Frank McGowan - Official Website

IMAGE CREDIT: Kenneth Wade Photography.

Biography:

Frank McGowan is a BAFTA celebrated film-maker, producer/director and creative entrepreneur, working across all genres of entertainment in Scotland - including comedy, factual, documentary and children's programming.

Having produced more than 300+ hours of award-wining short film, TV drama, comedy and music video, his journey began as a young boy growing up in North Glasgow, who following an accident at home aged 8 years old which left him paralysed, became fascinated with the horror genre. Unable to play or go outside for nearly two years - his mother wheeled in the big TV from the front room, and a passionate exploration of the behind-the-scenes of his favourite VHS titles and TV shows began, inspiring him to take steps towards making his own home movies, which were typically about the people and things he saw around him - with friends, family and even pets in starring roles.

Appearing professionally on both sides of the camera in later years, as a contributor to the likes of Channel 5's "Open House with Gloria Hunniford Show" and as a special guest on Channel 4, STV and BBC Radio Scotland with his rock band "Eric and the Bunny Boilers", he made his directorial debut on pilots produced to showcase new Scottish talent, with the birth of "Bad Pony Productions" in 2008, a company founded with best friend Michelle Martin.

Early Life and Growing Up in Glasgow:

Francis Mark Courtney McGowan was born on 23 March 1981 at Stobhill Hospital in Glasgow, to parents Eileen Patricia Courtney and Patrick McGowan.

Described as a "fun-loving", "imaginative" and "enthusiastic young man" by teachers - he attended St Philomenas Primary School, St Rochs Secondary School and later Turnbull High School in Bishopbriggs, but following the death of his Mum at Christmas and his Father's decline into alcoholism shortly after in 1994, being bullied for being assumed "gay" added to upset and uncertainty at home, seeing him throw himself into creative projects as he prepared for college. Sofa surfing with friends and sleeping on the streets did not distract him from getting into college, where he juggled his studies, a music career and family, looking after his older brother who had special needs.

More ambitious projects were set to follow - including a number of low budget shorts, made using action figures and miniature sets built from cereal boxes, and an anti-drugs film with matte paintings on glass to achieve impressive "special effects".

In the Spotlight:

Frank made headlines in October 2017, when he spoke out about a sexual assault at the hands of a female perpetrator. Since going public with his story, Frank has received a number of supportive messages from people from all over the world - and aims to use his status as a film-maker to bring a greater understanding to issues surrounding trauma, PTSD and mental health.

Current Film, TV and Creative Projects:

His current work includes the controversial 'Ninety Eight Percent' series, horror feature film 'Evening of the Dead' - where he makes his Hollywood debut as director/writer, and comedy 'Idiot's Guide to Becoming a Film Maker'. He is also set to direct 'Our Munster Memories', which will see the Scottish director/producer and his team make an historic film and TV pilgrimage to the US to meet the cast and crew of various incarnations of The Munsters, including its late 80's incarnation "The Munsters Today" which was popular with fans in the UK.

For updates on these, and other projects - please subscribe to news and updates via the main home page.

As well as a busy production schedule and touring with "Eric and the Bunny Boilers", Frank is set to present his own creative industry podcast series HOLLYWOOD INSIGHTS, launching in January 2019. He is also working on his first novel of a planned trilogy called OCTOBER STORM – a book about “life growing up gay in Glasgow”,

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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.

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