Award-winning documentary films

I’m a staff video producer at The New York Times, writing and directing beautiful videos with strong opinions. In 2018 we released Operation Infektion which received two Emmy nominations and won an ONA Award. The challenge with these videos is in taking sophisticated arguments — meeting the high standards of the Times — and using the film form to shape them into visual stories the audience can both see and feel.

Boris Johnson Is A Liar

This angry and sweary collaboration with comedian Tom Walker surprised and delighted New York Times readers around the world.

Dread

Three americans reveal how “normal” was not working out for them and why they’re dreading a return to post-pandemic life.

The Fauci Awards!

In the midst of a pandemic we should be giving our health workers awards. Instead, they’re getting death threats.

Jaron Lanier Fixes The Internet

Fed up of having your data stolen by big tech? Silicon Valley’s maverick futurist has a plan to fix the internet.

America's Unfair Felony Murder Law

The story of Adnan Khan, who served 16 years at San Quentin prison for a murder the judge, jury and prosecution all agreed he did not commit.

Operation Infektion

This Emmy-nominated documentary traces the history of fake news back to the KGB in rip-roaring style.

Video essays which have inspired thousands

I have written and directed a dozen original video essays which tell vivid stories about history, creativity and science. My series The Long Game — a radical reexamination of great artists, from Leonardo DaVinci to Vincent Van Gogh — has inspired thousands of people to make art, no matter their age. I still receive emails from strangers telling me the videos shone a light for them in dark times. Making these films trained me in telling compelling stories with complex ideas.

The Peter Principle

We live in times of seemingly unending progress - and yet somehow things still always go wrong. Here’s why!

The Unluckiest Man In History

From the ruins of Hiroshima, an incredible story about history itself and who it chooses to remember.

Bananas, Sardines and Sharks

This remarkable true story of a Cold War coup warns us that no matter how cheap and stuff is, there is always a price to pay.

Cause And Effect: The Great War

I made this as an experiment in telling an old story in a new way. It offers a new spin on the causes of The Great War.

He Turned Paper Into Pixels

Everything in our information age - from email, to Facebook, to YouTube, is all based on the most simple of ideas.

The Long Game

How do you make art without an audience? How long does it take to achieve greatness? This series answers those questions and more.

Genre-busting science fiction

In 2017 I wrote and directed a five-part series about life on earth — imagined from the perspective of a superior alien species. In Parallax — a video essay smashed with science fiction — the earth is upside-down and the planet is ruled by sentient skyscrapers; the aliens' unusual view challenges our human-centric idea of how the universe works and our place in it. Parallax features an original score, composed by Dale Nichols, and the voice talents of Jennifer Munby.

Full Body of Work (updated frequently)

With The New York Times
Video Essays