Steve Norris(I)
- Producer
- Production Manager
- Additional Crew
2019-2023
Currently consulting for a range of media clients, Norris has had a long and distinguished career in the international film and television industry. His specialized skills cover such areas as film and television production, Screen Commission strategy on a national level, media company strategy and media finance.
Most recently, Norris was Director, Film and Television for Twofour54 from 2019 though the spring of 2021, the state media agency for Abu Dhabi in the UAE, where he oversaw production in the region, culminating in the shooting of MISSION IMPOSSIBLE GHOST PROTOCOL amongst many.
2010-2018 Prior to that, Norris produced PATIENT ZERO with Matt Smith, Natalie Dormer and Stanley Tucci for Sony Pictures, which had its US theatrical release in late 2018. Between 2012 and 2018, he acted as a consultant for Double Negative (part of the Prime Focus group of Companies), Europe's largest and most distinguished visual effects company and the winner of consecutive Academy Awards for their work on Christopher Nolan's INTERSTELLAR and Alex Garland's EX MACHINA during his tenure. He also consulted for a number of other key industry clients including global film brands such as Aardman Animation and HAS appeared as an expert witness in several major litigation cases relating to film production and finance. From 2010 until 2016, Norris also served as Executive Producer for Pinewood Films, the film production arm of Pinewood Studios, which he created in 2010. During that time, he was Producer on films including: KILL YOUR FRIENDS, starring Nicholas Hoult and James Cordon and based on John Niven's seminal novel, Lone Sherfig's THE RIOT CLUB (based on the award-winning play POSH) for Pinewood Films, Film 4 and the BFI, starring Sam Claflin, Max Irons and Holiday Grainger OUR ROBOT OVERLORDS, starring Sir Ben Kingsley and Gillian Anderson for Pinewood, Embankment Films and the BFI. Omid Nooshin's LAST PASSENGER with Dougray Scott for Pathe, the BFI, Future Films and Pinewood Films Amma Assante's BELLE for Bankside, the BFI, Pinewood Films and CinemaNX, and starring Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Tom Wilkinson, Emily Watson, Matthew Goode and Miranda Richardson DOM HEMINGWAY, starring Jude Law and Richard E Grant for Hanway, The Recorded Picture Company, CinemaNX and Pinewood Films POWDER ROOM, starring Sheridan Smith and Jamie Winston for DJ Films, Pinewood Films and Universal Pictures A FANTASTIC FEAR OF EVERYTHING, starring Simon Pegg for Universal Pictures and The Works International
2006-2009 In 2006, Sir William Sargent appointed Norris as Managing Director Film for Framestore, at that time Europe's biggest visual effects company. During Norris's tenure, Framestore won its first Academy Award for its ground-breaking work on THE GOLDEN COMPASS and was further nominated for the "Oscar" VFX award in each of the years Norris was MD (for SUPERMAN and THE DARK KNIGHT). At the same time, Norris also oversaw its expansion into production through the development of Framestore Features, which co-produced several films with Norris as Executive Producer including: HARRY BROWN, starring Michael Caine, Emily Mortimer and Plan B for Marv Films, Hanway Pictures and the UK Film Counci l Richard Linklaters ME AND ORSON WELLES starring Zac Efron and Clare Danes for CinemaNX HEARTLESS from acclaimed Director Philip Ridley, starring Jim Sturgess and Timothy Spall for Metro Films TRIANGLE, starring Melissa George for the UK Film Council At the end of 2009, Norris returned to the independent production world, and in 2010 launched Apollo Productions in partnership with Framestore and Pinewood Shepperton PLC, the UK's then 2 biggest film brands.
1997-2006 In 1997, the then incoming Blair Government appointed Norris as British Film Commissioner succeeding Sir Sydney Samuelson, a post he held for 9 years, overseeing the most significant growth in UK production ever seen, with more than $4 billion of international production into the UK during that period. Films he was directly involved with during his tenure included MISSION IMPOSSIBLE, TOMB RAIDER, HARRY POTTER AND THE PHILOPHERS STONE, THE MUMMY and CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY amongst many. He also led the development of the UK's film infrastructure during that period, including the expansion of its studio and VFX capabilities and the development of its highly skilled workforce. He was responsible for the development of the UK's international film strategy, including its co-production arrangements with countries throughout the world. Norris's achievements were recognized in the granting of a number of industry and governmental awards during his tenure.
1984-1997 In 1984 Norris returned to London as head of operations for Enigma Productions, then the UK's most prolific production house under the leadership of David (now Lord) Puttnam. Norris oversaw the company during the production of such multi-Oscar nominated films as THE KILLING FIELDS, DEFENCE OF THE REALM and THE MISSION, just 3 of the 12 films made during that prolific period, before returning to the US again as Vice President, Office of the Chairman for Columbia (now Sony) Pictures under the Chairmanship of Puttnam. In 1989, he returned again to London to reform Enigma with Puttnam as Managing Director, producing films such as the smash hit MEMPHIS BELLE, Istvan Szabo's MEETING VENUS with Glenn Close, BEING HUMAN starring Robin Williams and John Turturro, THE WAR OF THE BUTTONS (all for Warner Bros) and the Golden Globe winning THE BURNING SEASON for HBO Pictures. In 1994, Norris produced LE CONFESSIONAL with Kristen Scott-Thomas for Polygram, winning the Canadian Academy award for Best Film, and a year later, MY LIFE SO FAR starring Colin Firth and Malcolm McDowell for Miramax Films.
1977-1984 Norris joined the UK film industry in 1977, joined Warner Bros London in 1979 and in 1982, moved to Warner Bros in Burbank California, working in the then legendary production department of the studio.
In addition, Norris has taken an active role in the film industry throughout his career, and has served in the following roles: Full Council member, British Screen Advisory Council Full Council member, British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) Co-opted board member, BAFTA Film Committee Vice Chairman and Council member PACT (Producers Alliance for Film and Television - (UK lead producers organization) Member, British Council Film and Television Committee Vice Chairman, Department for Culture Media and Sport/UK Film Council Co-production Committee Member, Management Committee, Masters in Business Administration (Film), Cass Business School Board member, UK Screen Chairman, UK Screen (Leading trade body for the UK's production facility sector) Norris is also an honorary member of the BKSTS (The British Kinematograph, Sound and Television Society, the UK's leading technical association) and an honorary member of the Production Guild of Great Britain (The UK's leading Guild for Media Production Executives) and the recipient of its Merit Award for Outstanding Services to the Film Industry He has also been recognized as a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts and a full member of MENSA. Outside of the industry, he has a passion for family, cinema, rugby (and is a qualified coach), golf and Tottenham Hotspur FC.
2010-2018 Prior to that, Norris produced PATIENT ZERO with Matt Smith, Natalie Dormer and Stanley Tucci for Sony Pictures, which had its US theatrical release in late 2018. Between 2012 and 2018, he acted as a consultant for Double Negative (part of the Prime Focus group of Companies), Europe's largest and most distinguished visual effects company and the winner of consecutive Academy Awards for their work on Christopher Nolan's INTERSTELLAR and Alex Garland's EX MACHINA during his tenure. He also consulted for a number of other key industry clients including global film brands such as Aardman Animation and HAS appeared as an expert witness in several major litigation cases relating to film production and finance. From 2010 until 2016, Norris also served as Executive Producer for Pinewood Films, the film production arm of Pinewood Studios, which he created in 2010. During that time, he was Producer on films including: KILL YOUR FRIENDS, starring Nicholas Hoult and James Cordon and based on John Niven's seminal novel, Lone Sherfig's THE RIOT CLUB (based on the award-winning play POSH) for Pinewood Films, Film 4 and the BFI, starring Sam Claflin, Max Irons and Holiday Grainger OUR ROBOT OVERLORDS, starring Sir Ben Kingsley and Gillian Anderson for Pinewood, Embankment Films and the BFI. Omid Nooshin's LAST PASSENGER with Dougray Scott for Pathe, the BFI, Future Films and Pinewood Films Amma Assante's BELLE for Bankside, the BFI, Pinewood Films and CinemaNX, and starring Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Tom Wilkinson, Emily Watson, Matthew Goode and Miranda Richardson DOM HEMINGWAY, starring Jude Law and Richard E Grant for Hanway, The Recorded Picture Company, CinemaNX and Pinewood Films POWDER ROOM, starring Sheridan Smith and Jamie Winston for DJ Films, Pinewood Films and Universal Pictures A FANTASTIC FEAR OF EVERYTHING, starring Simon Pegg for Universal Pictures and The Works International
2006-2009 In 2006, Sir William Sargent appointed Norris as Managing Director Film for Framestore, at that time Europe's biggest visual effects company. During Norris's tenure, Framestore won its first Academy Award for its ground-breaking work on THE GOLDEN COMPASS and was further nominated for the "Oscar" VFX award in each of the years Norris was MD (for SUPERMAN and THE DARK KNIGHT). At the same time, Norris also oversaw its expansion into production through the development of Framestore Features, which co-produced several films with Norris as Executive Producer including: HARRY BROWN, starring Michael Caine, Emily Mortimer and Plan B for Marv Films, Hanway Pictures and the UK Film Counci l Richard Linklaters ME AND ORSON WELLES starring Zac Efron and Clare Danes for CinemaNX HEARTLESS from acclaimed Director Philip Ridley, starring Jim Sturgess and Timothy Spall for Metro Films TRIANGLE, starring Melissa George for the UK Film Council At the end of 2009, Norris returned to the independent production world, and in 2010 launched Apollo Productions in partnership with Framestore and Pinewood Shepperton PLC, the UK's then 2 biggest film brands.
1997-2006 In 1997, the then incoming Blair Government appointed Norris as British Film Commissioner succeeding Sir Sydney Samuelson, a post he held for 9 years, overseeing the most significant growth in UK production ever seen, with more than $4 billion of international production into the UK during that period. Films he was directly involved with during his tenure included MISSION IMPOSSIBLE, TOMB RAIDER, HARRY POTTER AND THE PHILOPHERS STONE, THE MUMMY and CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY amongst many. He also led the development of the UK's film infrastructure during that period, including the expansion of its studio and VFX capabilities and the development of its highly skilled workforce. He was responsible for the development of the UK's international film strategy, including its co-production arrangements with countries throughout the world. Norris's achievements were recognized in the granting of a number of industry and governmental awards during his tenure.
1984-1997 In 1984 Norris returned to London as head of operations for Enigma Productions, then the UK's most prolific production house under the leadership of David (now Lord) Puttnam. Norris oversaw the company during the production of such multi-Oscar nominated films as THE KILLING FIELDS, DEFENCE OF THE REALM and THE MISSION, just 3 of the 12 films made during that prolific period, before returning to the US again as Vice President, Office of the Chairman for Columbia (now Sony) Pictures under the Chairmanship of Puttnam. In 1989, he returned again to London to reform Enigma with Puttnam as Managing Director, producing films such as the smash hit MEMPHIS BELLE, Istvan Szabo's MEETING VENUS with Glenn Close, BEING HUMAN starring Robin Williams and John Turturro, THE WAR OF THE BUTTONS (all for Warner Bros) and the Golden Globe winning THE BURNING SEASON for HBO Pictures. In 1994, Norris produced LE CONFESSIONAL with Kristen Scott-Thomas for Polygram, winning the Canadian Academy award for Best Film, and a year later, MY LIFE SO FAR starring Colin Firth and Malcolm McDowell for Miramax Films.
1977-1984 Norris joined the UK film industry in 1977, joined Warner Bros London in 1979 and in 1982, moved to Warner Bros in Burbank California, working in the then legendary production department of the studio.
In addition, Norris has taken an active role in the film industry throughout his career, and has served in the following roles: Full Council member, British Screen Advisory Council Full Council member, British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) Co-opted board member, BAFTA Film Committee Vice Chairman and Council member PACT (Producers Alliance for Film and Television - (UK lead producers organization) Member, British Council Film and Television Committee Vice Chairman, Department for Culture Media and Sport/UK Film Council Co-production Committee Member, Management Committee, Masters in Business Administration (Film), Cass Business School Board member, UK Screen Chairman, UK Screen (Leading trade body for the UK's production facility sector) Norris is also an honorary member of the BKSTS (The British Kinematograph, Sound and Television Society, the UK's leading technical association) and an honorary member of the Production Guild of Great Britain (The UK's leading Guild for Media Production Executives) and the recipient of its Merit Award for Outstanding Services to the Film Industry He has also been recognized as a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts and a full member of MENSA. Outside of the industry, he has a passion for family, cinema, rugby (and is a qualified coach), golf and Tottenham Hotspur FC.