Shane Meadows

Shane Meadows (born 26 December 1972) is an English film director, screenwriter, occasional actor and BAFTA winner.
The vast majority of Meadows' films have been set in the Midlands area. They recall the kitchen sink realism of filmmakers such as Ken Loach and Mike Leigh, with a post-modern twist. He has a relaxed directing style, encouraging the actors to ad lib in order to create a better sense of reality. Much of the content of his films is semi-autobiographical and based on his experiences in Uttoxeter. Twenty Four Seven was inspired by his youth, both at a boxing club, and also playing in a local football club. Despite some huge losses, the club's coach never lost faith in them. A Room for Romeo Brass was also inspired by his youth. After Paul Fraser — his best friend, neighbour and future writing partner— had a bad accident and was bound to his bed for two years, Meadows instead hung around with some of the town's more undesirable characters. Dead Man's Shoes is based on the more unpleasant side of his youth in Uttoxeter. It was inspired by a close friend who had been bullied, developed a drug problem and then committed suicide. He said "I couldn't believe that, going back ten years later, he had been totally forgotten in the town — it was as if he had never existed. I was filled with anger against the people who had bullied and pushed the drugs on him, and with despair at what drugs had done to that small community".

Five of Meadows' films were shown at the 2007 Flourish Festival, held annually in Uttoxeter, to mark the release of This is England.

His second feature-length film, Twenty Four Seven, won several awards at film festivals, including the Douglas Hickox award at the British Independent Film Awards and Best Screenplay at the Thessaloniki Film Festival. Dead Man's Shoes, his sixth film, and third starring Paddy Considine, was nominated for a BAFTA for Best British Film. His seventh film This is England, won the British Independent Film Awards 2006 for best British independent film. Shane was presented with the award by Sylvester Stallone and used the occasion to announce that he was to be a father.

His shortest film, The Stairwell, was shot on a mobile phone and is just 40 seconds long. It consists solely of a man and woman, played by Meadows regulars Andrew Shim and Vicky McClure, violently bumping into each other on a stairwell.

He is widely regarded as a big fan of Notts County F.C., with several references included in his films by way of imagery and background shots.

Written:

This Is England '86 (TV series)

– Episode #1.4 (2010) (writer)

– Episode #1.3 (2010) (writer)

– Episode #1.2 (2010) (writer)

– Episode #1.1 (2010) (writer)

2009Le Donk & Scor-zay-zee (writer)

2006This Is England (written by)

2005The Stairwell (short) (uncredited)

2004Northern Soul (short)

2004Dead Man's Shoes (written by)

2002Once Upon a Time in the Midlands (written by)

1999A Room for Romeo Brass (writer)

199724 7: Twenty Four Seven (written by)

1996Where's the Money, Ronnie? (short) (written by)

1996/IISmall Time

Directed:

This Is England '86 (TV series)

– Episode #1.4 (2010)

– Episode #1.3 (2010)

2009Le Donk & Scor-zay-zee

2008Somers Town

2006This Is England

2005The Stairwell (short)

2004Northern Soul (short)

2004Dead Man's Shoes

2002Once Upon a Time in the Midlands

1999A Room for Romeo Brass

199724 7: Twenty Four Seven

1996Where's the Money, Ronnie? (short)

1996/IISmall Time 

Acted in:

Once Upon a Time in the Midlands
Bingo Caller

1999A Room for Romeo Brass
Male Nurse (as Shaun Fields)

199724 7: Twenty Four Seven
Man with Saucepan on Head (as Lord Shane Meadows of Eldon)

1996/IISmall Time
Jumbo

1996Where's the Money, Ronnie? (short)
Ronnie

Edited:

Northern Soul (short) (as Shaun Fields)

1996/IISmall Time

1996Where's the Money, Ronnie? (short) (uncredited) 

Produced:

Small Time (producer)

1996Where's the Money, Ronnie? (short) (producer) 

Cinematography:

Where's the Money, Ronnie? (short)