In regular correspondence with many former pupils:

2019 – present, LAMDA, Visiting Sessional in Performance for the Edit
LAMDA is the only conservatoire in the world that studies screen performance from the perspective of the edit

Aug – Nov 2023, NFTS, Visiting Tutor / Offline editor
Cutting the first ever Virtual production multicam, for MA Directing and Producing Television students

2017-19, Forces Media Academy, Associate Lecturer in Post Production
An intensive LIBOR funded one-year media course for service leavers. 85% of graduates went straight into full-time or freelance employment across Warner Bros., Pinewood Studios, The Royal British Legion, The Farm, BFBS, and The Edinburgh Television Festival

YouTube Tutorials, and increasingly now AI, cover the buttons to press – but this is often incidental to a career. I divided modules into:
– Creative skillsets (working introspectively verses mindfulness of the zeitgeist; the social politics of cultural competency)
– Technical skillsets (familiarity with professional workflow; trading as a ‘common generalist’ verses a ‘resourceful specialist’)
– Managerial skillsets (active listening; finding value-aligned responses under pressure – whilst also pushing the envelope!)

I strived to make the student experience magical and empowering; from arranging twenty-four-hour challenges pitching and delivering concepts to clients large and small, to arranging a masterclass with Jan Harlan at Elstree Studios – where he produced The Shining

2015-18, Bucks New University, Visiting Lecturer in Editing to BA Film Production, and from 2017-18, additionally in Compositing to BA VFX

A County at War – Life on the Home Front in Hertfordshire is a documentary commissioned by the Lord-Lieutenancy at the Queen’s request for every county to mark the centenary of World War 1, written and directed by Howard Guard DL. The film comprised of stories from local Hertfordshires, told through animated photographs. Rock Paper Scissors NY colourgraded, Warner Brothers De Lane Lea sound mixed, Elstree Studios provided motion graphics.

After its premiere at The Rex cinema, Berkhamstead, 1800 copies were distributed to schools and museums. Howard was made an Honourary Doctorate by the University of Hertfordshire, and awarded an MBE.

Four years later, to commemorate the armistice, the Lord-Lieutenant commissioned a continuation to the story, following the Hertfordshire Regiment across the Channel to St. Julien, Ypres. James’ students from the Forces Media Academy – service leavers and veterans training for a career in the media – crewed the additional interviews. The film was mixed by Adam and Graham Daniel at Point1Post, Elstree. Thousands of DVDs were distributed to schools, clubs, and museums throughout Hertfordshire – raising tens of thousands for charity.

In recognition of this, James attended the Queen’s Garden Party at Buckingham Palace, in May 2019.

‘James was great to work with’
Anshu Ahuja, Series Producer First Dates

‘James, you are a star!!! IT IS BRILLIANT!’
Ella Street, Unilever

‘That was quick!… You are brilliant!’
Donna Coulling, PA to Helena Bonham Carter

‘I admired your calm efficiency and good humour throughout those long sessions in the bunker’
The Countess of Verulam, Lord Lieutenant of Hertfordshire

‘It is evident Mr Dingle is very passionate about his job and his forward-thinking approach is commendable’
10 Downing Street

‘James has worked with our acting students several times, coaching them alongside him in the edit suite. He has fully grasped the pedagogical basis of the project and each time turned in a brilliant cut which makes the most of the students’ rushes, demonstrating the “magic of editing”, and pulling together the ideas of the group as well as his own in a collaborative way. His invaluable feedback at the screenings has always been succinct and insightful and the students have had nothing but good things to say about working with James for a short time. They learn a lot, enjoy themselves immensely and have often been inspired to continue making films in the future.’
Jack Thrush, Screen and Audio Technician, LAMDA

‘Well-plotted… and consistently intriguing’
Empire Magazine on London Unplugged

★ ★ ★ ★ ‘especially distinctive’
The Times on London Unplugged

★ ★ ★ ★
Amazon Prime on How You Look At Me

★ ★ ★ ★ ‘Beautifully Chaotic’
IndyRED on Melody

★ ★ ★ ★ ‘visually intoxicating’
UK Film Review on Melody