Thomas Napper marks his narrative feature debut as a director with JAWBONE, after working as a 2nd Unit director with Joe Wright for the past 12 years. This visceral and hard-hitting character portrait follows Jimmy McCabe, a former junior ABA boxing champion who is running out of options. The film was written by and stars Johnny Harris, with a supporting cast that includes Ray Winstone, Michael Smiley, and Ian McShane. Produced by Mike Elliot at Emu Films, Nichola Martin at BBC Films, and Richard Holmes/Celine Hadad at Creative England.
Before JAWBONE, Thomas directed the award-winning feature documentary LOST ANGELS: SKID ROW IS MY HOME, produced by Agi Orsi and funded by Paramount/Participant. This powerful and uplifting story of redemption documents the lives of eight men and women who live on the darkest and most dangerous streets of Los Angeles.
The documentary received critical acclaim, with Andrew Barker of Variety praising its "expertly made" and "shot through with an undercurrent of righteous anger" storytelling. Linda Milazzo of The Huffington Post described it as "an astonishing no-holds-barred truth-fest; drenched in character, dipped in honesty, and steeped in heart."
Thomas also directed 2nd unit for Bill Condon on BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, which received rave reviews and became the biggest PG opening in history. In addition to his work in film, he has shot commercials for clients such as Chanel, Sky Atlantic, and BT Infinity.
Thomas is currently directing the 2nd Unit on MARY POPPINS RETURNS for Walt Disney, directed by Rob Marshall, and has worked with him previously on INTO THE WOODS. He is also wrapping up his work as 2nd unit director on DARKEST HOUR, starring Gary Oldman as Winston Churchill, which will be released in December 2017.
Thomas was one of the co-founders of the Lomography project in the UK and has held various creative positions, including Creative Director & Curator of exhibitions at The Hayward Gallery and the V&A Contemporary Gallery. He and Fabian Monheim wrote and designed the book DON'T THINK, JUST SHOOT, which defined LOMO and its loyal fans. Thomas and Fabian were made Artists in Residence for The City of London in 2003.
