Robert Kilburn
Robert Kilburn was born in the 90s in Sunderland, Tyne and Wear. Attending Monkwearmouth Comprehensive School before moving onto Newcastle College he has always had a fascination with the strange and unique. Whilst taking some time off from education and travelling he came across the story of Seaburn Zoo. It was along the North East coast that Lions, Tigers and Dolphins were kept until an accident resulted in a 13 year old girl being mauled by a Lion. This story would set the wheels in motion for a trip down the rabbit hole uncovering forgotten and overlooked tales from the region.
"I Remember When" was the first documentary, focusing on Seaburn Zoo, directed by Robert which sparked an interest in documentary filmmaking. Since then he has directed numerous documentaries looking at subjects such as parkour, paranormal investigation, graffiti artists and the 90s rave scene. Winning numerous awards at international festivals for the projects his achievements include 3 North East Royal Television Society Awards for Non-Broadcast Factual Film-making for work produced whilst studying at the University of Sunderland.
Since then he has interviewed characters such as Jimmy Nail, Trevor Horn and Johnny Vegas as well as a whole host of North East characters. He has worked with VICE on their My Micrograp campaign, directed the "Making of" documentary for the Sunday for Sammy 20th Anniversary DVD and continues to produce important work for the region documenting its culture.
This has all culminated in the release of his first book Tyne and Weird. Folklore, urban legends, strange happenings and eccentric characters from history are all brought to life in this new book. Presented as a gazetteer, it is great for dipping into, but equally can be read from cover to cover. It will fascinate locals who thought they knew all about the area, and also visitors wanting to find the more quirky stories that the guide books rarely include. The author is the creator of the popular Tyne & Weird Facebook page, and has uncovered all sorts of strange happenings. Read on to find out something new about the wonderfully curious county of Tyne and Wear.
