Graeme Campbell (director)
Encyclopedia
Graeme Neil Campbell is an award-winning film director, writer and editor.
, Quebec to William and Thelma Campbell. His body of work lies mostly in films made for television as well as mini-series', although he has transitioned into episodic television in more recent years as well. He earned a BFA from Montreal's Concordia University
.
He has been writing and directing movies and television for over twenty years. He started off making documentaries, but got his first break with the controversial feature, "Murder One" released by Miramax in 1988. Starring Henry Thomas
, the film is an uncompromising portrayal of a horrific crime spree gone wrong.
This led to another controversial true crime story “Deadly Betrayal: The Bruce Curtis Story” for NBC
about the poisonous friendship between two teens. It caused Scott Watkins of the New York Times to write “Through the creative and brilliant direction of Graeme Campbell, the viewer is taken on a roller coaster ride through hell. Using flashbacks, tense courtroom drama and frighteningly vivid jail scenes, Campbell and cast tell a riveting story.”
Campbell’s gift with actors is evident in such films as "Unforgivable" starring John Ritter
, “directed with a feeling for domestic Gothic by Graeme Campbell” according to Lynne Heffley of the LA Times. He has worked with some of the best actors in the business such as George C. Scott
, Ellen Page
, Rachel McAdams
, William Shatner
, Mercedes Ruehl
, and Elisha Cuthbert
among others.
Although known in his early career for his handling of dark subject matter, he has directed films in many genres, lately many uplifting ones. He has a passion for music and music stories which has led to Out of Sync a musical comedy for VH-1 and nearly half of the episodes of Instant Star
for The N over the last four seasons. “There aren’t many good dramas for teenagers. No, The O.C. doesn’t count, people. Instant Star does.” Palm Beach Post. He won a Gemini Award
for the episode "You Can't Always Get What You Want" and has been nominated for two others as well as two Director's Guild of Canada Awards. Campbell has also written for and acted in the show. He credits his teenage children for keeping his worldview young; in keeping with this vein, he directed the two part Degrassi: The Next Generation
special starring Kevin Smith
.
His four hour mini series Everest
recently aired on CBC
, and his latest film "An Old Fashioned Thanksgiving" premiered at the Hamptons International Film Festival
in October.
Graeme Campbell lives in Toronto with his wife Gina, and two teenage children, Max and Emilie.
Life and career
Campbell was born in MontrealMontreal
Montreal is a city in Canada. It is the largest city in the province of Quebec, the second-largest city in Canada and the seventh largest in North America...
, Quebec to William and Thelma Campbell. His body of work lies mostly in films made for television as well as mini-series', although he has transitioned into episodic television in more recent years as well. He earned a BFA from Montreal's Concordia University
Concordia University
Concordia University is a comprehensive Canadian public university located in Montreal, Quebec, one of the two universities in the city where English is the primary language of instruction...
.
He has been writing and directing movies and television for over twenty years. He started off making documentaries, but got his first break with the controversial feature, "Murder One" released by Miramax in 1988. Starring Henry Thomas
Henry Thomas
Henry Jackson Thomas, Jr. is an American actor and musician. He has appeared in more than 40 films and is best known for his role as Elliott in the 1982 Steven Spielberg film E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial.-Early life:...
, the film is an uncompromising portrayal of a horrific crime spree gone wrong.
This led to another controversial true crime story “Deadly Betrayal: The Bruce Curtis Story” for NBC
NBC
The National Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network and former radio network headquartered in the GE Building in New York City's Rockefeller Center with additional major offices near Los Angeles and in Chicago...
about the poisonous friendship between two teens. It caused Scott Watkins of the New York Times to write “Through the creative and brilliant direction of Graeme Campbell, the viewer is taken on a roller coaster ride through hell. Using flashbacks, tense courtroom drama and frighteningly vivid jail scenes, Campbell and cast tell a riveting story.”
Campbell’s gift with actors is evident in such films as "Unforgivable" starring John Ritter
John Ritter
Jonathan Southworth "John" Ritter was an American actor, voice over artist and comedian perhaps best known for having played Jack Tripper and Paul Hennessy in the ABC sitcoms Three's Company and 8 Simple Rules, respectively...
, “directed with a feeling for domestic Gothic by Graeme Campbell” according to Lynne Heffley of the LA Times. He has worked with some of the best actors in the business such as George C. Scott
George C. Scott
George Campbell Scott was an American stage and film actor, director and producer. He was best known for his stage work, as well as his portrayal of General George S. Patton in the film Patton, and as General Buck Turgidson in Stanley Kubrick's Dr...
, Ellen Page
Ellen Page
Ellen Philpotts-Page , known professionally as Ellen Page, is a Canadian actress. Page received both Golden Globe and Academy Award nominations for Best Actress for her role as the title character in the film Juno...
, Rachel McAdams
Rachel McAdams
Rachel Anne McAdams is a Canadian actress. After graduating from a theatre program at York University, Toronto in 2001, she worked steadily as an actress until finding fame in 2004 with starring roles in teen comedy Mean Girls and romantic drama The Notebook...
, William Shatner
William Shatner
William Alan Shatner is a Canadian actor, musician, recording artist, and author. He gained worldwide fame and became a cultural icon for his portrayal of James T...
, Mercedes Ruehl
Mercedes Ruehl
Mercedes J. Ruehl is an American theater, television and film actor.-Personal life:Ruehl was born in Jackson Heights, Queens, New York City, the daughter of Mercedes J., a school teacher, and Vincent Ruehl, an FBI agent. She was raised Catholic. Her father was of German and Irish descent and her...
, and Elisha Cuthbert
Elisha Cuthbert
Elisha Ann Cuthbert is a Canadian film and television actress. Cuthbert is known as the former co-host of the Canadian children's television series Popular Mechanics for Kids. In 1998, she had her first film role in Airspeed. She followed this in 2003 with a role in Old School...
among others.
Although known in his early career for his handling of dark subject matter, he has directed films in many genres, lately many uplifting ones. He has a passion for music and music stories which has led to Out of Sync a musical comedy for VH-1 and nearly half of the episodes of Instant Star
Instant Star
Instant Star was a Canadian television program which aired from September 2004 to June 2008. The series starred Alexz Johnson as adolescent music competition winner Jude Harrison. The show chronicles Harrison's experience in the recording industry whilst focusing upon character development.Linda...
for The N over the last four seasons. “There aren’t many good dramas for teenagers. No, The O.C. doesn’t count, people. Instant Star does.” Palm Beach Post. He won a Gemini Award
Gemini Award
The Gemini Awards are annual television broadcasting industry awards in Canada.First awarded in 1986, the Geminis celebrate the achievements of TV members of the Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television. Essentially, it presents awards for the best television productions in Canada. Awards are...
for the episode "You Can't Always Get What You Want" and has been nominated for two others as well as two Director's Guild of Canada Awards. Campbell has also written for and acted in the show. He credits his teenage children for keeping his worldview young; in keeping with this vein, he directed the two part Degrassi: The Next Generation
Degrassi: The Next Generation
Degrassi: The Next Generation is a Canadian teen drama television series set in the Degrassi universe, which was created by Linda Schuyler and Kit Hood in 1979. Degrassi is the fourth fictional series in the Degrassi franchise, and follows The Kids of Degrassi Street, Degrassi Junior High, and...
special starring Kevin Smith
Kevin Smith
Kevin Patrick Smith is an American screenwriter, actor, film producer, and director, as well as a popular comic book writer, author, comedian/raconteur, and internet radio personality best recognized by viewers as Silent Bob...
.
His four hour mini series Everest
Everest '82
Everest '82 is an Canadian drama film miniseries directed by Graeme Campbell and written by Keith Ross Leckie. It aired in the fall of 2008 on CBC television and was produced by Alberta Filmworks....
recently aired on CBC
Canadian Broadcasting Corporation
The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, commonly known as CBC and officially as CBC/Radio-Canada, is a Canadian crown corporation that serves as the national public radio and television broadcaster...
, and his latest film "An Old Fashioned Thanksgiving" premiered at the Hamptons International Film Festival
Hamptons International Film Festival
Hamptons International Film Festival was founded to provide a forum for independent filmmakers from around the world to express their vision. The Festival is traditionally held for five days in mid-October in theatre venues from Montauk to Southampton and attracts roughly 15,000 visitors annually...
in October.
Graeme Campbell lives in Toronto with his wife Gina, and two teenage children, Max and Emilie.
Filmography
- The Best YearsThe Best Years (TV series)The Best Years is a Canadian teen drama series set in Boston, Massachusetts. The series was created by producer and writer of Degrassi: The Next Generation, Aaron Martin...
(2 episodes, 2009) - Degrassi: The Next GenerationDegrassi: The Next GenerationDegrassi: The Next Generation is a Canadian teen drama television series set in the Degrassi universe, which was created by Linda Schuyler and Kit Hood in 1979. Degrassi is the fourth fictional series in the Degrassi franchise, and follows The Kids of Degrassi Street, Degrassi Junior High, and...
(4 episodes, 2005–2008) - An Old Fashioned ThanksgivingAn Old Fashioned ThanksgivingAn Old Fashioned Thanksgiving is a television movie based on a short story by Louisa May Alcott. Filmed on location in Canada, the movie premiered on Hallmark Channel on November 22, 2008...
(2008) (TV) - Instant StarInstant StarInstant Star was a Canadian television program which aired from September 2004 to June 2008. The series starred Alexz Johnson as adolescent music competition winner Jude Harrison. The show chronicles Harrison's experience in the recording industry whilst focusing upon character development.Linda...
(14 episodes, 2005–2008) - EverestEverest '82Everest '82 is an Canadian drama film miniseries directed by Graeme Campbell and written by Keith Ross Leckie. It aired in the fall of 2008 on CBC television and was produced by Alberta Filmworks....
(2007) TV mini-series - Going for Broke (2003) (TV)
- The Eleventh Hour (2002) TV series (1 episode, 2003)
- Strange Days at Blake Holsey HighStrange Days at Blake Holsey HighBlack Hole High is a Canadian science fiction television program which first aired in North America in October 2002 on NBC and Discovery Kids...
(2002) TV series (2 episodes, 2003) - Guilt by Association (2002) (TV)
- Mutant XMutant X (TV series)Mutant X is a science fiction television series that debuted on October 6, 2001. The show was created by Marvel Studios, and it centers around Mutant X, a team of "New Mutants" who possess extraordinary powers as a result of genetic engineering. The members of Mutant X were used as test subjects...
(2 episodes, 2001) - Dangerous ChildDangerous ChildDangerous Child is a 2001 made-for-TV movie starring Delta Burke and Ryan Merriman. Merriman won a Young Artist Award for "Best Performance in a TV Movie or Special - Leading Young Actor" for his role in the film...
(2001) (TV) - Out of Sync (2000) (TV) ... aka Lip Service (Australia) (USA: DVD title)
- G-SaviourG-SaviourG-Saviour is an live-action made for television movie set in Gundam metaseries, set in the Universal Century timeline. It also officially marks the last events of the Universal Century.-Production:...
(2000) (TV) - At the Mercy of a Stranger (1999) (TV)
- Twice in a LifetimeTwice in a Lifetime (TV series)Twice in a Lifetime is a Canadian mystery/drama series that originally aired from 1999 to 2001. Created by Steve Sohmer, the series aired on CTV in Canada and PAX in the United States.-Synopsis:...
(1999) TV series (3 episodes, 1999) - Dooley Gardens (1999) TV series (1 episode, 1999)
- Dream House (1998) (TV)
- Nico the UnicornNico the UnicornNico the Unicorn is a family movie made in 1998, which follows the story of young Billy Hastings and his adventures with a mystical unicorn named Nico. The film is based on the children's book of the same name, written by Frank Sacks....
(1998) - Volcano: Fire on the Mountain (1997) (TV)
- Country JusticeCountry JusticeCountry Justice is a 1997 made for TV movie.-Plot:Emma is a 15-year-old girl who was raised by her grandfather, Clayton Hayes . She wants to know about her mother Angie Baker , who abandoned her when she was a baby...
(1997) (TV) - Talk to Me (1996) (TV)
- Unforgivable (1996) (TV)
- The Outer LimitsThe Outer Limits (1995 TV series)The Outer Limits is an American television series that originally aired on Showtime,the Sci Fi Channel and in syndication between 1995 and 2002...
(1 episode, 1995) - Deadlocked: Escape from Zone 14 (1995) (TV)
- The Man in the Attic (1995) (TV)
- Kung Fu: The Legend ContinuesKung Fu: The Legend ContinuesKung Fu: The Legend Continues is a spin-off of the 1972-1975 television series Kung Fu. David Carradine and Chris Potter starred as a father and son trained in kung fu - Carradine playing a Shaolin monk, Potter a police detective. This series aired in syndication for four seasons, from January 27,...
(3 episodes, 1993–1994) - The Disappearance of Vonnie (1994) (TV)
- Road to AvonleaRoad to AvonleaRoad to Avonlea was a television series which was first broadcast in Canada and the United States between 1990 and 1996. It was created by Kevin Sullivan and produced by Sullivan Films in association with CBC and the Disney Channel, with additional funding from Telefilm Canada.It was adapted from...
(1 episode, 1993) - Ready or Not (4 episodes, 1993)
- North of 60North of 60North of 60 is a mid-1990s Canadian television series depicting life in the sub-Arctic northern boreal forest . It first aired on CBC Television in 1992 and was syndicated around the world. It is set in the fictional community of Lynx River, a primarily Native-run town depicted as being in the...
(1 episode, 1992) - The OdysseyThe Odyssey (TV series)The Odyssey is a Canadian-produced half-hour adventure-fantasy television series for children, originally broadcast 1992-95 on CBC Television...
(1 episode, 1992) - The Ray Bradbury TheaterThe Ray Bradbury TheaterThe Ray Bradbury Theater is an anthology series that ran for two seasons on HBO, three episodes per season from 1985 to 1986, and four additional seasons on USA Network from 1988 to 1992. It was later shown in reruns on the Sci Fi Channel...
(1 episode, 1992) - Deadly Betrayal: The Bruce Curtis Story (1991) (TV)
- Street JusticeStreet JusticeStreet Justice is an American action crime drama series starring Carl Weathers and Bryan Genesse. The series began airing in syndication in 1991, and was canceled in 1993 after two seasons.-Synopsis:...
(1991) TV series (1 episode, 1991) - Into the FireInto the Fire (1988 film)Into the Fire is a 1988 thriller film about a man who takes a job at a mysterious road-side lodge. The film was directed by Graeme Campbell, and stars Susan Anspach, Art Hindle, and Olivia d'Abo.-Cast:* Susan Anspach as Rosalind Winfield...
(1988) - Murder One (1988)
- Blood Relations (1988)
- Still Life (1988)