Paula Chowles

Executive Producer, Partner

Paula runs the video production department at Godfrey Dadich, spearheading production on everything from the Emmy-nominated Netflix documentary series Abstract: The Art of Design to narrative videos for companies such as National GeographicNikeLyft, and IBM

A native of South Africa, Paula started her career as a video journalist with the African continent’s largest independent cable news channel, eNCA. In 2013, she was promoted to Parliamentary Correspondent for eNCA in Cape Town, covering South Africa’s ever-evolving political landscape.

In 2015 she moved to San Francisco and started working as a video producer for AJ+, Al Jazeera Media Network’s social media news channel. She then moved to wired, where she became the publication’s executive producer, running a team of producers, videographers, and editors. She created both in-depth short documentaries and breakout hits such as wired’s viral smash Almost Impossible, which collectively has over 25 million views. Within two years she doubled wired’s video viewership.

For the most recent season of Abstract: The Art of Design, she produced all of the motion graphics and served as field producer for the episode focused on Instagram design guru Ian Spalter. Paula’s efforts were recognized when the show received an Emmy nomination for main title sequence, alongside shows like Westworld and Watchmen. 

During her career, Paula has won awards for stories on human rights, health, politics, and breaking news, including a series of award-winning reports on the progress made in treating HIV in rural KwaZulu-Natal. In 2013 she won the Discovery Health Journalist Award for a story on affordable health care for TB patients. And in 2014 she traveled to Delhi, India to create a short documentary on the high rate of sexual violence in both India and South Africa.

Whether it’s going to live shows or DJing or just listening at home, music plays an important role in Paula’s life. That—and cycling to work every day—keeps her grounded in a fast-paced industry.