Geoff Posner
{{short description|British television producer and director (born 1949)}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Geoff Posner
| image =
| alt =
| caption =
| birth_name = Geoffrey Harold Posner
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1949|07|07|df=yes}}
| birth_place =
| nationality =
| occupation = Television producer, director
| title =
| years_active = 1981–present
| website =
}}
Geoffrey Harold Posner (born 7 July 1949) is a British television producer and director.{{cite web
| title = Search The Collection
| publisher =National Portrait Gallery
| url=http://www.npg.org.uk/live/search/portrait.asp?LinkID=mp68934&rNo=0&role=sit
| access-date =2007-12-18}}
Posner has directed and produced some of Britain's most successful comedy shows since the early 1980s.
Career
Starting off as a director on the satirical show Not the Nine O'Clock News, he also directed Revolting Women for BBC Manchester in 1981, a sketch show featuring amongst others Jeni Barnett and Linda Broughton, and in 1982 went on to direct the groundbreaking BBC2 anti-sitcom The Young Ones. Working also as an assistant producer on that show, he went on to produce in the same year the unaired pilot of the Rowan Atkinson historical sitcom Blackadder.{{cite web
| title = Geoff Posner
| publisher =IMDB
| url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0692714
| access-date =2007-10-11}}
One of his biggest successes came in 1985, when he produced and directed the multi-award-winning Victoria Wood As Seen On TV, a sketch show written by (and starring) the comedian.
{{cite book
| last = Brandwood
| first = Neil
| title= Victoria Wood – The Biography
| edition = 1st
| year = 2002
| publisher = Boxtree
| location = London
| isbn = 1-85227-982-6
}}
Posner has since produced and directed some of the most popular British television comedies of the 1990s and 2000s. They include Harry Enfield's Television Programme, French & Saunders, Paul Calf's Video Diaries, and dinnerladies. More recently he was one of the TV directors covering the Live 8 concert. He was also producer of the second and third series of Little Britain.{{cite web|title=Little Britain TV Series Two|publisher=davidwalliamsfans.com|url=http://www.davidwalliams.com/LittleBritainTvHome2.htm|access-date=2007-12-18|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070409163528/http://www.davidwalliams.com/LittleBritainTvHome2.htm|archive-date=2007-04-09}}
His shows have won six BAFTA awards and been nominated for another seven.{{cite web
| title = Geoff Posner - Awards
| publisher =IMDB
| url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0692714/awards
| access-date =2007-10-11}}
Posner formed Pozzitive Television with fellow TV producer David Tyler in 1992.{{Cite web|url=http://pozzitive.co.uk/home-page|title=Pozzitive: Welcome to Pozzitive|first=Pozzitive|last=Comedy|website=pozzitive.co.uk}}
Posner also directed the 1998 Eurovision Song Contest in Birmingham and the Queen's Diamond Jubilee Concert in 2012.
He was awarded an honorary doctorate from the University of Essex in 2016.{{cite web|title=Graduation 2016 at the University of Essex|url=http://www.essex.ac.uk/news/event.aspx?e_id=10640|website=University of Essex|access-date=14 July 2016}}
Television productions
- Revolting Women, director, episode one, 1981
- Top of the Pops, director, five episodes, 1980-1981 {{Cite web|url=https://www.bfi.org.uk/films-tv-people/4ce2b847acc1d|title=Top of the Pops[29/01/81] (1981)|website=BFI}}{{dead link|date=October 2023|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}
- Not the Nine O'Clock News, director, series 4, 1982{{Cite web|url=http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0662519/|title=Shame|via=www.imdb.com}}
- Blackadder, director, pilot, 1982{{Cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/tv/2016/04/23/i-felt-spoiled-to-be-there-geoff-posner-remembers-victoria-wood/|title='I felt spoiled to be there.' Geoff Posner remembers Victoria Wood|first=Geoff|last=Posner|newspaper=The Telegraph |date=April 23, 2016|via=www.telegraph.co.uk}}
- Blankety Blank, director, one episode, 1982{{Cite web|url=http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1990483/|title=Episode #5.1|via=www.imdb.com}}
- The Young Ones, director, 1982{{Cite web|url=http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/the-accidental-humorist-1582307.html|title=The accidental humorist|date=November 17, 1995|website=The Independent}}
- Carrott's Lib, director, 1982 - 1983{{Cite web|url=http://www.imdb.com/title/tt8675386/|title=The Best of Carrott's Lib|via=www.imdb.com}}
- The Lenny Henry Show, director, 1984-1988{{Cite web|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/comedy/thelennyhenryshow/|title=The Lenny Henry Show|website=www.bbc.co.uk}}
- Madness The Pilot, director, TV short, 1984{{Cite web|url=http://www.imdb.com/title/tt6925226/|title=Madness the Pilot|via=www.imdb.com}}
- Lenny Henry Tonite, director, 1986{{Cite web|url=https://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/a6d4907d6c2f46439afd26398065e5f5|title=Lenny Henry Tonite|date=September 25, 1986|issue=3278|pages=76|via=BBC Genome}}
- French and Saunders, director, 1987-1988{{Cite web|url=http://www.screenonline.org.uk/tv/id/500435/index.html|title=BFI Screenonline: French and Saunders (1987-)|website=www.screenonline.org.uk}}
- The Robbie Coltrane Special, director, 1989{{Cite web|url=http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0443621/|title=The Robbie Coltrane Special|via=www.imdb.com}}
- Victoria Wood: As Seen on TV, director/producer, 1989{{Cite web|url=https://televisionheaven.co.uk/reviews/victoria-wood-as-seen-on-tv|title=Victoria Wood As Seen on TV|first=Steve|last=Ashfield (June 2018)|website=Television Heaven}}
- John Sessions' Tall Tales, director, 1991{{Cite web|url=https://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/d756811d2feb42c29d6e3d24d9a10b70|title=John Sessions's Tall Tales|date=September 15, 1991|issue=3534|pages=52|via=BBC Genome}}
- Josie, director, 1991{{Cite web|url=https://www.bfi.org.uk/films-tv-people/4ce2b81be3fe7|title=Josie[08/05/91] (1991)|website=BFI}}{{dead link|date=October 2023|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}
- Paul Merton: The Series, director, 1991{{Cite web|url=http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0993414/|title=Episode #1.1|via=www.imdb.com}}
- Harry Enfield's Television Programme, director, 1992{{Cite web|url=https://www.bfi.org.uk/films-tv-people/4ce2b7bbd24ba|title=Harry Enfield's Television Programme (1992)|website=BFI}}{{dead link|date=October 2023|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}
- Victoria Wood's All Day Breakfast, director, 1992{{Cite web|url=http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0284621/|title=Victoria Wood's All Day Breakfast|via=www.imdb.com}}
- It's A Mad World, World, World, World, director, 1994{{Cite web|url=http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0399205/|title=It's a Mad World, World, World, World|via=www.imdb.com}}
- Paul Calf's Video Diary, director / producer, 1994{{Cite web|url=http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0107794/fullcredits|title=Paul Calf's Video Diary (TV Short 1993) - IMDb|via=www.imdb.com}}
- Victoria Wood: Live In Your Own Home, director/ producer, 1994{{Cite web|url=https://www.bfi.org.uk/films-tv-people/4ce2b7df89fe4|title=Victoria Wood: Live in Your Own Home (1994)|website=BFI}}{{dead link|date=October 2023|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}
- A Christmas Night With the Stars, director, 1994{{Cite web|url=http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0540865/|title=Episode dated 27 December 1994|via=www.imdb.com}}
- Pauline Calf's Wedding Video, director/ producer, 1994{{Cite web|url=https://www.bfi.org.uk/films-tv-people/4ce2b7df9c7f1|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190321202542/http://www.bfi.org.uk/films-tv-people/4ce2b7df9c7f1|url-status=dead|archive-date=March 21, 2019|title=Three Fights, Two Weddings and a Funeral Pauline Calf's Wedding Video (1994)|website=BFI}}
- Coogan's Run, director/ producer, 1995{{Cite web|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/comedy/coogansrun/|title=Coogan's Run|website=www.bbc.co.uk}}
- The Tony Ferrino Phenomenon, director/ producer, 1997{{Cite web|url=https://www.comedy.co.uk/tv/the_tony_ferrino_phenomenon/|title=The Tony Ferrino Phenomenon - BBC2 Comedy|first=British Comedy|last=Guide|website=British Comedy Guide}}
- Harry Enfield and Chums, director/ producer, 1997{{Cite web|url=https://bbfc.co.uk/releases/new-harry-enfield-chums-video|title=THE NEW HARRY ENFIELD & CHUMS | British Board of Film Classification|website=bbfc.co.uk}}
- Victoria Wood: Live, director/ producer, 1997{{Cite web|url=http://www.imdb.com/title/tt3740326/|title=Victoria Wood: Live|via=www.imdb.com}}
- Eurovision Song Contest 1998, director, 1998{{Cite web|url=http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0313385/|title=The Eurovision Song Contest|via=www.imdb.com}}
- Stephen Fry's Live From The Lighthouse, director/ producer, 1998{{Cite web|url=http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0179944/|title=Live from the Lighthouse|via=www.imdb.com}}
- Steve Coogan: The Man Who Thinks He's It, director/ producer, 1998{{Cite web|url=http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0192631/|title=Steve Coogan: The Man Who Thinks He's It|via=www.imdb.com}}
- dinnerladies, director/ producer, 1998-2000{{Cite web|url=https://www.comedy.co.uk/people/geoff_posner/|title=Geoff Posner|first=British Comedy|last=Guide|website=British Comedy Guide}}
- tlc, director/ producer, 2002{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2002/apr/08/broadcasting.bbc|title=TLC to inject humour into the NHS|first=Jason|last=Deans|newspaper=The Guardian |date=April 8, 2002|via=www.theguardian.com}}
- The Prince's Trust 30th Birthday: Live, director/ producer, 2006{{Cite web|url=http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0811027/|title=The Prince's Trust 30th Birthday: Live|via=www.imdb.com}}
- Little Britain series 2 and 3, director/ producer, 2004-2006{{Cite web|url=http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0358856/fullcredits|title=Little Britain (TV Series 2003–2006) - IMDb|via=www.imdb.com}}
- Music Hall Meltdown, director/ producer, 2007{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b007gm0j|title=BBC Four - Music Hall Meltdown|website=BBC}}
- Giles Wemmbley-Hogg Goes Off... to Glastonbury, director/producer, 2007{{Cite web|url=http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1181815/|title=Giles Wemmbley Hogg Goes Off.... to Glastonbury|via=www.imdb.com}}
- Marcus Brigstocke: Planet Corduroy, director/producer, 2007{{Cite web|url=http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1230462/|title=Marcus Brigstocke: Planet Corduroy|via=www.imdb.com}}
- Saturday Live Again, director/ producer, 2007{{Cite web|url=http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1556032/|title=Saturday Live Again!|via=www.imdb.com}}
- Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps, 'The Aftermath', director, 2009{{Cite web|url=http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1578240/|title=The Aftermath: Part 2 - Sliding Gaz|via=www.imdb.com}}
- Big Top, director/ producer, 2009{{Cite web|url=https://www.comedy.co.uk/tv/big_top/|title=Big Top - BBC1 Sitcom|first=British Comedy|last=Guide|website=British Comedy Guide}}
- The Angina Monologues, director/ producer, 2010{{Cite web|url=http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2157015/|title=The Angina Monologues|via=www.imdb.com}}
- The One Ronnie, director/ producer, 2010{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00wyj62|title=BBC One - The Ones, Series 1, The One Ronnie|website=BBC}}
- Come Fly With Me, producer, 2010-2011{{Cite web|url=http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1749004/fullcredits|title=Come Fly with Me (TV Series 2010–2011) - IMDb|via=www.imdb.com}}
- The One Griff Rhys Jones, director/ producer, 2012{{Cite web|url=http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2160628/|title=The One Griff Rhys Jones|via=www.imdb.com}}
- Catherine Tate's Nan, director/ producer, 2014-2015{{Cite web|url=http://www.imdb.com/title/tt5298406/|title=Catherine Tate's Nan|via=www.imdb.com}}
- Victoria Wood: From Soup to Nuts, executive producer, 2018{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b0b2mrc5|title=BBC Radio 4 - Victoria Wood - From Soup to Nuts, From Soup...|website=BBC}}
Other work
Posner also produced and directed a number of live events, including the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games, the Royal Wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton, and the Jubilee Gala 2013.
Notable awards and nominations
- Carrott's Lib, BAFTA, Best Light Entertainment Programme - winner, 1984{{Cite web|url=http://awards.bafta.org/award/1984/television/light-entertainment-programme|title=BAFTA Awards|website=awards.bafta.org}}
- Victoria Wood: As Seen on TV, BAFTA, Best Light Entertainment Programme - winner, 1986{{Cite web|url=http://awards.bafta.org/award/1986/television/light-entertainment-programme|title=BAFTA Awards|website=awards.bafta.org}}
- Victoria Wood: As Seen on TV, BAFTA, Best Light Entertainment Programme - winner, 1987{{Cite web|url=http://awards.bafta.org/award/1987/television/light-entertainment-programme|title=1987 Television Light Entertainment Programme | BAFTA Awards|website=awards.bafta.org}} a
- Victoria Wood on TV, BAFTA, Best Light Entertainment Programme - winner, 1988{{Cite web|url=http://awards.bafta.org/award/1988/television/light-entertainment-programme|title=1988 Television Light Entertainment Programme | BAFTA Awards|website=awards.bafta.org}}
- French and Saunders, BAFTA, Best Light Entertainment Programme - nominated, 1989{{Cite web|url=http://awards.bafta.org/award/1989/television/light-entertainment-programme|title=1989 Television Light Entertainment Programme | BAFTA Awards|website=awards.bafta.org}}
- The Lenny Henry Show, BAFTA, Best Light Entertainment Programme - nominated, 1989
- Harry Enfield's Television Programme, BAFTA, Best Light Entertainment Programme - nominated, 1993{{Cite web|url=http://awards.bafta.org/award/1993/television/light-entertainment-programme-or-series|title=BAFTA Awards|website=awards.bafta.org}}
- Pauline Calf's Wedding Video (as Three Fights, Two Weddings, and a Funeral), BAFTA, Best Television Comedy - winner, 1995{{Cite web|url=http://awards.bafta.org/award/1995/television/comedy-programme-or-series|title=BAFTA Awards|website=awards.bafta.org}}
- dinnerladies, BAFTA, Television Comedy - nominated, 1999{{Cite web|url=http://awards.bafta.org/award/1999/television/comedy-programme-or-series|title=BAFTA Awards|website=awards.bafta.org}}
- Eurovision Song Contest, Best Live Outside Broadcast Coverage - nominated, 1999{{Cite web|url=http://awards.bafta.org/award/1999/television/live-outside-broadcast-coverage|title=BAFTA Awards|website=awards.bafta.org}}
- dinnerladies, BAFTA, Situation Comedy - nominated, 2000{{Cite web|url=http://awards.bafta.org/award/2000/television/situation-comedy|title=BAFTA Awards|website=awards.bafta.org}}
References
{{Reflist|2}}
External links
- [http://catalogue.bbc.co.uk/catalogue/infax/contributor/6269 Geoff Posner at the BBC Programme Catalogue]{{Dead link|date=February 2022 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}
- {{IMDb name|id=0692714|name=Geoff Posner}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Posner, Geoff}}