Raymond Thompson

Raymond Thompson is a screenwriter, composer and producer.

Thompson was born in Redditch, Worcestershire and grew up in Ontario, after his parents emigrated to Canada. He studied Drama at York University and embarked upon a successful career in the music industry as both a songwriter and musician. His groups include Stillwater, and one evolved into Edison Lighthouse, who had the No. one record "Love Grows Were My Rosemary Goes".

Thompson published a novel in 1979, The Number To Call Is ... before becoming a script consultant for various producers. His television writing credits from the 80s include Squadron and Howard's Way, which ran for six years. He acquired the position of Head of Development for BBC Television Drama Series and worked on many titles, including Bergerac and The House Of Elliot. In 1994 and in association with the Sancuary Group PLC, Thompson founded his own production company, The Cloud 9 Screen Entertainment Group, which has since specialized in family entertainment.

The company trades through offices in London, Wellington (New Zealand), and has expanded into the Australian market. Southern Star currently distribute the substantial back catalogoe. Since 1994, Thompson has produced several television series and movies, including The Enid Blyton Adventure Series, The Enid Blyton Secret Series, The Adventures Of Swiss Family Robinson (starring Richard Thomas), Return To Treasure Island, The Legend Of William Tell (created by Raymond), William Shatner's A Twist In The Tale (also created by Raymond). Other series Thompson created include Atlantis High, Revelations, and The New Tomorrow. Perhaps his best known creation was the teen drama/sci-fi hybrid The Tribe, which has become a cult classic around the world and ran for five years with almost three hundred episodes being produced.

His son Cameron has Asperger's Syndrome; Raymond has also been diagnosed with the condition., which is out of the Autistic spectrum. This led him to found Cloud 9's Children Foundation, which aims to support families affected by the syndrome mainly in Oceania.

In 2001, he returned to his muic roots and composed the soundtracks of Cloud 9's portfolio of product produced. Also the "Spirit Symphony", which was partly inspired by Asperger's. It was performed by the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra and released on CD in 2004. The proceeds of the song 'With You Every Step of the Way' ( also composed by Raymond) were donated to the foundation.

He has been a juror at BAFTA and the International Emmy Awards. In 2003, he was appointed by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II as a member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for his services to television. In the same year he also received an Honours Award at Dragon*Con.

A`wine lover - he owns Tirohana Estate.

Since 2007, Thompson has been focusing on his screenwriting activities and is developing a portfolio of motion pictures.

External links

* [http://www.entercloud9.com Cloud 9 Screen Entertainment Group]
* [http://www.withyoueverystepoftheway.com Cloud 9 Children's Foundation]