Basil Gelpke studied social anthropology and economics before working for the European Business Channel TV network in 1987 as Paris and southeast Asia correspondent. After moving to Germany in 1990, he collaborated with various German TV broadcasters and made the documentary The Artificial Paradise. In Switzerland in 1993 he collaborated with the NZZ television channel on scientific enquiries; for his own production company, Lava Productions, he made the reality shows Expedition Robinson and Inselduell. Ray McCormack began working in television in 1989, producing and directing musical video clips in collaboration with the BBC and for such noted performers as Paul McCartney, Queen and Kylie Minogue. In 1996 he switched to producing commercials. Together with Basil Gelpke, he founded Lava Productions for which he is currently making Ballyfeckin' and The Midnight Killer.
