ABOUT ME
I'm a freelance Executive Producer, Showrunner and Series Editor with twenty-five years experience in primetime award-winning unscripted TV production. Based in Brighton, UK, but working worldwide.
I like to partner with production companies and broadcasters that aim to create talked-about television, are innovators who trust viewers’ intelligence, and who embrace the responsibilities we have to those who take part in our programmes. I hope to work with others who are bubbling with enthusiasm, and can remain calm and optimistic whatever is thrown at us. I believe the strength of the programme is a reflection of the strength of the team.
VOLUNTEERING
2016-2022. Alongside TV I spent six years volenteering with The Samaritans, a national suicide prevention charity, helping people in times of real distress. We undergo regular training which provides a practical working knowledge of mental health issues, and informs the way I run productions and the content I produce. I believe people shouldn’t have to suffer alone, and never because of unnecessary pressure at work. Talking through our problems and exploring our options is always the best approach.
This Autumn I’ll be judging the best in international television at the 15th annual RealScreen Awards: the industry’s global celebration of excellence in non-fiction and unscripted entertainment.
AWARDS :
‘Ramsay’s Kitchen Nightmares’ - BAFTA WINNER - BEST FEATURES SERIES
‘The F Word’ - BAFTA NOMINEE - BEST FEATURES SERIES
‘Doing Drugs For Fun’ - RTS SOUTH NOMINEE - BEST FACTUAL SERIES
‘Food Unwrapped’ - RTS SOUTH NOMINEE - BEST FACTUAL SERIES
‘Pop Idol’ - ROSE D’OR WINNER - THE GOLDEN ROSE
‘Smuggled’ - ROSE D’OR NOMINEE - BEST REALITY & FACTUAL ENT
‘Britain’s Worst Driver’ - ROSE D’OR NOMINEE - BEST REALITY SERIES
‘Freak Out’ - BROADCAST NOMINEE - BEST FACTUAL SERIES
‘The 11 O’clock Show’ - BAFTA NOMINEE - BEST COMEDY SERIES Nominee
‘The Brian Conley Show’ - NTA NOMINEE - BEST ENTERTAINMENT SERIES
“I love working with Marc. He’s that rare mix of imaginative, organised, dependable and caring that you seldom get the pleasure of working with. I’ve worked on a number of shows with him and each time he’s risen further in my estimations. I’ve also recommended him for other gigs and I know he’s acquitted himself equally there. Don’t look any further, book him, or take for a drink because he’s great company too.”
“Marc Heffernan has just worked with me and is brilliant… He is good at storytelling, in the edit and especially if there’s a problem and needs someone to roll up their sleeves and sort it. He is very thorough with the detail of running a programme so nothing will fall through the cracks. He was great with the team, the commissioning editor and contributors. Very good at scriptwriting too and a real grafter (without complaint). I think he’d rise to any challenge you gave him.”
“Marc Heffernan is very talented and a great showrunner. His vision and ability to keep going the whole time was inspiring. He maintained a positive attitude throughout, and had a full understanding of the relationship that needed to be established between the local fishermen and the foreign crew. ”