Mike Naylor
Born and bred in Yorkshire, I left home at the age of 16 to become the very first trainee to be taken on by ITV. That was in 1962 when Armchair Theatre and Opportunity Knocks were still gaining popularity. Come 1968, ABC lost their franchise, so I emigrated back across the Pennines and joined Yorkshire Television. YTV produced some amazing programmes in those earlier days. Drama, documentaries and light entertainment. I'm proud to have worked on so many of those and with so many talented people.
Around the time of the minor's strike, when government meddling really took off, ITV began its steady decline. By 1988, I opted for voluntary redundancy and set up my own television post production company, Sync Facilities. It was the first independent to adopt digital technology. It was too late, government policy U-turned again and programme budgets continued to plummet. So, in 2000 I decided bail get out and emigrate to sunny Spain.
Since arriving, I've produced a few business and pop videos and, for one very notable season of horse racing, I was appointed to manage the television coverage at the Hipodromo Costa del Sol. Most recently, I wrote and directed the infamous traditional British comedy feature film, "Black Forest Gateau", under the Wrinkly Film banner. With a near zero budget, it was no match for a 20 million dollar action blockbuster.
I have a tremendous range of creative and technical ability and remain as enthusiastic as ever - albeit much more cynical. I now concentrate on photography, writing and painting, until I can think of something more exciting to do.
Mike Naylor - thoughtful, sometimes too serious, romantic, nostalgic, difficult to get to know, likes to solve the World's problems, cynical, rebellious, embraces challenging projects, loves technology, but hates text messaging and refuses to have his mobile surgically implanted.
