Professional video storytelling secrets you need to know

Paul Durgan, a TV prodcuer with 30 years experience of documentary, news and factual entertainment

Thirty years of TV storytelling experience shared with you; secrets and practical tips you can put to work straight away. Whether you’re starting out in TV, looking to upskill in scripting and the edit, creating YouTube videos, or producing branded content, this channel shows how professionals think about story, structure, and audience engagement.

TV producer Paul Durgan with editor Lorraine Want in an edit crafting a story

Here you’ll find:

  • Insider tips and hacks on crafting stories that hold attention

  • Editing and scripting strategies to turn footage into compelling narratives

  • Interview and shooting techniques used in real productions

  • Professional insights from broadcast TV you can apply to your own projects

Two people working at a desk with multiple computer monitors, discussing video editing on the middle monitor. There are sticky notes on the whiteboard behind them and a glass of water on the desk.

Every video is designed to help you tell better stories, make stronger videos, and create content that truly connects — whether you’re in the edit suite, behind the camera, or building your own channel.

Subscribe and start applying professional storytelling secrets and tips,

SERIES ONE

Series one covers the essential building blocks of storytelling and production – from answering the seven questions every story needs, to getting your tone right, avoiding common shooting mistakes, and keeping your audience engaged from the first frame to the last

Subscribe here

Videos go live 25 August at 14:00 BST

Biography

A man with curly hair and glasses sits at a desk with a pen and red sticky notes, in an office with dual computer monitors and colorful sticky notes on the wall behind him.

Paul Durgan

I'm Paul Durgan, and I've spent 30 years making factual television—everything from news and current affairs to observational documentaries, lifestyle series, and branded content for broadcasters like the BBC, ITV, Channel 4, and streamers like Paramount+.

I've worked on shows like the BBC’s Surgeons: At the Edge of Life, Forensics: The Real CSI, Uncanny, and ITV’s Fighter Pilot: The Real Top Gun. Along the way, I've learned what works, and what doesn't, when it comes to finding stories, managing shoots, working with editors, and keeping audiences engaged.

I started as a journalist at a tabloid news agency and was part of the launch team for ITN's 5 News. That experience taught me to find the story fast, write tightly, and make every second count—principles I still use today.

The Story First channel is where I share everything I've learned—the practical skills, the hard-won lessons, and the mantras that have kept me working for three decades. Whether you're making documentaries, corporate videos, YouTube content, or anything in between, my aim is to help you tell better stories.

Hire Me

Whether you need hands-on production leadership, strategic creative input, or team development, I bring 30 years of real-world factual television experience to every project.

Series Editor

I’m an experienced team leader, used to working on new and existing series.

I am used to:

  • Working closely with production management on budget and schedule

  • Hiring a team

  • Managing access

  • Casting contributors

  • Planning a shoot

  • Overseeing filming

  • Checking rushes

  • Managing edits.

I enjoy working collaboratively and make early suggestions about the shape and tone of the finished film. I make sure I am contiually overseeing filming and the edits to make sure they are delivering what is required. I pride myself in making sure everyone feels valued as part of the team.

Television CV

Edit Director/Producer

I have 30 years experience of shaping story in edit suites.

I’ve worked across multiple genres from current affairs to lifestyle, formats, branded content and observational documentary.

Notable credits include:

  • Forensics: The Real CSI (Blast/BBC Two)

  • Uncanny (BBC Studios/BBC2)

  • Surgeons: At The Edge of Life (Dragonfly/BBC2)

  • Fighter Pilot: The Real Top Gun (Blakeway/ITV1)

  • Heathrow: Britain’s Busiest Airport (Raw/ITV1)

I’m experienced at finding story in high volume rushes, and using master interviews to support the footage in delivering key turns.

The Talent Manager

Training

In-house training tailored to your team's needs

Whether you're struggling with a specific production challenge, want to upskill your team, or need to establish consistent editorial standards, I like to design bespoke training sessions that address your specific needs.

It could cover:

  • Pre-production

  • Access management

  • Shooting for the edit

  • Edit structure and workflow

Training is hands-on, uses real examples from premium factual series, video news and branded content. It could be anything from 1 hour, to a full day or even a week’s training, depending on your needs

Content Creator CV

Consultancy

Strategic creative input when you need it

I can consult at any stage of production—from development through to delivery—providing an experienced editorial perspective from helping to find the story to navigating the practicialities.

Services include:

  • Stress testing development ideas for both story delivery and practicalities.

  • Pre-production planning and scripting

  • Access strategy and contributor planning

  • Rushes reviews and story identification

  • Rough cut reviews

Available as one-off sessions, project-based support, or monthly retainers.

LinkedIn

Let's Work Together

Email: paul@thestoryfirst.com