine country folk who see property prices inflated by townie interlopers who contribute little to their local communities but take much away.


	Horse Sense I am not a horsy person but I love riding. I came to it very late but it's one of the few things I do that makes complete sense. As Ronald Reagan once said, "The best thing for the inside of a man is the outside of a horse". To read an account of my own joy of riding, click here.