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 volunteering 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 helps inform 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.
I was privileged to judge the Social Issues & Current Affairs category, celebrating 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. ”