Steve Barron

Barron was born in Dublin on 4 May 1956,{{cite web|url=https://www.discogs.com/artist/505045-Steve-Barron |title=Steve Barron Discography at Discogs |publisher=Discogs |access-date=14 October 2017}} the son of filmmaker Zelda Barron (née Solomons, 1929–2006) and actor Ron Barron. His mother was born in Manchester to an English mother and Russian father. His parents married in 1953 but the marriage was later dissolved. He has an older sister named Siobhan.{{cite news|author=Simon Relph|url=https://www.theguardian.com/news/2006/sep/12/guardianobituaries.film|title=Obituary: Zelda Barron|work=The Guardian|date=12 September 2006|access-date=20 September 2012|location=London}} He was raised in London and attended St Marylebone Grammar School.

File:Steve Barron and Eddie Izzard.jpg]]

Barron made his music video directorial debut in 1979 with "Time for Action" by Secret Affair and their following hit singles "My World" and "Sound of Confusion" and directed, and occasionally wrote additional treatment for,{{cite web|url=http://www.mvdbase.com/index.php |title=mvdbase.com – index = Steve Barron Profile |access-date=14 October 2017}} various music videos. These videos, which include "Billie Jean" by Michael Jackson,"Burning Up" by Madonna,"Money for Nothing" by Dire Straits, and "Take On Me" by A-ha, would come to define the medium during the early days of MTV and are still considered among the best of all time.{{cite web|url=https://www.imro.ie/industry-news/interview-iconic-international-music-video-director-steve-barron-michael-jackson-madonna-david-bowie-imro-ticket-offer/|title=Interview with Iconic International Music Video Director Steve Barron (Michael Jackson, Madonna, & David Bowie) IMRO Ticket Offer |date=16 November 2017 |access-date=2 March 2019}} He founded the production company Limelight with his sister Siobhan and Adam Whitaker.{{Cite web| title = CAMPAIGN CRAFT: THE CREATIVE ISSUE – Why Limelight went from UK commercials boom to bust. The kitchen-table start-up couldn't rekindle its glory days. Emma Hall reports| access-date = 2018-08-25| url = https://www.campaignlive.co.uk/article/campaign-craft-creative-issue-why-limelight-went-uk-commercials-boom-bust-kitchen-table-start-up-couldnt-rekindle-its-glory-days-emma-hall-reports/16663}}{{cite web|url=https://www.thejournal.ie/aha-the-movie-interview-steve-barron-movie-director-5697872-Mar2022/|title=They were on their last legs: Behind the story of how Take On Me catapulted A-Ha to success|date=3 March 2022|work=Journal|accessdate=3 March 2022}}

In 1984, he directed the science fiction comedy Electric Dreams, and then went on to direct several episodes of the television series The Storyteller before returning to film, directing the films Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles in 1990, The Adventures of Pinocchio in 1996, Rat in 2000 and Mike Bassett: England Manager in 2001. Barron directed several award-winning miniseries, such as Merlin (1998), Arabian Nights (2000) and Dreamkeeper (2003) for Hallmark Entertainment. In July 2010, it was revealed that Barron would make a return to music videos, directing "Butterfly, Butterfly", the then-final video of A-ha.

In late 2011, Barron's two-part production of Treasure Island was shown on British television channel Sky One.Rose, Steve, [https://www.theguardian.com/film/2011/dec/22/ejijah-wood-the-hobbit "Elijah Wood: I was thrilled to play Frodo Baggins in The Hobbit"], The Guardian, 22 December 2011, retrieved 25 December 2011.

In November 2014, Barron published his autobiography, Egg n Chips & Billie Jean: A Trip Through the Eighties.Hawksley, [https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/music/rockandpopfeatures/11255887/Michael-Jackson-I-was-more-excited-about-The-Human-League.html "'Michael Jackson? I was more excited about The Human League!'"], Telegraph.co.uk, 27 November 2014, retrieved 28 November 2014.

Cameraman

• Trauma (1976)
• The Duellists (1977)
• A Bridge Too Far (1977)
• Superman (1978) (Uncredited)

Executive producer

• The Specialist (1994)
• While You Were Sleeping (1995)
• Peace One Day (2004) (Documentary)

• A-ha – "Take On Me" (1985), "The Sun Always Shines on T.V." (1985), "Hunting High and Low" (1986), "Cry Wolf" (1986), "Manhattan Skyline" (1987), "The Living Daylights" (1987), "Crying in the Rain" (1990), "Butterfly, Butterfly" (2010)
• Adam and the Ants – "Antmusic" (1980)
• Bryan Adams – "Cuts Like a Knife" (1983), "This Time" (1983), "Run to You" (1984), "Heaven" (1985), "Summer of '69" (1985)
• Culture Club – "God Thank You Woman" (1986)
• David Bowie – "As the World Falls Down" (1986) "Underground" (1986)
• Def Leppard – "Let's Get Rocked" (1992)
• Dire Straits – "Money for Nothing" (1985), "Calling Elvis" (1990), "Heavy Fuel" (1991)
• Dolly Parton – "Potential New Boyfriend" (1983)
• Eddy Grant – "Electric Avenue" (1982), "I Don't Wanna Dance" (1982), "Living on the Front Line" (1983)
• Fleetwood Mac – "Hold Me" (1982)
• Fun Boy Three – "It Ain't What You Do...." (1982)
• Heaven 17 – "Penthouse and Pavement" (1981), "Let Me Go" (1982), "Temptation" (1983)
• The Human League – "Don't You Want Me" (1981), "Love Action" (1981), "(Keep Feeling) Fascination" (1983)
• The Jam – "Strangetown" (1978), "When You're Young" (1979), "Going Underground" (1979), "Dreams of Children" (1979)
• Joe Jackson – "Steppin' Out" (1982), "Real Men" (1982), "Breaking Us in Two" (1982)
• Level 42 – "Heaven in My Hands" (1988)
• Madonna – "Burning Up" (1983)
• Michael Jackson – "Billie Jean" (1983)
• Natalie Cole & Nat King Cole – "Unforgettable" (1991)
• Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark – "Maid of Orleans" (1982)
• Paul McCartney – "Pretty Little Head" (1986)
• Rod Stewart – "Baby Jane" (1983)
• Secret Affair – "Time for Action" (1979), "My World" (1980), "Sound of Confusion" (1980)
• Sheena Easton – "For Your Eyes Only" (1981), "Telephone" (1983)
• Simple Minds – "Promised You a Miracle" (1982)
• Skids – "Iona" (1981)
• Styx – "Haven't We Been Here Before" (1983)
• Supertramp – "Cannonball" (1985), "Better Days" (1986)
• Tears for Fears – "Pale Shelter" (1983)
• Toto – "Africa" (1982), "Rosanna" (1982), "Stranger in Town" (1984)
• ZZ Top – "Rough Boy" (1986), "Sleeping Bag" (1986)

{{Reflist}}

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{{Steve Barron}}

{{MTV Video Music Award for Best Direction}}

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Category:1956 births

Category:Irish comedy film directors

Category:British comedy film directors

Category:English film producers

Category:English music video directors

Category:English people of Russian descent

Category:Film directors from London

Category:Irish film producers

Category:Irish music video directors

Category:Irish people of Russian descent

Category:People educated at St Marylebone Grammar School

Category:Living people