Award winning Scottish film-maker, producer/director, entrepreneur, musician and "TV geek"

Frank McGowan - Official Website & Blog

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IMAGE CREDIT: Kenneth Wade Photography.

 

Biography:

Perhaps best known as drummer for Scottish female fronted rock band 'Eric and the Bunny Boilers', Frank is a regular contributor to TV, radio and local news programmes, as CEO for Glasgow based film and TV production company 'Bad Pony Media', (founded originally as "Bad Pony Productions" in 2008). Having produced more than 300+ hours of short film, music video and television - including comedy, factual entertainment, series drama, documentary and children's programming - he is celebrated globally for his contribution to local community and the wider Scottish creative industry, as both an Ernst & Young Future 100 Award Winner (2012), and finalist in the Scottish Sun Variety Awards (2011). 

Making front page news in October 2017 after a professional hiatus, Frank shared his fight for justice and a two year court battle following a vicious attack by a female perpetrator, hoping to raise awareness of male victims of rape and PTSD. 

Returning to projects in 2019, he is co-founder of new Scottish TV channel Braw TV - with projects currently in pre-production, including hotly-tipped series drama 'Ninety Eight Percent', feature film 'Evening of the Dead', and documentary film 'Our Munster Memories' seeing him make an historic film and TV pilgrimage to Hollywood to meet the cast and crew of spooky TV sitcom "The Munsters" - his favourite incarnation being late 80's revival "The Munsters Today".

Frank is also set to present his own 'Hollywood Insights' podcast series later in the year, with special guests from both the US and Scotland sharing their stories of behind the scenes in the industry. He is also currently working on his first novel, 'October Storm' - a book about "life, love, friendship", and "growing up gay in Glasgow".

Early Life, School Years and "the piano accident":

Francis Mark Courtney McGowan was born March 23rd 1981 at Stobhill Hospital in Glasgow, to parents Eileen Patricia Courtney and Patrick McGowan. Attending St Philomenas Primary School in Provanmill, St Rochs Secondary School in Royston, and later Turnbull High School in Bishopbriggs - he was described as a "fun-loving", "imaginative" and "enthusiastic young man" by teachers.


His journey into the creative industries began aged eight years old, when following an accident at home which left him paralysed - he was unable to play or go outside, seeing his mother wheel in the big TV from the front room, where a passionate exploration of the behind-the-scenes of film and TV began, inspiring young Francis to make his own home movies - typically about the people and things he saw around him, with friends, family and even pets in starring roles!  


As his recovery began, more ambitious projects were set to follow - including a number of low-budget short films made using Power Rangers action figures, and miniature sets built from cereal boxes. A hard-hitting anti-drugs film (and accompanying magazine) were also produced with help from friends from school, with matte paintings on glass to achieve impressive "special effects".

Growing Up Gay in Glasgow:

Following the death of his Mum at Christmas in 1994, and his Father's decline into alcoholism, being bullied at school for being assumed "gay" added to upset and uncertainty at home while preparing for college, with sofa surfing and sleeping on the streets and in bus stops distracting from any creative projects for a time, until 1997 - when taking a stand against his Father with the help of his best friend Michelle, he took on the role of being main caregiver for his older brother, who had special needs. Juggling their caring commitments, an emerging music career, and an education - the duo studied at college together, majoring in Creative Industries for Television, before completing a further three year degree in Film and Media, which led to work experience at BBC Scotland, STV and local radio station Bolt FM, where he met the likes of Rik Mayall, Hugh Reed and Ted McKenna, who became his creative mentor.

'Eric and the Bunny Boilers' Music Career:

'Eric and the Bunny Boilers' enjoyed their first demonstrable hit with the release of their 'Heard You Say' EP in 2005, which reached no1 in the BT Broadband New Music Chart. Performances at some of the UK's best festivals and venues followed - including a live performance at T In The Park, and invitation to support the likes of Spandau Ballet, Blondie and US punk band Vanilla Fudge. 

With a career in the music industry now taking off, Frank became a regular contributor to local radio stations and daytime TV talk shows, including most notably the likes of panel show 'Trial By Night', and Channel 5's 'Open House with Gloria Hunniford Show' where he met celebrities, including soap-star Adam Rickett, former Boyzone member Stephen Gately, and actress Jenny Seagrove. 

'Eric and the Bunny Boilers' new studio album 'The Ex Files' is out now, with an accompanying limited edition release of the groups' King Tuts Live Sessions EP, recorded in 2008, featuring tracks "The Psychopath Next Door" and "Autopsy". All tracks are available on Spotify.

Front Page News, PTSD and Mental Health:

Frank recently made local, national and international headlines, following an event focusing on mental health and PTSD in Glasgow, hosted by Bad Pony Media - where he spoke candidly about his own experiences with mental illness, and a serious sexual assault at the hands of a female perpetrator back in 2015, which saw his career enter a semi-permanent hiatus, as a two and a half year court battle for justice began.

Since going public with the case, Frank has received thousands of supportive messages from people all over the world - and aims via his work as a film-maker and in the media, to bring a greater understanding to issues surrounding Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and victims of male rape and sexual assault.

Frank currently speaks at mental health events across the UK, and shares regular video updates via his professional film-maker page on Facebook.

Current Projects:

Frank announced his return to the helm of projects at Bad Pony Media Productions at a press event in Glasgow on 3rd February 2019, with several new projects - including a community initiative to help local homegrown talent, and opportunities for those looking for support, or sign-posting to a career within film and TV industry in Scotland. Sign up to the mailing list for news and updates, or follow Frank on Twitter @glasgowfranko81. 

IMAGES CREDITS:  (left to right) The Scottish Sun Variety Awards 2012/Bad Pony Media, Geo Wright/Eric and the Bunny Boilers and Karen Gordon Photography. 

Follow Frank on Twitter, join him on Facebook and Instagram for “behind the scenes” information on projects, or subscribe to updates via the site for news and blog posts.