Director/Producer for hire

James Freemantle
makes films

[ Creative. Training. Commercial ]

Insatiable curiosity about diverse perspectives, lives and experiences drives my work, and I’m always up for a challenge.

I value learning, adventures and telling stories. They all count for something; whether the goal is to inform, to educate or to entertain. Having started my career in front of the lens, I pride myself on bringing out the best in those I direct, and in creating engaging, intelligent and genuinely watchable film and TV.

Thanks to an enduring productive partnership with cinematographer Tony Dean, James continues to make world-class content for government, business, NFP and private clients. Training films for the World Bank (Stand & Deliver – translated into Bahasa, Chinese and Vietnamese) for example, and for People Measures leadership development consultancy’s clients the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet (Diversity and Inclusion), Australian Tax Office (Leadership Development short courses) and the CBA.

Lemon

When life gives you Lemon, sometimes it’s all you need.

We hand-reared a lamb who was born ‘not quite right’ – a second twin whose Mum rejected him - a bit of a lemon, and that’s what we called him. Eastern Australia had been inundated with floods two years in a row, bringing hardship and loss. Tony Dean and I were producing training films for a client and wanted to make a short to exercise our creative instincts. Russ - an English actor and Tony’s brother - was in town and we were intrigued by the work of Sarajevo-born Milijana Cancar, who came to Australia as a refugee during the breakup of Yugoslavia in 1994. Mili, Russ and I created the characters Raff and Beatrice, and co-developed the script, with the little farm on Dja Dja Wurrung country in central Victoria I share with my family as our location.

We filmed in two and a half days with two actors, a lamb and a less-than-skeleton crew of three, then took a year to put it together in our spare time. It’s entered into festivals world-wide, accepted into 4 so far (in Montreal, Cambridge, Gympie and San Antonio!) and we’re looking forward to our premiere screening at the Heart of Gold festival in Qld, Australia.

So far we can only offer you the teaser, but hope you love it as much as we loved the work of this talented lamb!

James Freemantle’s known for his exuberant TV presenting circa 1998 - 2007 when he wrote, produced and presented over 300 stories for Australian television - on Coxy's Big Break, Postcards, Talk to the Animals and Bread. Based in Moscow during 2007/08 James was an international anchor for controversial TV News channel RT, broadcasting globally. He presented Medifacts for Buchanan Group for 8 years, wrote and presented stories about Australian agriculture for MLA’s Feedback TV and has worked as an actor on Stingers, Secret Life of Us, Wog Boy, Neighbours and numerous short films and TVCs.

  • Working with James Freemantle on multiple productions, I have found him to be a hardworking writer/director with a real passion for storytelling and elegant visual style. His commitment to each aspect of filmmaking and the ability to create an enjoyable working environment for everyone make him both a consummate professional and a true pleasure to work with. James brings clear and stimulating ideas to set, while at the same time he remains open-minded and receptive to his collaborators. His compassionate nature complements his integrity, commitment and passion for filmmaking.

    Milijana Cancar, Actor

  • James Freemantle was series producer on my Channel 9 TV series Wilde About Golf. He wrote my scripts, directed my work and that of everyone else involved, and ensured that what went to air was accurate, entertaining and informative (but mostly entertaining). The breadth of experience he brought to that project was most valuable as he understands not only production techniques but also those of presentation. As a direct result of our creative affiliation, James remains a valued friend and consultant in many varied aspects of my life.

    Wilbur Wilde, Entertainer

  • When placed in front of a television camera even the most confident people have a certain amount of uneasiness. As a producer with a history of presenting, James has the unique ability of knowing what it’s like to be in your shoes. With this knowledge he recognises that talent needs to be nurtured and understood not pressured and berated if things don’t go exactly to plan. James gets to know your personality and gives you the confidence to be who you are not what you ‘think’ you should be. James has a calming energy and down to earth nature which makes everyone on set feel at ease. A creative soul and an all round great guy to be around.

    Angie Hilton, Hilton Media Group