There are occasions when I get a bout of "producer's block" with
little inspiration on things to search for on the old Youtube.
However on viewing the newspaper review on today's This Morning
I noticed one of the pundits was Mik Scarlet, a broadcaster and
muscian who used to present a show on Channel 4 in the early
90s by the name of "Beat That".
It immediately prompted a Youtube search resulting me finding
an episode from 1991.
The format was ahead of its time as it's now commonplace
to find not just children's programmes, but just about anything
on television putting ordinary individuals into tough tightly timed
challenges, in the Apprentice age.
Though cutting to the chase, the one memorable part of the programme (unsurprisingly on my part) was the theme tune, which is your
typical early 90s fodder of orchestra hits, swirly pianos
and the show's title repeated at different pitches.
On viewing the end credits, it says the theme was by Mcasso,
who nowadays are behind the sonic identity of BBC Local Radio
that can be heard on all the English BBC Local Stations
and have irritated many jingle anoraks.
Though personally I think it's a memorable audio brand,
though I have never heard the sung "BBC" used on air.
Far less lazy use of archive research is discussed on the latest
podcast from the BBC College of Production where a panel
of television and radio producers give an interesting insight
in how to go about using archives.
Most useful of all is the idea of having a specific idea of
what you're searching for, rather than making a visit to
the archives and rummaging left right and centre.
Though quite often a find from the archives spirals off
into other areas altogether.
One of the panelists is Heather Davies from Unusual Productions
who happens to be one of the women I mentioned in yesterday's
blog post and would have been a good speaker at the Social
Media in Radio event.
In the words of fellow producer Trevor Dann, it's proof that
no matter how wide or personal the scale, "archives are fun!".
Friday, April 19, 2013
Thursday, April 18, 2013
Got The Hunger For London
It's been quite an adventurous week with two visits to the big
city in the last couple of days.
The first port of call last night was the Scala, and I must say
I'm impressed with the new Kings Cross station building allowing
me to get from St Pancras to Grays Inn Road a lot quicker.
Anyway the woman I was seeing perform at said venue
was the amazing Alice Russell, who gave a fantastic
performance with top backing band, and a glitter-filled costume
change to boot.
Many of the songs from the "To Dust" album were sung live
including my favourite "Heartbreaker" and the rather deep
ballad "I Loved You" as well as some older material including
"Got The Hunger".
Warming up for Alice were another act from Brighton,
Anushka who are signed to Gilles Peterson's Brownswood
label and I've been giving a spin on my Blam Jam radio show
recently with their belter of a tune "I Have Love 4 U".
Unfortunately I arrived midway through their set meaning
I missed the above tune being done live.
I bumped into two Westminster radio alumni at the gig,
them being Sam Lovell and his award winning partner Rhianne,
really good to see them again.
However there was another familiar face present that I missed
which I was more than gutted about, as Karen P from Folded Wing
was there too although I'm sure we'll cross paths again
really soon.
In fact earlier tonight I met up with three of her "little helpers"
Jim, Andrea and Pete at the Radio Academy's event
on Social Media taking place at the Gibson Centre.
It was really useful to a point, but producer Kelly Redmond from
Somethin' Else rightly pointed out on Twitter that it was let down
by it being an all male panel.
When the event was proposed I actually suggested two really
good woman producers who are dab hands at social media
and radio.
I won't mention any names but one of them I suggested actually
won the prize for Best Multi-Platform Creator at last year's
Radio Production Awards for her work on a very big series
for BBC Radio 2 that created a dedicated fanbase on Twitter.
Tonight's event was more a look into the workings
and dos and don'ts of Social Media and is worthy of a follow
up explaining how ideas come about and the thinking behind
stunts such as Michael Buble being interviewed in the lift of
New Broadcasting House.
Overall I'm glad I've been able to occupy myself over the last
couple of days, and this weekend I'm back on the Thanet
coast for Soul Acension at Margate's West Coast Bar.
The good grooves return along with the good weather.
city in the last couple of days.
The first port of call last night was the Scala, and I must say
I'm impressed with the new Kings Cross station building allowing
me to get from St Pancras to Grays Inn Road a lot quicker.
Anyway the woman I was seeing perform at said venue
was the amazing Alice Russell, who gave a fantastic
performance with top backing band, and a glitter-filled costume
change to boot.
Many of the songs from the "To Dust" album were sung live
including my favourite "Heartbreaker" and the rather deep
ballad "I Loved You" as well as some older material including
"Got The Hunger".
Warming up for Alice were another act from Brighton,
Anushka who are signed to Gilles Peterson's Brownswood
label and I've been giving a spin on my Blam Jam radio show
recently with their belter of a tune "I Have Love 4 U".
Unfortunately I arrived midway through their set meaning
I missed the above tune being done live.
I bumped into two Westminster radio alumni at the gig,
them being Sam Lovell and his award winning partner Rhianne,
really good to see them again.
However there was another familiar face present that I missed
which I was more than gutted about, as Karen P from Folded Wing
was there too although I'm sure we'll cross paths again
really soon.
In fact earlier tonight I met up with three of her "little helpers"
Jim, Andrea and Pete at the Radio Academy's event
on Social Media taking place at the Gibson Centre.
It was really useful to a point, but producer Kelly Redmond from
Somethin' Else rightly pointed out on Twitter that it was let down
by it being an all male panel.
When the event was proposed I actually suggested two really
good woman producers who are dab hands at social media
and radio.
I won't mention any names but one of them I suggested actually
won the prize for Best Multi-Platform Creator at last year's
Radio Production Awards for her work on a very big series
for BBC Radio 2 that created a dedicated fanbase on Twitter.
Tonight's event was more a look into the workings
and dos and don'ts of Social Media and is worthy of a follow
up explaining how ideas come about and the thinking behind
stunts such as Michael Buble being interviewed in the lift of
New Broadcasting House.
Overall I'm glad I've been able to occupy myself over the last
couple of days, and this weekend I'm back on the Thanet
coast for Soul Acension at Margate's West Coast Bar.
The good grooves return along with the good weather.
Friday, April 12, 2013
"Stay Bright, Not Arf!" (Or even a third)
It's been a rather quiet week hasn't it?
Though in truth there's been also sorts of mixed reaction
to the death of a former prime minister which has reached
new heights (if that's the right description) over BBC Radio 1's
decision not to play "Ding Dong The Witch Is Dead" in full
when it is expected to hit the top 10 of the official singles
chart on Sunday.
I'm sure you're bored to death of the whole story by now,
but from a personal point of view it's a case of the BBC being
coy over reporting the facts.
They don't own the chart, they have the rights to broadcast
the official singles sales and have just renewed their contract
up to 2016.
The part of the issue that makes me laugh is that this will
be the shortest song to enter the top 10, and the BBC is
insistent on cutting it even shorter.
Whatever happens on Sunday, I won't get to hear it live
as a result of being on air at the same time, but it's very
likely I'll get the jist of what happens from Twitter.
An even more entertaining night awaits this Friday
with both The News Quiz on Radio 4, and Have I Got News
For You on television both covering the big story, the
latter this week hosted by Brian Blessed which will be
guaranteed to draw my mum away from watching.
Though in truth there's been also sorts of mixed reaction
to the death of a former prime minister which has reached
new heights (if that's the right description) over BBC Radio 1's
decision not to play "Ding Dong The Witch Is Dead" in full
when it is expected to hit the top 10 of the official singles
chart on Sunday.
I'm sure you're bored to death of the whole story by now,
but from a personal point of view it's a case of the BBC being
coy over reporting the facts.
They don't own the chart, they have the rights to broadcast
the official singles sales and have just renewed their contract
up to 2016.
The part of the issue that makes me laugh is that this will
be the shortest song to enter the top 10, and the BBC is
insistent on cutting it even shorter.
Whatever happens on Sunday, I won't get to hear it live
as a result of being on air at the same time, but it's very
likely I'll get the jist of what happens from Twitter.
An even more entertaining night awaits this Friday
with both The News Quiz on Radio 4, and Have I Got News
For You on television both covering the big story, the
latter this week hosted by Brian Blessed which will be
guaranteed to draw my mum away from watching.
Thursday, April 04, 2013
Lathered In Leicester
I won't go into too much detail as I am knackered, but I've just
returned from an amazing three days at the SRA Student Radio
Conference in Leicester.
The CSR team were fantastic throughout, and the sessions
we went to were really inspring with my favourite being
one on content as lead by Graham Albans, a BA on
The Chris Evans Breakfast Show, assisted by the one
and only Simon Hirst and Kerrang's James Walsh.
Other highlights included CSR winning the Charity Champion
award for our Awake For 48 event, and a crazy DJ set
from Danny Mylo at the Soundclash later on that night.
As is normally the case I blagged a few photos including
one with Radio 1's most recent star Hattie Pearson
who made her BBC debut last Friday;
As well as one with Greg James, who gave a really good insight
on making the move from student radio to national radio.
I would love to see a photo of Greg stood next to Jon Holmes
from XFM and The Now Show.
The difference in height, (and wittiness) would be more than noticeable.
Overall the event was a vast improvement on my experience
in Bath 5 years ago and everyone from CSR and possibly every
other station who attended would agree that they learnt a lot and
have been inspired further to make compelling and creative
radio.
An amazing atmosphere throughout and lovely people.
returned from an amazing three days at the SRA Student Radio
Conference in Leicester.
The CSR team were fantastic throughout, and the sessions
we went to were really inspring with my favourite being
one on content as lead by Graham Albans, a BA on
The Chris Evans Breakfast Show, assisted by the one
and only Simon Hirst and Kerrang's James Walsh.
Other highlights included CSR winning the Charity Champion
award for our Awake For 48 event, and a crazy DJ set
from Danny Mylo at the Soundclash later on that night.
As is normally the case I blagged a few photos including
one with Radio 1's most recent star Hattie Pearson
who made her BBC debut last Friday;
As well as one with Greg James, who gave a really good insight
on making the move from student radio to national radio.
I would love to see a photo of Greg stood next to Jon Holmes
from XFM and The Now Show.
The difference in height, (and wittiness) would be more than noticeable.
Overall the event was a vast improvement on my experience
in Bath 5 years ago and everyone from CSR and possibly every
other station who attended would agree that they learnt a lot and
have been inspired further to make compelling and creative
radio.
An amazing atmosphere throughout and lovely people.
Monday, April 01, 2013
Drained In De Montford?
Tomorrow will prove whether I really am getting old as I am set
to endure a minibus journey with many of CSR's key protagonists
on the way to Leicester for the 2013 Student Radio Conference.
It's 5 years since I attended such an event, but the second
I get off that minibus I am able to acknowledge that I don't
have to be closely tied to that lot and attend every session
they go to.
I've been a bit of a cynical one for most of today, not least
because of the goings on of April Twat's Day as I'm now calling it,
but it will be good to see a few old faces from radio outings
at the conference who I've bumped into in the last couple of years.
The sessions themselves look really good too, including
one from Radio 2 producer Graham Albans about show content,
and another quite heavily practical one on Wednesday involving
station imaging with Christ Church alumni James Todd leading
the proceedings.
It's a struggle trying to fit in with people you don't know well,
but I hope the next three days will be useful and I'll meet
other new people who are keen to spread out further in radio.
Despite being uncertain about it all, I've taken the word of
Rosie Duffield, a radio friend from Lincolnshire who I've met
at many Radio Academy events that it will be enjoyable,
and if I've had a good time then, I'm sure tomorrow
will be just as amazing.
to endure a minibus journey with many of CSR's key protagonists
on the way to Leicester for the 2013 Student Radio Conference.
It's 5 years since I attended such an event, but the second
I get off that minibus I am able to acknowledge that I don't
have to be closely tied to that lot and attend every session
they go to.
I've been a bit of a cynical one for most of today, not least
because of the goings on of April Twat's Day as I'm now calling it,
but it will be good to see a few old faces from radio outings
at the conference who I've bumped into in the last couple of years.
The sessions themselves look really good too, including
one from Radio 2 producer Graham Albans about show content,
and another quite heavily practical one on Wednesday involving
station imaging with Christ Church alumni James Todd leading
the proceedings.
It's a struggle trying to fit in with people you don't know well,
but I hope the next three days will be useful and I'll meet
other new people who are keen to spread out further in radio.
Despite being uncertain about it all, I've taken the word of
Rosie Duffield, a radio friend from Lincolnshire who I've met
at many Radio Academy events that it will be enjoyable,
and if I've had a good time then, I'm sure tomorrow
will be just as amazing.
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