Quick Facts
Biography
James Barnes (born 25 November 1979) is a television director from Portsmouth, England.
Early life
He studied Sport & Exercise Science at the University of Brighton, and Broadcast Journalism at Highbury College, Portsmouth after winning a place on the BBC News Sponsorship Scheme.
Career
He worked for 6 years as a professional tennis coach in Brighton, Portsmouth and Greece. Then, whilst on the BBC News course he worked for them on BBC Radio 4’s ‘The Today Programme’ and BBC News 24’s Sport department.
After 6 months as a Video Journalist at the Press Association, Barnes became a researcher with MTV News. Since then he has become a documentary director for the network.
In 2009 he came up with the concept for MTV Staying Alive’s annual documentary featuring Travis McCoy of the Gym Class Heroes. McCoy travels to South Africa, Philippines and India to visit Staying Alive Foundation grantees, seeing the work they do in the fight against HIV & AIDS. The documentary will be premiered on MTV and MTV HD on World AIDS day 2009. The charity track that McCoy is making as a result of the trip will be released at the MTV Europe Music Awards in Berlin in November 2009.
He shares a flat with MTV News and KISS FM presenter Rickie Haywood Williams.
Filmography
Assistant Producer
Pick Me MTV
Producer Director
Rihanna Making The Video – Shut Up And Drive
Backstage at the EMA’s 2007 with Joss Stone
Craig David Making The Video – ‘Let’s Dance’
Backstage at the EMA’s 2008 with Sugababes
Lil’ Wayne’s World
I Hate 2008
Harry Potter ‘Half Blood Prince’ VT for MTV Movie Awards 2009
Director
Staying Alive: Travis McCoy’s Unbeaten Track
Series Director
Pete Doherty In 24 Hours
Daisy Lowe In 24 Hours