Steve Read

Steve started out as launch art director for one of the most successful ever UK men’s publications - loaded Magazine, witnessing it’s meteoric rise from 50k to over one million monthly sales, the design of the magazine was often heralded at the time, as one of the world’s most influential and innovative, along with US title Raygun. Eventually, Steve would not only design loaded but shoot images for it, as well as dealing with locations for shoots and with the talent. loaded went on to receive every major publishing award and accolade. His work at loaded would lead to a promotion to Group Art Director at IPC Media, launching Eat Soup and Later Magazine as well as redesigning many others for Britain's biggest publishing house. Having somewhat surprisingly been a loaded fan, Tina Brown, most notably Vanity Fair’s editor, approached Steve to art direct her new launch Talk Magazine, published by Hearst in NYC, the magazine was arguably the most high profile launch the world of magazine publishing had ever witnessed. The launch party, held at The Statue Of Liberty, was widely coveted and notably attended by Robert De Niro and Robert Kennedy Jnr… An invite not to be turned down. So Steve moved to Hollywood, where he lived and worked for the magazine for three years, not however as Art Director as originally discussed but as staff photographer. On the masthead, his name sat alongside David Bailey and Patrick Demarchelier. Unsurprisingly, Steve, whilst living in Hollywood, began to explore his love for filmmaking and began making short docu-style films. Meanwhile, for Talk Magazine, Steve rubbed shoulders with Hollywood A-listers on a regular basis, he became adept at chatting with the likes of Steve Martin and Kim Basinger. His work also featured in Q Magazine, shooting rap and rock royalty e.g. Eminem, Brian Johnson and Neil Young and touring with Cypress Hill and REM, other UK publications included Radio Times and The Mail on Sunday. He soon grew to know the world of celebrity very well, something that would come in useful for the film directing career that would follow. AC DC frontman and all-round top Geordie Brian Johnson. Returning to the UK he returned to the publishing world to take on the role of Creative Director on Dennis Publishing’s JACK Magazine, where again he redesigned the magazine, handled shoot locations, dealt with the talent and with the photographers. After a brief role at Condé Nast, Steve helped launch innovative new golf title Golf Punk, again as Creative Director, shooting fashion and cover stars and where he received a further Designer of the Year award. He would also handle the marketing and organisation of the events side of the company. His next move was to go freelance as photographer and brand film director, working with major brands such as Tommy Hilfiger, Lyle & Scott, Ferrari, Musto, Cartier, Pringle and Audi. Steve also made his move into documentary filmmaking most notably with the engaging and highly applauded film on electronic music pioneer and innovator Gary Numan. Gary Numan: Android in La La Land, co-directed by Steve’s filmmaking partner Rob Alexander, enjoyed an international cinematic release having first premiered at SXSW in Austin Texas, enjoying some very positive reviews, it then aired in the UK on the BBC. **** The Guardian **** Total Film **** The Times **** The Express “Numan is winningly candid and guilelessly charming” - Variety “A film that reminds me to smile” - The Huffington Post This was the duo’s second feature doc, the first being Knockout Scousers, filmed and directed by Steve, again produced by Rob Alexander and also by Robert Douglas, whose connections with the key talent in today’s boxing world have proven pivotal in their current film In the Company of Kings. Knockout Scousers was filmed over four years following five amateur boxers on the road to the 2012 London Olympics and featured the first ever female boxer to make the Olympics in Natasha Jonas, along with a relatively unknown but now household name in Anthony Joshua. The film was commissioned by Channel Four in the run up to the Olympics and without wanting to blow too many trumpets, once again received some very pleasing reviews. **** Time Out “A poetic 21st Century documentary… This is how you do the Olympics” - Grazia “So engaging, you’ll want to take the punches for them” - Mail on Sunday As well as filming and directing his own films, Steve has impressive Director of Photography credentials. His work as DOP for the BBC includes The Summer of Love: How Hippies Changed the World, a two part documentary for BBC4; Elvis: the Rebirth of the King; Showbands: How Ireland learned to Party with Ardal O’Hanlon; and the much talked about current affairs series Is This Sexual Harassment and Is This Coercive Control. His DOP work is very much an ongoing commitment and work that he relishes. His recent commercial work includes a worldwide campaign for Ben Sherman featuring indie music icon Miles Kane. Wrapped around all this, is Steve’s work on his third documentary offering, In the Company of Kings, a film nearing final stages of post production. Half-blinded in a racial attack, In the Company of Kings follows a fight fan’s unforgettable journey into the dark heart of American boxing to talk to eight former world champions and those closest to his hero Muhammad Ali about race, struggle, victory, defeat and, ultimately, picking yourself up off the canvas. We discover what it is that drives them from the ghettos and mean streets of Underbelly USA to the biggest stage in sport. Radio Times, having seen an early rough cut described the film as: “A beautiful and brutal film about the life-affirming need to get up every time you’re down and keep fighting” In short, Steve has a passion and drive second to none, a unique vision, a diverse skill set and an incredible thirst for new challenges.