curriculum vitae

Darren Jonusas ASE

...has worked in television and films for over 30 years:

8 years full-time at the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, 2 years full-time & free-lance in London, 2 more years full-time at the ABC and over 20 years back freelance in London.

Most of Darren's experience lies in science, history, drama and comedy. Many of his films have won Australian and international awards - see below. He has also been honoured with Accreditation by the Australian Screen Editors Guild.

At the Television Show in London, Darren presented workshops on editing. He’s run training & support for Avid in England and Europe. At the ABC, he’s trained drama & doco editors and supervised courses at The National Film and Television School at Pinewood.

Darren has been on the jury to decide the BAFTA award for "Best Editing in a Factual Programme". He judges editing awards for the Australian Screen Editors Guild. He’s researched and directed location shooting for BBC Science.

Familiar with Avid since it first came to England in 1991, Darren has also used Final Cut Pro 7 since 2006 and FCPX. Some of his credits in the UK and Australia include:

THE HISTORY CHANNEL: ANCIENT EMPIRES: ALEXANDER THE GREAT, JULIUS CAESAR

Julius Caesar, Alexander the Great and Cleopatra are brought to life in the latest History Channel mega docu-drama Ancient Empires. This series sheds new light on the way that history remembers the three titans of the ages. 2 of 3 x 2.5 hour series by Ample Entertainment for The History Channel.

NETFLIX: MYSTERIES OF THE FAITH
‘The relics of the Passion of Christ are at the centre of the church’s life.’  This series explores the power and the secrets of the most precious and influential objects in history. From The Holy Grail to the Crown of Thorns and The True Cross, the astonishing journey through time of these relics is now revealed. 1 of 4 x 1 hour doc directed by Robin Dashwood, October Films for Netflix.

BBC1: DINOSAURS: THE FINAL DAY. WITH DAVID ATTENBOROUGH
This film brilliantly combines cutting-edge CGI with the very latest science to depict what happened on the day of the asteroid strike. Attenborough examines fossil finds with leading experts and follows a dig team to reveal ancient secrets invisible to the naked eye. 90 doc directed by Matthew Thompson.

NETFLIX: OUR UNIVERSE: WATERWORLD, FORCE OF ATTRACTION
This series reveals the incredible connections between wildlife on our planet and the ingredients that the Cosmos brought to Earth that makes that life possible. In Waterworld we follow Metsi, a young elephant calf, on her first journey across the Kalahari desert to find precious water. But it’s also the story of waters’ 4.5 billion year journey across the Universe to the dry primordial earth.  And in Force of Attraction, gravity sets the stage for life and steers two King Penguins towards love. 2 of 6 x 1 hour doc directed by Naomi Austin, BBC Studios for Netflix.

DISNEY+ THE WORLD ACCORDING TO JEFF GOLDBLUM: BBQ & JEWELRY
To Goldblum’s inquisitive mind, nothing is as it seems. Jeff unravels a wonderful world of astonishing connections, fascinating science and history. 2 of 12 x 30 min drama doc series directed by Nic Stacy & Karen McGann for Nutopia. Critics Choice Award for Best Structured Series. Emmy nomination Outstanding Hosted Non Fiction Series.

BBC2: BLACK AND BRITISH: A FORGOTTEN HISTORY

Few places have had a greater impact upon Britain than Africa and her peoples. David Olusoga joins forces with people all over Britain and its former colonies to reveal the full extent of this history. Nominated for 2 RTS awards. 2 of 4 x 1 hour history series directed by James van der Pool.

BBC1: FORCES OF NATURE

Prof Brian Cox takes us on a grand tour of Earth to explain what lies behind its startling beauty and unveils the forces that make our planet. 2 of 4 x 1 hour series directed by Matt Dyas.

BBC2: EXPEDITION VOLCANO

An international science mission to one of the world’s most dangerous, spectacular and least known volcanoes on Earth: Nyiragongo. The team descend into the crater and carry out experiments to reveal what goes on beneath the Earth’s crust. 1 hour documentary, directed by Simon Winchcombe.

ROLEX & NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC: PERPETUAL PLANET

Our ocean, that seemingly infinitely bountiful, awe-inspiring blue that defines this planet from space, is in crisis. There is no time to waste and thanks to an extraordinary team of scientists, there is hope. Feature doc directed by Naomi Austin by BBC Studios.

DISCOVERY+: IF I CAN’T HAVE YOU: THE JODI ARIAS STORY

Jodi Arias: a household name. This film grants viewers access to Arias’ personal diaries, unseen police interviews and exclusive testimony, and interviews with the defense, prosecution, and friends and family of those connected to the case. 2 hour drama doc by Arrow Media, directed by Chris Holt.

CH4: JUNGLE MYSTERY: LOST KINGDOMS OF THE AMAZON

For centuries experts believed the Amazon was an untouched wilderness. Startling new discoveries are changing everything we knew about one of the world’s wildest regions. 1 of 3 x 1 hour doc series produced by Paul King and Wild Blue Media.

FOX & ITV: INSIDE THE MANSON CULT: THE LOST TAPES

Never before seen footage reveals a unique insight into the minds of the murderous Manson Family: the most notorious cult in modern America. 2 hour drama doc by Naked Entertainment, directed by Hugh Ballantyne.

PBS INTERNATIONAL & CH4: I, SNIPER

A nail-biting journey through the sniper shootings that paralysed the Washington Beltway and traumatised an entire nation in October 2002.  For more than three weeks anonymous gunmen shot civilians at random as the country watched, horrified. 2 of 6 x 1 hour drama doc series by Arrow Media, directed by Janice Sutherland and Ursula Macfarlane.

THE HISTORY CHANNEL: JESUS: HIS LIFE

This 8-part series explores the story of Jesus through a unique lens: the people in his life who played a pivotal role in his life - Joseph, John the Baptist, Mary the mother of Jesus, the High Priest Caiaphas, Judas Iscariot, Pontius Pilate, Mary Magdalene and Peter. 10 weeks drama assembling on location + 1 of 8 x 1 hour drama doc series by Nutopia.

BBC2: BLITZ: THE BOMBS THAT CHANGED BRITAIN

The butterfly effect of one bomb - from initial impact right through to the wider consequences for modern Britain - is tracked, unveiling a complex chain reaction of personal, social and national stories. Nominated for a BAFTA award. 1 of 4 x 1 hour history series by Wall to Wall, directed by Ben Crichton.

BBC2 : THE DAY THE DINOSAURS DIED

66 million years ago, the world was alive with dinosaurs. Then, in a moment, they disappeared. A remarkable expedition drills into an ancient undersea meteor crater to uncover the secret of what killed these mighty creatures. 1 hour science documentary directed by Nick Green.

BBC2: WONDERS OF THE SOLAR SYSTEM: EMPIRE OF THE SUN

1 of 5 x 60 min science series presented by Prof Brian Cox, directed by Gideon Bradshaw. Winner of 2 RTS awards, Peabody, NY Film Festival Gold Medal, BANFF & 2 Broadcasting Press Guild. Nominated for Grierson & 4 BAFTA awards, including ‘Best Editing’.

BBC2: BRITAIN’S FORGOTTEN SLAVE OWNERS

The story of how slave money seeped into the lifeblood of Britain. 1 of 2 x 1 hour history series presented by David Olusoga, directed by James van der Pool. Winner of the BAFTA award for Best Specialist Factual & nominated for Best Presenter. Also nominated for 2 Grierson and 2 RTS.

BBC1: INSIDE THE HUMAN BODY

How senses, nerves, & brain combine to build the ultimate life on Earth: you. 2 of 4 x 60min science series, directed by Gideon Bradshaw & Annabel Gillings. RTS nomination.

BBC2: WONDERS OF LIFE: ENDLESS FORMS MOST BEAUTIFUL

Prof Brian Cox discovers how a few fundamental laws formed the most complex force in the universe – life. 1 of 5 x 1 hour science series, directed by Gideon Bradshaw.

BBC2 & PBS: COUNTDOWN TO LIFE: THE EXTRAORDINARY MAKING OF YOU

The most perilous time in the womb, when everything hangs in the balance. 1 of 3 x 60min since series. Presented by Michael Mosely & directed by Naomi Austin.

BBC2 & DISCOVERY: HUMAN UNIVERSE: APEMAN/SPACEMAN & WHAT IS OUR FUTURE?

What drove our ascent from ape to man, and to the stars? 2 of 5 x 1 hour science series presented by Prof Brian Cox, directed by Stephen cooter and Nat Sharman.

BBC1: THE TREASURE HUNTERS

Dallas Campbell & Ellie Harrison seek out the diverse stories behind our greatest riches. 1 of 2 x 1 hour documentary series, produced & directed by Sophie Todd.

Channel 4, CBC & PBS: THE HUNT FOR THE ARCTIC GHOST SHIP

In 1845 an expedition set out for the Arctic - but they vanished. Now: the biggest ever search for the wrecks. 1 hour history documentary directed by Ben Finney for Lion TV.

BBC2: ORIGINS OF US: BONES & BRAINS

The clues to our evolution lie hidden in our bodies. 2 of 3 x 60min science series, directed by Dave Stewart & Paul Olding.

BBC2: WONDERS OF THE UNIVERSE: FALLING & MESSENGERS

Our Universe contains unimaginable wonders. 2 of 4 x 60 min science series presented by Prof Brian Cox, directed by Chris Holt. Shortlisted for “Best Editing” BAFTA & nominated for Best Documentary Series.

HISTORY CHANNEL: AMERICA: THE STORY OF US

How America was invented, looking at the crucial moments when technology overcame the environment, directed by Dan Clifton. Primetime Emmy award & 6 nominations.

BBC2: SEVEN INDUSTRIAL WONDERS - THE GREAT SHIP

1 of 7 x 50' drama/doc series, Brunel's greatest challenge. Director Chris Spencer. Short-listed for six BAFTAs, including Best Editing, & nominated for Best Documentary Series. Also nominated for two Grierson and RTS award.

BBC2: EDGE OF LIFE

3 x 50' observational doc series, medical ethical dilemmas, producers Page Shepherd, Sophie Robinson & James van der Pool. Shortlisted for Best Editing BAFTA nominated for Grierson.

BBC2: THE SIX BILLION DOLLAR EXPERIMENT

60' science doc for Horizon, directed by James van der Pool, nominated for RTS Best Editing. 

BBC1: GELDOF IN AFRICA

6 x 30' doc series, directed by John Maguire.

BBC1: THE HUMAN BODY - THE END OF LIFE

1 of 7 x 50' landmark doc series with Prof Robert Winston, the moment of death, director Chris Spencer. BAFTA, RTS & San Francisco Film Festival awards.

BBC1: SPACE - WITH SAM NEILL

3 of 6 x 30' series, presented by Sam Neill, director Jeremy Turner. RTS award.

NVC ARTS / ARTE / BBC: RICHARD II

2 hour drama stars Fiona Shaw, director Deborah Warner, producer John Wyver for Illuminations. Rocky award at BANFF.

BBC2 / NVC / ABC / PBS: AUSTRALIA: BEYOND THE FATAL SHORE

4 of 6 x 50' docs, art critic/author Robert Hughes returns home, directors Chris Spencer, Phil Smith & Richard Curzon Smith for Oxford Films. RTS award.

CH4: THE 1900 HOUSE

4 of 8 x 30' series, modern family live as Victorians, director Caroline Ross-Pirie for Wall to Wall. Indy award.

ITV NETWORK FIRST/ PBS NOVA: THREE MEN AND A BALLOON

50' doc, Richard Branson attempts to fly around the world by balloon, director Garfield Kennedy.

CH4 / THE TATE GALLERY: THE 1996 TURNER PRIZE & THE 1998 TURNER PRIZE

4 x short films on artists & 40 min doc, director Terry Braun, producer Linda Zuck for Illuminations.

BBC2: LIFE AFTER BANDAID TENTH ANNIVERSARY - ETHIOPIA

10 x short films on Ethiopia.

BBC2 HORIZON SPECIAL: THE TRUTH ABOUT SEX

50' science doc, landmark sex survey, director Celia Lowenstein, producer Max Whitby.

ABC: HEARTLAND 2 eps of 13 x 50' drama miniseries starring Cate Blanchett. AFI & Australian Human Rights Award.

ABC: GP 8 x 50' eps of drama serial.

ABC: THE MONEY OR THE GUN: SERIES 1 & 2 23 x 45' comedy. Won 3 AFI Awards and UN Media Peace Prize.

ABC: ELTON JOHN "TOUR DE FORCE" DOCUMENTARY 60' music doc shortlisted for 1987 Cannes award.

ABC: THE DINGO PRINCIPLE 10 x 30' weekly sketch comedy / political satire.