Nick Broomfield studied Law at Cardiff, and Political Science at Essex University. He then went on to study film at the National Film School, under Professor Colin Young. He made his first film, WHO CARES, about slum clearance in Liverpool, while at university, borrowing a wind-up Bolex camera and shooting it on short ends. Young had a great influence on Broomfield's work, encouraging patient observation, as well as introducing him to the lovely and talented Joan Churchill. Together, Joan and Nick made several films: JUVENILE LIAISON, TATTOOED TEARS, SOLDIER GIRLS, LILY TOMLIN, and AILEEN: LIFE AND DEATH OF A SERIAL KILLER. Nick was originally influenced by the observational style of Frederick Wiseman, Robert Leacock, and D.A. Pennebaker, before moving on largely by accident to the more idiosyncratic style for which he is better known. While making the hopelessly out of control DRIVING ME CRAZY in 1988, Nick decided to place himself and the producer in the story as a way of making sense of the event. This experiment led to a sense of greater freedom from the confines of observational cinema, and led to a more investigative and experimental type of filmmaking (THE LEADER, THE DRIVER, AILEEN WUORNOS, KURT & COURTNEY, BIGGIE AND TUPAC.) Broomfield is the recipient of numerous awards, including the Sundance Grand Jury Prize, British Academy Award, Prix Italia, Dupont Peabody Award, Grierson Award, Hague Peace Prize, and Amnesty International Doen Award.