Cheri Warwick: Artist/Sculptor
“After a professional yet entertaining day filming, I am very impressed with the results which capture exactly the essence of how I wanted to express my art – well done and thanks.”
Tei Williams: Press and Marketing, The Watermill Theatre, near Newbury
“I wanted to say many thanks to everyone on the team for the truly cracking Hot Mikado video you produced for us. The interview was interesting and fun, the filming of the action was crystal clear and the edit was brilliant. The end product is a joy and does the job of selling the musical brilliantly. The tour venues have been very pleased with the video and we all agree it will help enormously in selling tickets. Everything from your administration to the execution of the brief was spot on. Thank you.”
Terry Heffernan: Commercial Director, High Position Ltd
“I have known Helen for many years during which time I have seen her keen eye for detail and perfection. A true media professional, Helen is someone that I have no hesitation in recommending to deliver high quality work for all she deals with.”
Mark Southgate: Regional Director: ITV Meridian/London
"Helen’s news background gives her the ability to work quickly, unobtrusively, and efficiently. She does her research thoroughly, plans carefully, and can then shoot fast and effectively, getting the most value possible out of a limited amount of time on location. Onto those core skills is grafted a confident and warm personality which means people like her, trust her, and enjoy working with her. It is a winning combination."
Sandra Jobling: Executive Producer, “Wire in the Blood” (Coastal Productions)
“Helen has worked alongside us on the promotion of our series Wire in the Blood by providing reports and extended video features for ITV and Coastal.Helen has always displayed a high degree of integrity, responsibility and ambition. She is definitely a leader rather than a follower.
She is also a most dependable team player. Her good judgement and mature outlook ensure a logical and practical approach to her endeavours. She has an extensive knowledge of television production.
Helen would be an asset to any organisation and I am happy to give her my wholehearted endorsement.”
Brian True-May: Executive Producer “Midsomer Murders” (Bentley Productions)
“Helen has filmed two Midsomer Murders documentaries for ITV regional news and I was very pleased with both. Her approach to each project was thorough and very well researched and during her filming on set she caused no disruption to principal photography.
Helen was quick to put everyone at their ease and immediately established a good rapport with John Nettles, the other cast members and crew.
Overall Helen has a professional and friendly approach to her work and the documentaries she created perfectly captured the essence of Midsomer.”
Keith Thompson: Producer, New Tricks; Wall to Wall
“Helen produced the dvd 'extras' for series six of New Tricks, I was immensely impressed with her professionalism and the constant flow of creative ideas...and what's more she's a real charmer!!”
Mark Southgate: Regional Director: ITV Meridian/London
“Helen is a top class journalist, a terrific producer and director, a skilled interviewer and presenter, but – above all else – Helen is a wonderful problem-solver!
Her news background gives her the ability to work quickly, unobtrusively, and efficiently. She does her research thoroughly, plans carefully, and can then shoot fast and effectively, getting the most value possible out of a limited amount of time on location. Onto those core skills is grafted a confident and warm personality which means people like her, trust her, and enjoy working with her. It is a winning combination.”
Colin Rawling/Simon Hewlett: Universal Pictures International
“2008 has been Universal Pictures International’s most successful year to date. Our slate of films has been vast and Helen has shown her support every step of the way from films such as The Other Boleyn Girl to Mamma Mia! The Movie.
Her charisma, enthusiasm for her subject matter and experience in the field has won favour within all departments at Universal Pictures: from trade marketing to publicity. Her work on Mamma Mia! The Movie was unsurpassed by any other journalist we worked with during the film’s publicity and included exceptional pieces with some of Hollywood’s true stars such as Meryl Streep.
In the past few weeks Mamma Mia! The Movie finally toppled Titanic to become the highest grossing film of all time in the UK, and we at Universal Pictures are under no illusion that Helen’s work (both in front of and behind the camera) played an imperative part in achieving this phenomenal milestone.
We hope to continue working with Helen throughout 2009 and beyond; as her work has simply become synonymous with all of the success we have achieved since our conception in 2006.”
Ivan Dunleavy, Chief Executive, The Pinewood Group
“Helen James is highly professional, programme-maker with whom we always enjoyed working. Helen has consistently produced well researched, accurate, high gloss entertainment reports.
Notwithstanding our obvious bias, Helen’s series, Pinewood at 70, was excellent and illustrated complex filming techniques in a manner easily understood by her audience.
Helen is always professional and exudes a huge amount of enthusiasm, confidence and warmth. She is a great communicator, relaxing interviewees and quickly establishing a good rapport, whether they are Hollywood stars or technicians behind the camera.
We would happily work with Helen again at any time.”
Peter Rogers: Producer of the “Carry On..” franchise
“As you may imagine, I have been subjected to numerous interviewees in my capacity as Producer of 100 films.
Helen James is the most efficient, the most understanding among the many who have interviewed me. She is worthy of congratulations.”
Jenny Cooper: Screen South
"I would like to bring attention to the tremendous work that Helen James has done in promoting and raising the profile of the region and the regions talent to a wide and diverse audience.
The companies within the Pinewood group and the Pinewood Group themselves trust and like Helen. Her enthusiasm and relaxed manner seems to bring the best out of the stars she interviews and her in depth look at where productions have filmed in the region highlight the glorious locations that are available in the UK. For the commissions office at Screen South Helen is a god send, she is genuinely interested, she explores, promotes and enthuses about the great things and people found in the South East. I really hope that I and that Screen South continue to work with Helen for many more years".
Louise West: Jane Austen's House Museum:
"Helen James has been known to us for many years through her work with ITV. We are always delighted to hear from her as we know she will present our story with integrity. She has interviewed me many times and never makes me feel nervous. Her unfussy, engaging personality brings out the best in people and allows them to appear natural and at ease. Her work ethic and attitude can probably be best illustrated by describing her most recent report from here on ITV's drama series, "Lost in Austen". We were open to the public at the time and yet Helen's filming caused minimal disruption. We hope to work with Helen again on many future occasions".
Abha Thakor: Director of Communications, Diocese of Winchester and Cathedral.
"We have worked extensively with Helen James and we have found her to be highly competent, aware of the story's wider relevance, quick to ascertain complex issues and presenting these ideas in a clear and interesting style for the target market, as well as asking pertinent and probing questions. We have found her sensitivity towards people involved in difficult stories admirable and her reporting fair and balanced. Her depth of journalism experience and her integrity in dealing with people and finding the right information, show in her work".
Mark Southgate: Regional Director, ITV Meridian/London
“Helen is a top class journalist, a terrific producer and director, a skilled interviewer and presenter, but – above all else – Helen is a wonderful problem-solver!
She has a great “can-do” attitude and when that is combined with her dogged determination, her capacity for sheer hard work, and her very likeable personality, then no door remains closed to her for very long. She is someone who – whatever the task – delivers to the highest of standards.
I’ve seen Helen at first hand working as a news reporter, a news presenter, a producer of high-quality entertainment features, and skilled interviewer who is as confident with senior politicians as she is with Hollywood celebrities. I’ve seen her produce half-hour factual programmes and I’ve seen her present them too. She excels in all of these roles.
Her news background gives her the ability to work quickly, unobtrusively, and efficiently. She does her research thoroughly, plans carefully, and can then shoot fast and effectively, getting the most value possible out of a limited amount of time on location. Onto those core skills is grafted a confident and warm personality which means people like her, trust her, and enjoy working with her. It is a winning combination. Helen has produced some outstanding work for ITV over the years in a wide variety of roles. She is one of those rare people who when you ask them to do something difficult, makes it look effortless and then delivers results that far exceed your expectations.”
Fred Dinenage: Presenter, ITV Meridian Tonight
“Helen James has been a colleague of mine in ITV in the south for a number of years. She is one of the finest film-makers I’ve ever worked with, with a particular skill in reporting on entertainment and film/show business celebrities.
Her showbiz interviews have been absolutely fabulous! She is also a top-class studio presenter. And she’s a joy to work alongside with an infectious enthusiasm for everything she does. She’s truly a lovely and talented lady.”
Debbie Thrower: Presenter - ITV Meridian Tonight (South)
“I have been a colleague of Helen James for many years and in the last four, particularly, have seen her blossom in her specialism as an entertainments correspondent.
She consistently produces well researched high-gloss pieces about the latest film releases and stage productions.
She has real journalistic “nous” when it comes to knowing and owning a good story. I envy her contacts book which is invaluable when it comes to knowing just who to reach to get THE interview of the moment.
With her expertise as a presenter too she shows a dazzling versatility. She is a lively, energetic personality with the chutzpah to succeed in whatever her chosen field, and with both a journalistic and technical background in directing she is well-placed to maximise her skills in an increasingly competitive broadcasting environment.”
Wesley Smith: Presenter ITV, Thames Valley Tonight
“Helen has produced some of the best features material I have seen in 24 years working for ITV. The quality of her work is outstanding and she always goes the extra mile to achieve excellence. Her interpersonal skills have seen her build contacts and achieve results people working in any national organisation would envy. Helen understands how technology can be best used to maximise visual impact. As a live news co-presenter, Helen was always a pleasure to work alongside.”
Ian Axton: Presenter – ITV Meridian Tonight
"You get to know someone quite well when they sit next to you night after night for half an hour of live TV! I’ve had the pleasure of working with Helen James for five years and watching her perform as both a presenter and reporter.
Her warm personality always shines through on screen and she’s 100% dedicated to everything she does. Helen can handle the serious and the light hearted and always gets the most from interviewees whether live or on tape.
As an Entertainment Correspondent she’s excelled, creating ‘must watch’ reports that put the gloss into our magazine programme. She’s one of the most talented and hard working people I’ve been lucky enough to work with."
Robin Britton: Head of News, ITV Meridian
“Helen James is a first-class journalist whose wide range of skills include reporting and live presentation – on location or from the studio.
She specialises in Arts & Entertainment and her network of contacts are unrivalled, reading like a BAFTA nomination list of ‘stars’ before or behind the camera. Many working in this field deliver reports or packages that regurgitate press releases or deliver little the viewer doesn’t already know. Helen's standards would never let her fall into this trap. Her reports go much deeper because they have a level of research and execution that are tailor-made to those watching – be it a particular angle others have missed or because her contacts have given her access others just don’t get. As a result her conversations take those she’s interviewing in a new direction, engaging them in a way others cannot, consequently they are much better experience for the interviewee and the viewer.
Her features also ‘look’ better because she always gets the best out of her crew, being able to direct and produce to the highest level, and because she generates and sets up her own stories.
While Arts & Entertainment is her specialist subject, the truth is Helen can turn her hand to anything and do it very well. She is excellent at general news reporting and a top performer when dealing with breaking news.”
Justine Morris: Producer, ITV/BBC news
“Helen is driven, thorough and passionate about what she does. Her enthusiasm is infectious, she's always full of ideas - and the end product never disappoints.”
Tei Williams - Press Arts and Marketing, Watermill Theatre, Newbury
"I wanted to say many thanks to everyone on the team for the truly cracking Hot Mikado video you produced for us. The interview was interesting and fun, the filming of the action was crystal clear and the edit was brilliant. The end product is a joy and does the job of selling the musical brilliantly. The tour venues have been very pleased with the video and we all agree it will help enormously in selling tickets. Everything from your administration to the execution of the brief was spot on. Thank you".
Carole Scott: Director: Bottle PR:
“I worked with Helen James when I represented film director, Vicky Jewson. We were organising the PR for her film's premiere. Vicky is a first time director in her early twenties.
Helen was great to work with. As well as immediately seeing what would work best for the Oxfordshire audience, she also thought about the story from a wider regional angle, identifying which actors would provide local hooks for ITV across the South East. With Helen on the case, we secured numerous pieces of coverage in the South East, including a profile on Vicky and live coverage from the premiere itself.
The best thing about working with Helen is her ability to think "what else could work?" to extract the maximum value from a story. She is also consistently friendly, approachable and collaborative. I hope to get to work with Helen in the future.”
Jan Dunn of Medb (Maeve) Films - Independent Film Production Company
"We have had the pleasure of working with Helen James Productions both as a reported entertainment news story and as a commissioning company and we would have no hesitation in recommending them for both informative and entertaining news reports and EPKs.
What I particularly love is the personal touch to everything they do, making the client feel special and individual. The enthusiasm Helen herself gives in her approach to work is contagious, making eveyone give their best in interviews."
