Various
David started in showbiz as a gag writer at the BBC, when someone noticed he could draw so asked if he could write for animation. He’s never looked back until now, to write this bio in the third person.
David’s first collaboration was with Alan Gilbey on Aardman’s Rex the Runt for the BBC, which led to a 9 year writing and show creation partnership, with slew of awards including a Bafta and Gemini win, a few Annie nominations and not much sleep for 9 years.
David then went on to become a showrunner on series for CiTV and Disney Channel, (still collaborative but with more people and more sleep) which leads us to now, where David still has a toe in television but is up to at least his knees in Features constantly collaborating with 3 other writers, each of whom conveniently also has another life beyond. Jules de Jongh is a brilliant prolific voice actress. Paul Mari writes for Soaps and legit theatre. And Gareth Edwards is highly successful comedy producer.
In his spare time David does English adaptation and dubbing/voice direction work. Plus he writes extremely catchy songs, such as PJ MASK. Click here to listen!
TELEVISION SHOW RUNNING and DIRECTION
Groove High
DISNEY CHANNEL/PLANET NEMO - Series Director, Animation & Live Action
King Arthur's Disasters - season II
NICKELODEON / ZENITH / NEPTUNO - Series Director
Lucky Fred - seasons I & II
IMIRA ENTERTAINMENT- Voice Director / Script punch ups
Thunderbirds I.R. - CARLTON
Producer/Show Runner
Legend of the Dragon
CBBC/BKN - Producer/Show Runner
It's the Mr Hell Show!
SHOWTIME & BBC2 - Peafur CoPro with Sextant - Exec Producer/Co-Creator
Bounty Hamster, CiTV
Peafur CoPro with Silver Fox - Exec Producer/Co-Creator/Writer
FEATURES
Balderdash
KAPERS ANIMATION/FABRIQUE D’IMAGE - Story by, Co-Screenplay
Best Served Cold
BBC COMEDY - Story by, Co-Screenplay
Book of Kells
CARTOON SALOON - Story Consultant, special thanks
Check Mate
DEN SISTE SKILLING - Script Doctor, Additional Material credit
Dolphin Tale III
In Deep Water - ALCON ENTERTAINMENT - Co-Story by, Co-Screenplay
Dragonkeeper
SC FILMS, DRAGONE MEDIA - Script Doctor
Ellie & The Christmas Creep
FABRIQUE D’IMAGE – Co-Screenplay
Evolution
THINKLAB ANIMATION – Co-Screenplay
Faith
SC FILMS - Co-Screenplay
Gamers
ILION ANIMATION - Story Development, Co-Screenplay
Gigantosaurus
the Giganto Feature - CYBERGROUP STUDIOS - Co-Screenplay
Head Space
SC FILMS & LUMA S.A. - Script Doctor
Inspector Sun
THINKLAB ANIMATION - Co-Script Doctor, Additional Material credit
Magic Wonderland
ZOLAND STUDIOS, CHINA - Script Doctor
Princess Dragon
ANKAMA - Story Consultant
Santa’s Apprentice 2
GAUMONT - Script Doctor, Co-Screenplay credit
Spellbound
ILION ANIMATION, SKYDANCE MEDIA, PARAMOUNT PICTURES - Story Development
Sokator 442
GALLEON ENTERTAINMENT - Script Doctor
Spy Dog
I HEART CINEMA - Book Adaptation
Thunderbirds
WORKING TITLE - Script Consultant - uncredited
Unstable
CARPE DIEM - Co-Writer, Co-Screenplay, Songs
W.A.M. (working title)
ILION ANIMATION - Story Development, Co-Screenplay
Yakari
the Movie, DARGAUD - Story Development
FEATURE DUBBING/ENGLISH ADAPTATIONS
Another Day of Life
GKIDS - Re-Casting & Dub
Best Birthday Ever
SC FILMS, SLUGGER FILMS - English Adaptation, Casting & Dub
Big Bad Fox and Other Tales
GKIDS / STUDIOCANAL- English Adaptation
Bunuel in the Labyrinth of the Turtles
GKIDS - Casting & Dub
Mary and the Witch’s Flower
STUDIO PONOC - English Adaptation
My Father’s Secrets
SC FILMS, JE SUIS BIEN CONTENT - English Adaptation, Casting & Dub
Only Yesterday
STUDIO GHIBLI - English Adaptation & Dub
Ronja The Robber’s Daughter
26 x half hours, STUDIO GHIBLI - English Adaptations & Dubs
Up On Poppy Hill
STUDIO GHIBLI - Consulting, Special Thanks credit
When Marnie Was There
STUDIO GHIBLI - English Adaptation & Dub - Oscar nominated, Best Animated Feature.
The Wind Rises
STUDIO GHIBLI - Consulting, Special Thanks credit
TV WRITING
Bob & Margaret
CHANNEL 4/NELVANA - Script Editing
Bounty Hamster
CiTV - Peafur CoPro with Silver Fox - Co-Writer - multiple
Casper the Friendly Ghost
UNIVERSAL - Co-Writer - multiple
Dennis & Gnasher
BBC/COLLINGWOOD / BEANO / FOX FAMILY - Co-Writer - multiple
First Snow of Winter
BBC/HIBBERT RALPH - Co-Screenplay
Foxbusters
COSGROVE HALL/ITEL/CiTV - Developed for TV, Co-Writer
It's the Mr Hell Show!
SHOWTIME & BBC2 - Heaps of sketches whilst somehow still producing it.
Pirates
BBC/CHILDSPLAY - Co-Writer - multiple
Rex The Runt
BBC/AARDMAN - Developed for TV & Scripts
Rubi Gets It Right
ZOLAND ANIMATION, CHINA - Head Writer, Board Supervisor, Songs
Seven Little Monsters
PLAYTONE / MAURICE SENDAK / NELVANA - Developed for TV, Scripts
What’s With Andy?!
FOX FAMILY / CINEGROUP - Developed for TV, Scripts
SHORT FILMS
Damned
NFT - Director: Richard Phelan - Story Consultant
The Old Lady & the Pigeons
Director: Sylvain Chomet, BBC & DJANGO - Dialogue
IN HOUSE CREATIVE EXEC
2008 – 2010
Senior Manager Creative Development EMEA, - DISNEY CHANNEL UK
2001 – 2002
Executive Producer, Development - CARLTON
RAN AN ANIMATION STUDIO
1998 - 2001
David set up and ran Peafur with his wife for the purposes of co-producing series, developed with Alan Gilbey. The studio ran pre and post production, and also produced the odd animated commercial for Kelloggs.
Awards
David Freedman personally has a Bafta, Gemini, Leo and a Cannes Silver Lion on his shelf. He and his wife together were nominated for an Annie and International Emmy. Meanwhile, David helped others garner 3 Oscar noms, 4 BAFTA noms and 2 wins - including Best Animated Series, another Leo - Best Animated Series, a few Royal Television Society wins, Chicago Film Fest wins, Annecy noms and many more.