Tom Hooper (director)

Infobox Actor
name = Tom Hooper
birthdate = 1972
birthplace = London, England
occupation = Television and film director
parents = Richard Hooper
yearsactive = 1997–present
emmyawards = Outstanding Directing for a Miniseries, Movie or a Dramatic Special
2006 "Elizabeth I"

Tom Hooper (born 1972) is an English film and television director.

Biography

Hooper attended a prep school in Highgate, London and later the Westminster School. He took a gap year before reading English at Oxford University and during that time directed "Painted Faces", a short that was later screened at the London Film Festival. During his time at Oxford he directed plays. Hooper's father, Richard Hooper, a director of United News & Media, introduced him to Matthew Robinson, the producer of the CBBC drama "Byker Grove", who gave him the job of directing three 1997 episodes of the series. Between 1998 and 2000, Hooper directed seven episodes of the BBC's flagship soap opera "EastEnders", two of which won the programme the BAFTA Award for Best Soap Opera.cite news|first=Maggie|last=Brown|title= Prime candidate|url= http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2006/oct/16/mondaymediasection10|work= The Guardian|date= 2006-10-16|accessdate= 2008-01-25]

In 1999 he directed two episodes of the ITV comedy drama "Cold Feet". He was hired as part of producer Christine Langan's strategy of recruiting directors who had done little television work before. The series Hooper worked on was nominated for the British Academy Television Award for Best Drama Series. His work on this programme lead Granada Television's head of comedy and drama Andy Harries to offer him the job of directing the sixth installment and revival of the "Prime Suspect" serial. Hooper initially declined the invitation but changed his mind when Helen Mirren, who played Jane Tennison, convinced him to take the job. Mirren was instrumental in getting Hooper hired as director for the 2005 historical serial "Elizabeth". Her choice paid off for Hooper when he was presented the Emmy Award for Outstanding Directing for a Miniseries, Movie or a Dramatic Special in 2006.

Other historical dramas include the BBC adaptations of "Love in a Cold Climate" and "Daniel Deronda". In 2004 he directed "Red Dust", which won the Special Jury Award at the International Film Festival of India. In 2005 he began work on "Longford", a drama charting Lord Longford's attempts to secure the release of convicted serial killer Myra Hindley. In 2007 he directed "John Adams" for Playtone and HBO Films. [Cite news|first=Larry|last=Bonko|title=Filming for 'John Adams' begins Thursday in Williamsburg|url=http://content.hamptonroads.com/story.cfm?story=119829&ran=204701|work=The Virginian Pilot|date=2007-02-21|accessdate=2007-08-24] [cite web|title= The 60th Primetime Emmy Awards andCreative Arts Emmy Awards Nominees are... |url= http://emmys.tv/awards/2008pte/60thpte_noms.php|work= Emmys|accessdate= 2008-07-17] In 2008 he directed Peter Morgan's adaptation of "The Damned Utd". [Cite news|first= Adam|last= Dawtrey|title= Morgan prepares 'Queen' sequel|url= http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117973094.html|work= Variety|date= 2007-10-01|accessdate= 2007-11-10]

In 2006, he was ranked #4 in "Broadcast"'s Hot 100 directors. [cite news|author= Adams, Vernon|title= Hot 100 - directors|url= http://www2.broadcastnow.co.uk/broadcastnowArticle.aspx?intStoryID=165717|work= Broadcast|publisher= EMAP|date= 2006-11-24|accessdate= 2008-08-26]

Filmography

References

External links

* [http://ftvdb.bfi.org.uk/sift/individual/405561 Tom Hooper] at the British Film Institute
*imdb|0393799|Tom Hooper