20·04·10 Week 16 explore.gateway.bbc.co.uk/ariel THE BBC NEWSPAPER
BBC people were among those left stranded by the volcanic eruption a Page 3
Tim franks, Middle East ◆correspondent (right), keeps stride with Palestinian 5000 metre runner Nader al Masri – until the Gaza-based athlete picks up the pace and leaves the BBC man for dust. Al Masri is one of 25 hopefuls being tracked by the BBC for its World Olympic Dreams project Pages 8-9 keep up with the story
◆ Heard the One ◆ Rod McKenzie looks ◆ Words on the street about Adrian Chiles back on 25 years on that shouldn’t be on going to ITV? Page 2 the beat Page 7 the air Page 10
> NEWS 2-4 WEEK AT WORK 8-9 OPINION 10 MAIL 11 JOBS 14 GREEN ROOM 16 < 162 News aa 00·00·08 20·04·10 NEWS BITES a Chiles off to ITV after A rapist from Devon has been jailed after his victim contacted the police – ten years after her Room 2316, White City abuse – having seen a plotline about 201 Wood Lane, London W12 7TS losing his Friday slot paedophilia in EastEnders which inspired her to break her silence. A 020 8008 4228 jury at Exeter Crown Court found Editor by Rumeana Jahangir 55 year old Frederick Hanmer Candida Watson 02-84222 guilty of four counts of rape and Deputy editor Adrian Chiles HAS CONFIRMED weekend ru- five counts of sexual assault. Cathy Loughran 02-27360 mours that he is leaving the BBC to join ITV on Chief writer an exclusive four-year deal. The BBC’s The Virtual Revolution, Sally Hillier 02-26877 His decision comes after last Tuesday’s an- an ambitious project that explored Planning manager nouncement that he was to be replaced by Ra- the impact of the worldwide web, Clare Bolt 02-24622 dio 2 broadcaster Chris Evans for the Friday ep- has won a Digital Emmy Award Broadcast Journalists isodes of The One Show. in the non-fiction category. The presenter of Match of the Day 2 and The Claire Barrett 02-27368 Apprentice spin-off You’re Fired! had been expect- BBC One and the V&A are Adam Bambury 02-27410 ed to renew his BBC contract which ends this collaborating to offer a free Lisette Johnston 02-27630 month. He will now host GMTV and lead ITV’s exhibition at London’s Victoria and Rumeana Jahangir 01 -43756 football coverage, including the World Cup, Albert Museum, exploring the work AV Manager Champions League and England’s home inter- of Warhol, Matisse, Picasso and Peter Roach 02-24622 nationals. Dali – all featured in next month’s Digital Design Executives In a statement on Monday, he described the television series Modern Masters, David Murray 02-27380 ITV offer as an ‘irresistible’ one that made his presented by Alistair Sooke, and Gary Lonergan 02-84229 decision to leave the BBC ‘not quite as hard as online at bbc.co.uk/modernmasters. Team assistant it might have been’: ‘I would have been happy Graeme Allister 02-84228 to stay at the BBC doing the same shows on the tribution and wished him well for the future. Pacific Quay is showcasing work same terms, especially The One Show, of which I Chiles, who will continue to present The from the Glasgow International am so proud, having worked on it since the first One Show for the next two weeks but not Match Festival of Art [Gi]. The exhibits, Guest contributors this week pilots four years ago,’ he said. of the Day 2, was on holiday when the BBC an- from more than 20 artists closely ‘It’s no secret how disappointed I was by the nounced that Evans is to co-host the one-hour associated with Glasgow, were TRUDI BARBER, 5 live sbj, feels the controller’s decision to change an apparent- programmes on Fridays. chosen in collaboration with the chill but rises to the challenge with ly successful and well-loved show at this stage, On Monday his replacement on neither show National Galleries of Scotland radio current affairs. Page 14 but I fully respect her right to do so and sin- had been confirmed. and are on display until May 3. cerely wish her and the brilliant One Show team Chiles launched The One Show in 2006 with PAULO CABRAL, Brazil well with it.’ Nadia Sawalha and went on to present the A recent surge of requests for correspondent, on why there’s much He went on to say: ‘I’ve spent all my working show with Myleene Klass. He and current co- maps showing constituency more to say about his country. life at the BBC, working with and learning from host Christine Bleakley saw the show reach a boundaries has prompted BBC Page 15 some of the best people in the business. I will record 7.4m viewers this winter and regularly Distribution to set its computers miss all my friends and colleagues very much attract audiences of more than 5m. running automatically to churn out but can’t wait to get started with new people ITV made a lucrative offer to Chiles in 2008 maps for all 650 of them. They are Ariel mail on two major new challenges for me at ITV.’ but he chose to stay at the BBC because of the available at http://home.gateway. Candida. [email protected] The BBC thanked the presenter for his con- breadth of the work his contract offered. bbc.co.uk/distribution/parliament/ Ariel online explore.gateway.bbc.uk/ariel BBC Jobs 0370 333 1330 Radio 1 was named station of the Jobs textphone 028 9032 8478 year at the Music Week Awards, BBC Jobs John Clarke 02-27143 beating Radio 2 and 6 Music, Bectu backs Casualty protest which were also nominated. Room 2120, White City, London W12 7TS
Advertise in Ariel Bectu is supporting formal appeals against ue an open dialogue with Bectu to ensure that Under a new two year deal with Ten Alps Media 020 7878 2313 dismissal by members of the props team who fixed term staff and freelances are appropriate- the Scottish Premier League, Radio www.bbcarielads.com work on Casualty. ly engaged and recognised for the critical con- Scotland will be able to broadcast Printing Seven of the 12-strong team face losing their tribution they make.’ live commentaries of every match, Garnett Dickinson Group jobs after 11 months and two weeks – a fort- Meanwhile, Bectu members at Red Bee Me- while 5 live will be able to showcase Rotherham 01709 768000 night short of the 12 months required to secure dia – which provides playout and support serv- a number of league games across them certain employment rights. A lunchtime ices to BBC tv channels – have voted 83 percent the UK. BBC Scotland will continue Subscribe to Ariel protest against the move was staged by produc- in favour of strike action over the proposed to run a Monday night tv highlights Six months: £26, £36, £40 tion staff outside the Bristol studios last week halving of their redundancy terms. Talks reo- programme, and the amount of Twelve months: £50, £60, £68 and a petition is being circulated. pened on Monday between the union and Red clips and highlights that can be (prices for UK, Europe, rest of world ‘Management’s policy on the non-renew- Bee management. shown online will be extended. respectively) al of contracts is unfair and immoral and will Many of those affected at the company were Cheques to: Garnett Dickinson Print, be challenged,’ said Bectu supervisory official formerly employees of BBC Broadcast which Paul Maidment has been appointed Brookfields Way, Manvers, Helen Ryan. was sold to the Australian Macquarie group director of Motion Gallery, the Wath Upon Dearne, Rotherham S63 5DL The BBC stressed that its fixed term and free- in 2005. Diane Dumas, BBC head of employee international stock footage arm Tel 01709 768199 lance workforce was ‘much valued’ and pro- relations, told Ariel recently that it was ‘inap- of BBC Worldwide, following the vided ‘the flexibility needed to respond to the propriate’ for the BBC to get involved in com- departure of Simon Gibbs. INFORMATION IN AN EMERGENCY dynamic and project-oriented nature of pro- mercial decisions that needed to be made by its Telephone 0800 0688 159 gramme making’: ‘We are committed to contin- supply partners. Ceefax Page 159www.bbc.co.uk/159 Ariel is produced by Internal The BBC Club Photography Communications for people at the BBC Section Exhibition will take place Theft levels now ‘unacceptable’ between May 9-13 (inclusive) at Acquire Space Gallery, 155 A Freedom of Information request has re- Responding to the FOI request by The Dai- Battersea Park Road, London vealed that property worth almost £600,000 ly Star newspaper, the BBC admitted that this SW8 4BU. [email protected] was stolen from BBC premises last year. level of theft was ‘clearly unacceptable’ and The thefts included camera equipment val- that measures were being investigated to ued at more than £250,000, ten computers and make sure it is reduced. PLEASE RECYCLE YOUR COPY OF ARIEL 52 laptops worth £93,000, 32 mobiles and 14 ‘The portability of laptops and phones Blackberries worth a total of £7400 and four means that in any large organisation there is projectors with a £2756 price tag. an inevitable risk of theft,’ the BBC added. BBC-owned property accounted for ‘The BBC investigation unit is involved £484,261 of the total stolen, the other loss- whenever an allegation of theft is made, and es being suffered by contractors, service part- where appropriate the police are informed ners and staff. and prosecutions brought where we can.’
> ARIEL ONLINE: BBC NEWS AS IT HAPPENS – EXPLORE.GATEWAY.BBC.CO.UK/ARIEL< a 20·04·10 News 3 photograph: pa photos pa photograph: Stuck for the second time There are worse places to be than Monaco. Even so, Annie McGuire was less than thrilled THE FALLOUT to be stranded there after covering the Monte Carlo Masters tennis for BBC Scotland tv and ra- dio, the News Channel and Radio 5 live. ‘After Andy Murray went out of the tourna- ment, I agreed to do inserts into our morning programmes on Thursday then fly home,’ ex- plains the Pacific Quay based video journalist. But nobody was flying anywhere and, thanks to a strike by some French rail work- ers, thwarted air passengers also had prob- lems travelling by train. McGuire is now booked on a TGV from Nice to Lille on Wednesday, followed by Eu- rostar to London then a sleeper to Glasgow. ‘Last month I had my flight cancelled af- Staff and stars were among the ter the Indian Wells tennis tournament in hundreds of thousands caught up California because of the BA strike, and was stuck there for three days, so I am beginning in the travel chaos. Sally Hillier reports to think I am very unlucky,’ she says. There she goes: the ash cloud that has dominated the news best laid plans were left in tat- fected by the disruption. of kilos of kit, including a crane. five million unique users on both ters as scores of BBC people strug- The same cannot be said for the Camera/soundman Daniel Meyers Saturday and Sunday. gled to and from business and Bristol team behind Human Planet, made his way overland from Paris to u Staff on holiday are asked to leisure trips following flight can- who were due to fly to Mali to film meet the others in Madrid. return as soon as possible, ‘tak- cellations across Europe. ‘deserts’. Instead, assistant produc- Meanwhile, photographer Tim- ing safety into account’, but Some, like Gary Lineker, er Cecilia Hue, director Andrew Gra- othy Allen and producer/director in most cases exceptional paid who was in the Canaries, made ham-Brown, cameraman Robin Cox, Mark Flowers, who have been film- leave to cover up to an extra five it home… eventually. Others jib operator Jonathan Dennis, and ing ‘rivers’ for Human Planet, are days of absence is being grant- though are still stranded. camera assistant Jasper Montana set stuck in Brazil. ed. This will be reviewed as the David Attenborough, according off on Monday on a circuitous route With so many people affected situation develops and could to some reports, ‘is stuck in the that involved a 20 hour ferry ride across the world it is perhaps no be increased. The same guid- Arctic’. This is untrue. He is in the from Plymouth to Santander, a drive surprise that early data indicates ance applies to employees nor- Monte Carlo or bust: Annie McGuire Norwegian town of Longyearbyen, to Madrid, then a flight to Casablan- that April 17-18 was the biggest mally based outside the UK who 700 miles south of the North Pole, ca with an onward connection to weekend ever for global traffic to are stuck in a different country filming Frozen Planet, but is unaf- Mali – accompanied by hundreds BBC News online, with more than from their usual place of work. Grandparents At some point we’ll have to hit the road miss special day
Reluctantly in Russia: Correspondent Emma it out in the Russian capital, Little Charlie Cooper was baptised on Peter Page, Emma Simpson Simpson, cameraman Peter hoping that flights would soon Sunday but two key family members were and Ben Morris Page and producer Ben Morris resume. They even bought missing. are stuck in Moscow, where extra kit so they could begin Charlie is the four month old son of Radio they arrived on April 11 to editing the programme from Northampton presenter Pete Cooper, who make a new programme called their hotel over the weekend, explains: ‘My parents, who have seen him Russia Business Report. sending bits and pieces to be only once, live in Spain and couldn’t fly over. Due to return on Friday, they stitched together in London. ‘We decided to go ahead with the bap- planned to start editing their It has been a frustrating programme on Monday, ready time both for them and their for its launch on BBC World families. ‘I’ve got two little News this weekend. boys aged six and two who Unable to get back – they want to see their mummy,’ says explored the possibility of Simpson. embarking on a surface journey ‘At some point we have to across Europe, but every route take the plunge and hit the involved going through Belarus road – either by rail, car or for which a transit visa was to an airport that will get us required – they decided to sit further on the way.’ We should have been together in LA
Sam Horner, an assistant along the runway when it was and restaurants. content producer for Audio announced that it wouldn’t He was immediately and Music Interactive, thought be taking off after all – and he rebooked onto another he was one of the lucky ones found himself back in the ter- flight, then another, and tism anyway. Mum and dad were upset as he sat in what appeared to minal. another. All were can- they didn’t make it but they’ve rebooked be one of the final planes out He was hoping to go to Los celled so he has now for next month so, barring any more vol- of Heathrow last Thursday be- Angeles to meet his girlfriend, postponed his trip Missing you: canoes, they should be over soon. fore UK air space was closed. Safia, for a celebration of their until June. Sam Horner ‘You have to be philosophical about The Virgin Atlantic aircraft first year together, and as well ‘Sad times,’ he and his the whole thing as it’s not like there is even got as far as taxi-ing as flights had booked hotels says. girlfriendSafia anyone you can complain to.’
4 News a 20·04·10 Canvas could get Nothing beats team work go ahead in weeks PROJECT CANVAS, the proposed partnership PHOTOGRAPH: SIAN ROBERTS SIAN PHOTOGRAPH: by Rumeana Jahangir between the BBC, ITV, C4, Five, BT and Talk Talk to build an open internet-connected tv The sound of beatboxing emanates from a platform, could be green lit by the BBC Trust music studio. Nothing unusual about that, you as early as next month. may think – but from the base of the BBC Phil- Speaking at the BBC’s Media Tech Trends harmonic? Has the Radio 3 orchestra rolled seminar at White City last week, director of over Beethoven for the sounds of the under- the project Richard Halton said he expected ground? the trust’s final conclusions in May/June, once No, it’s just collaborating with young peo- a merger enquiry by the Office of Fair Trad- ple who have spent their Easter holidays stitch- ing reported to the BBC governing body in the ing together a ten-minute musical animation. next few weeks. Beats Odyssey is about a fantasy journey from The trust published its largely positive pro- London to Salford that is inspired by the actu- visional conclusions before Christmas. A trust al move north of five BBC departments over the spokeswoman confirmed that the OFT en- next 18 months. quiry, into concerns raised by Sky and Virgin The project has been run by the BBC’s dig- Media, was expected to conclude in weeks, ital learning centre 21CC with the Manches- rather than months, with the trust’s own fi- ter-based Philharmonic and the BBC Singers nal ruling following in ‘late Spring, early sum- at Maida Vale. Around 40 students in London mer’. and north west England spent a week mak- The approval for Canvas has been subject ing an animation inspired by a specially-cre- to numerous consultation stages and last year ated score from the composer Richard Taylor. Eric Huggers, director of FM&T, warned that They decided to make the central character the project might not launch until 2011 if the neither a woman nor a man, but a musical process was not speeded up. symbol whose journey starts at the seaside No strings attached: beatboxer Brad Bromley with BBC musicians Clifford Lantaff and Kim Wong ‘The upside of waiting is that you get a ro- and takes in Big Ben, highways and farms be- bust approval process,’ Halton told the BBC fore reaching Salford. The final combination is an animation rem- ventional instruments in their live perform- Academy seminar. ‘Once it is approved, part- Once the animation had been completed, iniscent of the Beatles’ film Yellow Submarine ance of the film’s soundtrack. ners will get ready to invest.’ another 35 students in London and Manchester but laden with beatbox, violins and a harp. Learning controller Saul Nassé, who hosted watched the cut, stripped of the original score. Beats Odyssey was shown at a simulcast link- the event last Friday, said: ‘21CC is all about giv- The groups at both locations then composed up between Maida Vale and Manchester in front ing schoolchildren hands-on access. It’s about their own soundtracks last week with the BBC of the students and their families. The perform- letting them look under the bonnet of the Ways in and ways Singers and Philharmonic respectively. ers used Wii controls, touchpads and more con- BBC.’ up career ladder At entry level and much higher up the BBC tv career ladder, more than a hundred people Podcasts can teach lessons for life have just been recruited onto bespoke schemes that could help them climb the next rung. sha linda PHOTOGRAPH: by Lisette Johnston the scheme is Maria, 32, from From a field of 7000 applicants, 100 suc- Voice coaching: Greece. She’s overcome drug ad- cessful candidates have joined the second Vi- They say that charity begins at Sophie Butler, of diction and seven years of home- sion Intake Pool, designed to offer fair access home. Where better then for staff Radio Comedy, lessness and says the project has to runner and PMA roles and provide a trained at Broadcasting House to get in- puts trainee Maria helped her turn her life around. and vetted pool from which BBC productions
volved with good causes than with through her paces k ‘I loved the podcasting. I was a bit can fill their vacancies. a volunteer project on the door- esb nervous, as I was not used to being In its London-only pilot in 2009, most of the step? Members of the BBC Radio y recorded, but it was fun because I 71 members of the pool gained contracts with- Comedy department are running have an interest in theatre and am in Vision during the year. This year’s pool will workshops at the House of St also doing work experience at the be eligible for vacancies in London, Manches- Barnabas in London’s Soho district Soho Theatre,’ she says. ter, Birmingham and Bristol. as part of their 12 week life skills ‘I was cynical and sceptical about The latest Series Producer Scheme, which programme. The scheme helps [this scheme],’ she admits, ‘but the the BBC runs with independent charity The homeless volunteers back into whole experience has been really Research Centre to develop network producers employment via work placements surprising.’ Leon, 26, from south from the nations and regions to series produc- at a variety of businesses, and London, became homeless after his er level, has chosen 13 new participants. The education. relationship broke down. He says mix of indie, in-house and freelance producers The House of St Barnabas vol- broadcasting equipment is perfect transfer our knowledge and develop classes in CV writing, alternative includes Bristol-based Casualty producer Anne- unteers worked with radio comedy because it’s very good for recount- our leadership and management therapies and visits to BBC per- Louise Russell and BBC Scotland’s Matt Bar- staff to create podcasts, build self ing things – what they’ve learnt, skills,’ Sophie explains. ‘This project formances have helped give him rett, currently working on The Culture Show. esteem in a confidence workshop, where they are now – and it helps is local and we wanted something hope for the future. and will be put through mock inter- people reflect on things.’ like that. We are bringing tangible ‘I’ll be standing with actors and views at Henry Wood House to give Radio comedy was already skills that are specific to the BBC but reading scripts with them so you them a sense of the recruitment planning to partner a charity when can be transferred into other em- have to be confident and learn to 3CR joins drive process. production executive Sophie Butler ployment.’ She also notes that the work as a team. Those skills and Two trainees from the group will visited the House while looking for volunteers were not familiar with others I’ve learned on the pro- against elder abuse have a week’s work experience as an event venue. Radio 4 before the project. gramme will help me to get jobs production co-ordinators in radio ‘It is great for us because we can One of those benefitting from and placements.’ Workers at Three Counties Radio are staff- comedy, shadowing shows such as ing a confidential hotline on which people can the News Quiz and producing and report suspected abuse of elderly people. It is editing a feature. While getting a part of a year-long ‘Who Cares?’ campaign by job at the BBC might not be the end Ten new partners for Connect & Create the station to raise awareness of elder abuse result for them, the initial phase and ultimately change the law on protection of the project got 57 percent of its CONNECT & CREATE, maritans; Age UK, which with the BBC in three ar- ners, Anne Morrison, di- of vulnerable people. volunteers into work, and a further which links BBC staff works with the elderly; eas: production (perhaps rector of the BBC Academy Staff, including broadcast assistants, jour- 42 percent into education with the beneficiaries of The Shaw Trust, which sharing knowledge to said: ‘They will make a big nalists and a receptionist, have volunteered as ‘It’s a question of broadening charities to create learn- supports people with make films or podcasts), difference to both staff in phone operators and will support members of people’s experiences and giving ing experiences for eve- disabilities; Coram, which leadership (BBC vol- the BBC and the commu- the charity Action on Elder Abuse. them the opportunity to do some- ryone, has announced helps vulnerable young unteers running work- nities with which we work Over the next 12 months, the station will thing they have not done before,’ ten new partners for the people and their families; shops) and mentoring across the UK. tell victims’ and carers’ stories and ask listen- says Amy Tschudin, life skills man- coming year. Street Games, which de- (career counselling and They will also help us to ers to volunteer as community care champi- ager at House of St Barnabas: Spanning various areas, velops ‘doorstep sport. advice). connect with harder-to- ons. They will also set up a network for carers ‘Doing podcasts and using the partners include Sa- The partners will work Welcoming the latest part- reach audiences.’ to share their experiences. First time buyers You too can live at one of London’s most desirable riverside addresses – Imperial Wharf, London SW6
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STC356_ARIEL_1904 v2.indd 1 14/04/2010 12:32 Features 6 week@work a 20·04·10 shamEless plug BBC IN ACTION u Anne Davis presenter, East Midlands Today When I am not trawling through the news or reading The heat was on last week an autocue I am often squeezing into a Victorian cor- for Tim Davie, director Audio set, strapping on a bustle and sticking some feathers and Music, and talent as - in my hair for the next performance of the two wom- sistant Fizzy Edwards. The an show Aston and Annie which I am half of. pair, who hadn’t met before, I met Caroline Aston one frosty night near Christmas were entrants in the Mara - 2007. Both of us were appearing in a charity gala and thon des Sables, an extreme got chatting about matters theatrical and histori- endurance race across the cal over the mince pies and punch. The result of that Sahara. festive get-together was the birth of Aston and Annie Competitors ran 151 miles - a unique two-woman team who specialise in lifting over six days, in tempera - the silken skirts of Victorian history and revealing tures up to 53C, sleeping in the tantalising black stockinged ankles underneath! basic, shared tents at night. Some say that Aston and Annie are to history what Davie was completing his 60 two fat ladies were to cookery ....except they’re not Degree challenge, in which fat . he also ran a marathon at I have fronted East Midlands Today for the last the North Pole. He has raised nine years following eight years as a presenter at the £13,000 for Mencap so far, egg and bacon, toast and cereal end of television on with some sponsors still to GMTV. pay. He says he found the heat ‘brutal’ and felt sick for days after the event. He’s now going to fulfil a prom - ise to his wife not to do any more big races for a while. Edwards, who claims not to be an athlete, was running for the charity Facing Africa, which provides medical support to child sufferers of the facial disease NOMA in Ethiopia and Nigeria. She’s raised about £8000, with more to come from running in the London Marathon this weekend. Many other BBC staff are also taking part in the event, and Ariel wishes them all a good race and an enjoyable day.
Caroline Aston and Anne Davis in costume and in character
To celebrate its 20th birthday, staff from BBC Suffolk CHANGING PLACES invited their audience to an Interactive Open Day. It Caroline is a renowned speaker and historian as turned into a big birthday party when more CHRIS McCLUSKEY has joined the English Regions well as being a regular broadcaster and writer for than 900 people turned up at the North comms team as marcomms co-ordinator, cov- various historical publications. Ipswich studios. ering HELEN HOLT’S maternity leave. Chris has pre- Together we present our own inimitable take on Members of the public were viously led marketing campaigns for Children in Need the high jinks and hanky panky of aristocratic life able to get hands on with tv, and, more recently, in Vision Portfolio. in the late nineteenth century. The show, ‘The rise radio and online equipment JOELLE ALLEN will be taking up a two-year contract and spectacular fall of Lady Felicity Beauchamp, to get a flavour for the as external affairs co-ordinator for BBC North. Debutante, Duchess and Damned Bad Egg’, written work done at the BBC, KATY WATSON and PHILIP HAMPSHEIR join the by Caroline, has played to great acclaim at country with activities rang- Middle East Business Report team in Dubai. They house hotels and various literary festivals. We play ing from making an replace JEREMY HOWELL and MALCOLM BORTH- seven different roles in a fast-moving, witty and episode of The Arch- WICK who return to London after successful six- extremely humorous look at the mores and morals ers to presenting BBC year and three-year postings. of Edwardian upper crust life and love. tv news, weather and Katy previously worked as business producer for We will be staging a London preview of the hugely sports bulletins. Breakfast and the News Channel. Philip was markets successful show on April 22 in the prestigious sur- The online team dem- reporter for World Business Report. They join BEN roundings of Over-Seas House at Park Place, St James onstrated the History THOMPSON in Dubai who takes on the senior re- Street – rather appropriately just down the road from of the World website and porter role in the bureau. the Ritz! Tickets are £10, the show starts at 7.30pm. presenters were on hand Then it’s off to the Edinburgh Festival and after that to meet listeners. - who knows? So please come along.
RESOURCE OF THE WEEK u Want to know how low-energy tion with BBC West Midlands and The environment team want studio lighting (LEL) stacks up? English Regions are going to put as many staff as possible to go Put a dozen lighting directors in some of these companies’ claims along and see the lights first a room and you’ll get a dozen dif- to the test in Birmingham’s Mail- hand. ferent opinions on LEL. box studio. Recently, companies have During April and May, staff are claimed real breakthroughs with planning to try out three of the high-quality LEL which they say most promising styles: Discharge, will save money and carbon. Now, LEDs and directional fluorescents. you can judge for yourself. Same set, same programmes, BBC Environment in associa- same presenters, different lights. a 20·04·10 Features 7 Old hand at youth news photograph: LE photograph: One area where Newsbeat has developed a After a quarter of a huge connection with its audience is in report- century at Newsbeat, ing on the conflict in Afghanistan, with serv- icemen and women and their families tuning O
Rod McKenzie still relishes N into exclusive stories not broadcast on other S ORA BBC outlets. With many serving military per-
the challenge of making A
UNDE sonnel fitting the demographic, Newsbeat gets a lot of response from them to stories, via texts the news engaging for a R S and email. younger audience In recent years Radio 1 has regularly report- ed from the field in Afghanistan, with journal- by Lisette Johnston ists embedded with both British and US troops. Reports on ‘real people and real stories’ from When Rod McKenzie started at Radio 1’s News- the region have had a fantastic response, both beat, 25 years ago this month, it was an old boy from listeners and other media. The team’s re- network – if you glimpsed a woman she would porting on the safety of Snatch Land Rovers be- be typing or making tea for djs like Mike Smith ing used by troops on tour was not only picked and Simon Bates. up by other BBC channels but made headlines ‘Back then the station was nominally aimed across the world. It also sparked strong reac- at a younger audience, but I don’t think there tion from soldiers themselves was any significant understanding of who that ‘Very often journalists are not that well audience was,’ McKenzie recalls. ‘It was almost connected with the military and don’t have entirely blokes and a drinking culture and old huge understanding of military life,’ McKen- school hack journalism.’ zie thinks. Those days are long gone, replaced with a Asked what he is most proud of, McKenzie slick multiplatform approach that sees a jour- struggles to pick one thing. But he does touch nalistic team of nearly 60 ‘Facebooking’, blog- on the Obama election victory, with two out- ging, filming and filing stories for online. The side broadcasts from America. He believes News- biggest challenge they face is engaging with an beat told the election story to its audience by audience of late teens to 30 somethings, older speaking to young voters, with Sima Kotecha in than Radio 1’s target audience, which is 15-24. says firmly. Starting out as a freelance reporter on News- Atlanta, Georgia, and Iain Mackenzie working That means most of his listeners weren’t even ‘What they don’t have time for is decoding beat in 1985, McKenzie got his break with with McKenzie in Scranton, Pennsylvania. born when McKenzie started broadcasting. journalistic jargon, abstract ideas or the work- Simon Mayo on the Breakfast Show, which in- However it isn’t the ‘yes we can’ of the Pres- For many of that audience Newsbeat is the ings of Westminster. All good journalism is volved five years of getting up at 3am. idential campaign that he settles on. only news they hear, so the programme’s sto- about being accessible, authoritative and inter- ‘Doing the Radio 1 Roadshow was an amaz- ‘In terms of a single euphoric wow, my best ry list frequently covers a different agenda to esting, and if you can be that you’ll successful, ing experience, touring Britain’s seaside towns day was probably the launch of 1Xtra. You don’t the rest of BBC News. A Newsbeat report on self and I think our 10m listeners say that we are.’ in a big bus. I still occasionally bump into often get a new station starting and the buzz I harm uncovered a 50 percent rise in young peo- But McKenzie insists that making the news people who remember me from ‘Margate’ or got from the opening of 1Xtra was amazing. It ple ending up in hospital after deliberately cut- easily digestible does not mean oversimplify- “Bournemouth’ – scary. made me think what it must have been like back ting themselves, with vivid personal accounts ing. ‘I genuinely hate dumbing down,’ he says, in 1967 when Tony Blackburn opened up Radio from listeners which shone a light on an often passionately. ‘There is no topic that is too com- Top of the Pops 1 – it’s a moment of history to be savoured. taboo subject. plicated for Newsbeat or 1Xtra to handle, but ‘I also got to co-present Top of the Pops during ‘I think the great thing about this job is that The programme also noted the rise of if we assume knowledge and assume interest that time so it was all a bit bizarre for a journo,’ there is always something new, literally every Mephadrone as a drug of choice among teen- we may be making a fatal mistake in commu- he recalls. day.’ agers, which meant if could supply informa- nicating.’ Since becoming Newsbeat editor ten years Despite being at the helm of news at tion to the rest of the BBC; and a feature on do- For the demographic he’s trying to at- ago, and taking in 1Xtra in 2002, McKenzie has Radio 1 for a quarter of a century, McKenzie mestic violence led to listener input about male tract, being in the right social media spaces is championed multiplatform in news, and says has no plans to move onto ‘grown up news’. abuse, which is much less talked about. critical. the next challenge is mobile. ‘I’m always up for new challenges, but the ‘It’s not that young people are not inter- ‘We know our two most dynamic contacts ‘Where we are going next will be smart great thing about my job is the new challeng- ested in the news, it’s that we have to make with our audiences are through Facebook and phones and all sorts of convergence media. es have come along with such dramatic regu- that news relevant to them, convincing them through texts,’ he says. ‘And we encourage lis- There will be more video and a genuine conver- larity it feels like my job changes every year it’s the news they need and want,’ McKenzie teners to participate by talking it up on air.’ sation with the audience.’ or so anyway,’ he laughs. Early learning with Penelope K
New CBeebies show answers ing to work out the answer to the questions posed in each episode. Australian children’s questions Penelope has help from sock pup- pet Squirm, friends including Hank by Lisette Johnston of the UK. The project had support and Fran, two wise cracking fish and and input from the UK at every stage, Trewey the shadow rabbit. Does a worm have eyes? What’s the but was entirely funded by CBeebies The production team hopes biggest creature in the world? in Australia, and produced there. The they’ve created a show which can be Many a child has flummoxed an first series has 25 12 minute episodes, exported globally. adult with questions like these – now and Brendan Dahill, director of tele- ‘CBeebies has pretty much identi- CBeebies in Australia hopes to pro- vision for BBC Worldwide Channels cal DNA in all its iterations around vide the answers in a new, live, show. Australasia, hopes it will be the first the world,’ Dahill explains. ‘When Penelope K, which begins broadcast- of many southern hemisphere com- our little viewers watch CBeebies ing in Australia on April 26, aims to missions. Calling out the answers: Amanda Bishop as Penelope K in Australia they see a channel that guide four to six years olds into work- ‘The success of CBeebies in Aus- feels familiar and understands their ing out for themselves the answers to tralia has been phenomenal and I world and helps them in turn to their questions. The show is the first think parents appreciate having an us all. If it has the impact I hope it cidentally Australian, rather than an make sense of it. It is a huge com- original commission for the interna- alternative to American program- will, then I would like to think this is Australian show.’ pliment and vote of confidence that tional CBeebies channels, and also ming,’ he says. ‘Making Penelope K has the beginning of a journey for us. It In the show Penelope sets out the CBeebies in the UK was prepared to the first to air internationally ahead been a huge learning experience for is a vibrant production, which is in- facts, but it is left to the child watch- collaborate with us.’ 8 9 Ready, steady...throw
by sally Hillier line, where there will be a dedicated micro site great way for correspondents who won’t be in as part of the Olympic portal, with constantly- the UK for the games to have a stake in it.’ Remember the man from Del Monte? Or updated pages on each of the 25 participants. But there is more to the project than sim- rather the tv advert featuring the man from If Olympic Dreams sounds familiar, it’s be- ply making a collection of ‘nice’ films, Kevin Del Monte whose inspection of oranges at a cause the BBC already has a television strand Bishop asserts. ‘It’s about using sport to paint fruit farm elicits the pay-off line: ‘The juice of that name focusing on British hopefuls a bigger picture about people’s lives. It’s also man from Del Monte – he say yes!’ such as heptathlete Jessica Ennis, sprinter an opportunity to counter some of the neg- Well, there were shades of that when the Shauna Thompson and diver Tom Daley. ative publicity surrounding the Olympics.’ BBC presented its innovative World Olympic Daley also features in the international ver- The social media aspect is crucial, Dreams project to the International Olympic sion, which was borne out of a desire to do he adds. ‘If people start sending Facebook Committee in Lausanne a few weeks ago. something truly global and to utilise the BBC’s messages [prompted by World Just like the man from Del Monte, the com- presence around the world, explains Michele Olympic Dreams] I will count that as a mark Kosovan judo star Majlinda mittee, which guards the Olympic name fierce- Grant, a former news executive who was in- of success.’ ly and whose approval is required for any strumental in getting it all off the ground. Then there is the tie-up with schools, Kemendi gets to grips with Olympic-branded enterprise, said ‘yes’. ‘I don’t think the BBC has ever done any- which is where World Class, the BBC col- ‘In fact they loved the whole idea,’ recalls thing on this scale, across this range of media laboration with the British Council, which Amanda Farnsworth, BBC project executive and sustained for two whole years. The pur- helps UK teachers and pupils to establish the BBC’s Mark Lowen as part for London 2012, who gave the presentation, pose is to give people, especially young people, links with counterparts across the globe, while Kevin Bishop, series producer of World a sense of what it’s like to aim high and what comes in. of World Olympic Dreams – an Olympic Dreams, says simply: ‘They were blown it takes to achieve a goal in terms of determina- ‘This is a fantastic project for us, says Virgin- away.’ tion, preparation, focus, inspiration and so on.’ ia Crompton, series producer, World Class 2012. Publicly unveiled on Monday by Roger ‘A key thing that connects athletes with other ambitious two year project Mosey, BBC director, London 2012, the groups is that they’ve all been or are still going ‘dreams’ initiative that so impressed the IOC This is about to school. Many of the athletes in World Olympic The run that left leading to London 2012 involves following 25 hopefuls from around Dreams will have left school only recently and the world for two years as they prepare for the might still have siblings there, as well as teach- Tim standing Olympics. inspiring people ers and coaches who remember them. In one of the largest story-gathering exer- ‘We will be talking to those schools as well ‘Salutary and a bit depressing,’ says Middle cises ever undertaken by the corporation, the and using sport as developing other ideas. For example, an In- East correspondent Tim Franks (on the participants, embracing household names and dian female boxer is featured in the series, so right) with a laugh when asked about those who are unknown outside their own to paint a bigger perhaps we could find out about her former his experiences of training alongside countries, will be filmed and interviewed by school and form a link with a school previous- Palestinian athlete Nader al Masri, one of correspondents and local producers from over- picture ly attended by a British female boxer.’ those featured in World Olympic Dreams. seas bureaux. Boxers, runners, judo stars, basketball play- ‘We started at my pace then changed The films – produced by the Newsgathering ers, cyclists, horse riders, fencers – all are rep- to Nader’s pace but I couldn’t keep up Film Unit – will have their first airing on July KEVIN BISHOP resented in World Olympic Dreams. for more than about 20 seconds. He was 27, when the BBC launches its Olympic web ‘We wanted a geographical spread, some just so quick and smooth, almost like portal. More will follow at two week intervals On the social media front, users will be in- male, some female, and a mix of the famous moving through the gears on a car, while on domestic and global outlets including BBC vited to follow their competitor of choice via like Usain Bolt and not so well known whose I flailed around. He doesn’t speak English, One’s Breakfast, the News Channel, World News Twitter and to use Facebook to send messages stories are interesting and reflect the Olympic but it hardly mattered as no words were Today’s GMT with George Alagiah, and World and interact with the athletes. dream,’ explains Kevin Bishop. necessary to convey my inadequacy!’ When it comes to contact sports, I’m to London 2012 is so linked to Kosovo’s News America – all the way through until The biggest challenge, according to Grant, ‘By featuring 25 athletes we hope there will Franks, a keen recreational runner who not the bravest of types. The thought Wanted: a volunteer to be hurled through the air own development. Through Majlinda, London 2012. who recently left the corporation, will be to something of interest for everyone.’ finished the 2004 London Marathon in of bulldozing my way through a rugby we are able to tell the Serbia-Kosovo If the stories are compelling enough they come up with and produce the ‘sheer vol- With a passion for sport, particularly foot- under four hours and, more recently, scrum or releasing my energy in a welcoming attitude make her look boasted about wanting to experience a But I don’t think I’ve got the makings of story in a new and refreshing way. That could even make their way on to the main ume of content that will be needed’ to inter- ball – he’s an avid supporter of QPR – and long completed a half marathon in Jerusalem, kick-box arena doesn’t really get me totally harmless. bit of judo first hand, smiled behind his a world champion in me. Except for the is the beauty of World Olympic Dreams. news bulletins, such as the Six and the One. est and entertain audiences over such a long experience as a newsgatherer and of working where he is based, found his meeting with going. So why would I volunteer to But when she tightened her black viewfinder. five seconds immediately preceding So we will follow Majlinda over the next Radio is involved too, principally Gabby Lo- time span. in foreign bureaux, Bishop describes his latest al Masri illuminating in other ways. be hurled through the air by a junior belt, gripped my arm and told me she Then, with seemingly no effort at all, the ‘Uki Goshi’, it was a huge pleasure two years with great enjoyment. And gan’s 5 live programme and World Service ‘But that’s where the BBC’s newsgathering role as his ‘dream job’. The 30 year old athlete, a 5000 metre world champion judo player from was going to perform an ‘Uki Goshi’ on this modest 18 year-old picked me off to spend time with Majlinda for the perhaps I’ll feel a little more relaxed where the 25 athletes will be among a much infrastructure and resources come into play,’ ‘I was really keen to get specialist, lives in Gaza, and has to get Kosovo? Well, you have to get into the me, my enthusiasm somehow vanished. the floor, threw me over her shoulder World Olympic Dreams project. She is when I stand before her on the judo mat larger group of global competitors (around 70) she notes. ‘The enthusiasm of correspondents involved with the Olym- permission from the authorities to train spirit of these things, I figured, and ‘Don’t resist,’ she said as she noticed and dropped me flat on my back. It was, an exciting athlete on which to focus – next time. to be profiled by the language sections in the to be a part of this has been tremendous.’ pics, and now here I am and travel outside the Gaza strip. anyway, Majlinda Kelmendi is smaller my lips pursing slightly. ‘You’ll be fine.’ I must admit, utterly painless. ‘You land- partly because of her skill and gentle Mark Lowen run-up to the games. It is a point reiterated by Amanda Farns- totally involved for ‘He is not among the world’s best 5000 and slimmer than I and her smile and My cameraman, to whom I’d previously ed well,’ she said, encouragingly. character, but also because her journey Belgrade correspondent But the core of World Olympic Dreams, fronted worth who says: ‘Everyone is very excited the next two and metre runners, but has been told that his by former rower Matthew Pinsent, will be on- about World Olympic Dreams. After all, it’s a half years.’ ability is such that if he left Gaza for six months for some high quality training, he could improve significantly,’ says Franks. Baghdad boat: Iraqi rower Punchy performer: Wheely good: French cyclist Foiled again: Ukrainian Go for it: Usain Bolt The BBC man, who runs every other Haider Rashid on the Tigris Indian boxer MC Marykom Julien Absalon fencer Olga Kharian is among 25 athletes day around Jerusalem, battling the ‘heat featured. As our photos and the hills’, was struck by the fact that, (left) show, the project although al Masri covers 150 kilometres a puts the spotlight on week, he makes his running shoes last a a range of sports year, whereas most elite athletes change theirs every couple of months. It was also apparent, he adds, that, with little money and four children to feed, he wasn’t getting enough nutrients for a distance runner, although the correspondent acknowledges that many other athletes are similarly disadvantaged. Franks is thrilled to be associated with World Olympic Dreams – both from a personal interest point of view and because of its potential to convey a bigger story. ‘Sport can be a powerful tool for telling people what is going on and how lives are led in different parts of the world,’ he says. 10 Opinion/Analysis a 20·04·10
‘Martha Kearney in Fess up, it’s a big ask to step da house’: he said it up to the plate on Radio 4 first…
After the latest protests about she’ll be talking about Cam- live. Mark Damazer, R4 con- eron’s shadow cabinet as his troller and self-confessed ‘ped- Americanisms and slang on the ‘posse’ and their wives as ‘hos’.’ ant’, agrees that the station The BBC News style guide has a particular job to do as BBC, Cathy Loughran asked some has specific advice on jar- guardian of best usage, but gon, vogue words and Amer- says judgements have to be insiders where they draw the line icanised English, including ‘grown up’. nouns as verbs. ‘Euthanise’ Damazer doesn’t object to is out, but what about ‘au- Americanisms sneaking in, doesn’t take much to get unruffled Kearney points out. thored’, ‘guested’, ‘civilian- as they always have, but to Radio 4 listeners manning the A burgeoning R4 mes- ise’ or ‘diarise’ (enter into a di- meaning being lost (‘disinter- linguistic barricades, so when sage board discussion, unset- ary)? ested’ used to mean ‘uninter- esteemed World at One present- tlingly entitled ‘Martha Kear- The rule of thumb is ‘not ested’). er Martha Kearney let slip a ney in da house!’, sprang up, to risk alienating the audi- He admits sending memos ‘fess up’ they felt well and followed by lurid headlines, ence by rushing to adopt new to tautology-prone presenters truly ‘dissed’. screaming ‘outrage at BBC words before their gener- who describe ‘weather events’ It didn’t matter that the slang’, under which reports al acceptance at large’. ‘Meet and ‘crisis situations’. ‘Going former political editor of listed more of the audience’s with’, ‘deliver on’ (a prom- forward’ and ‘at this moment Newsnight had been merely re- pet hates. ‘It’s a big ask’, ‘it ise), ‘free up’, ‘consult with’ in time’ are also on his hit peating back the words of her might of been’ and ‘take a and ‘outside of’ all require a list but he’s given up correct- interviewee Terry Smith, of look’ all featured strongly. health check. ing ‘impact’, as a verb: ‘That money brokers Tullett Prebon: ‘When did this language be- But expectations of Radio would now be obscurantist.’ ‘In other words, ‘fess-up’ was come acceptable English?’ one 4 are different from, say, Ra- And ‘fess up’, echoing some- in inverted commas,’ an poster wanted to know. ‘Next dio 1, 1Xtra and even Radio 5 one else’s words, is fine.
Allan Little, Charlie Partridge, Personal current world affairs correspondent editor, un-favourites include Radio Lincolnshire nouns as verbs – ‘dualling Isn’t the beauty of English pudding’. No it isn’t. The proof the carriageway’, ‘this door that it is open and flexible and of the pudding is in the eat- I hate ‘step up to the plate’, a is alarmed’ – plus ‘meeting susceptible to so many cross ing’. But best to avoid it alto- baseball term. We have a perfectly with’ and ‘going forward’. currents? ‘Fess up’ has a direct- gether. Put it to bed. It’s tired.’ useable alternative in ‘stepping up But clarity should be the ness, an informality that the stiff, to the wicket’, but I guess that is only rule. Language is heavier, judicial-sounding ‘con- not sexy enough. Maybe ‘make the fashion. If the audience fess to’ lacks. game his own’, ‘take the challenge’ understands what we’re I don’t care that it came from or something similar would do. It trying to communicate, America. Americans are fan- would certainly be more apt. if we’re speaking on the tastically articulate. They use Radio 5 live use SUTTP a lot, even in a radio as we would speak the English language beau- football context. So you get the ridicu- in life, and we’re reflecting tifully, and with wit and pa- lous situation where footballer Theo the patterns of our nache. Walcott is urged to ‘step up to the particular audience – If it enhances our language plate’ for Arsenal v Barca at the Camp then it’s all good. Peace and lets us say something in Nou. Plate? Where? out, Martha. a new way, it is, as they say in I have even heard cricketers, per- America, fine by me. ish the thought, being told that they John Ryan, editor Radio Manchester What I hate is sloppy unclear should ‘step up to the plate’. That’s usage, like ‘the proof is in the just ridiculous.
Jonathan Baker, director, Mark Mardell, North America editor BBC College of Journalism I am slightly torn on this. I walks’. But I also feel passion- have to confess that when the Lots of Americanisms have widely known in England – has am very much against report- ately that the huge strength bus driver in the morning asks passed into English almost un- permeated everyday speech: ers using American terms for of the English language is me how I am doing I don’t noticed. When I joined Radio ‘stepping up to the plate’, things when reporting to a its flexibility and willingness look at my feet and mutter: News, the style guide insisted ‘three strikes and you’re out’, British audience. People don’t to change. American idiom, ‘I’m fine thank you,’ in a rather that we refer to goods trains ‘ballpark figure’. All these feel travel on ‘mass transit’ but expressions and yes, gram- British way but reply: ‘Doing and lorries for example, never ok on the air to me. ‘public transport’; they walk mar, contribute hugely to the good.’ I probably wouldn’t do freight trains and As one who sits slightly on the on ‘pavements’, not ‘side- liveliness of our language. I that on Radio 4. trucks. That feels traditional side of the fence, like a long time the things that I notice and ago now. wouldn’t like to hear on the Robin Lustig,presenter, The World Tonight We are also hap- BBC are very small and insidi- Rachel Burden, presenter, Radio 5 live py to talk about ous: ‘Can I get a latte’ rather My view is mean ‘expand’ as to many long ones. ‘price hikes’ for than ‘can I have’. As for the The thing with 5 live is than contrived chumminess broadly that we in ‘the government Which is why I much example, which juxtaposition of ‘off’ that we talk on the radio as we or trying to sound ‘down with must speak the wants to grow the prefer ‘cash’ to we certainly and ‘of’ – as in, would talk off the radio, the kids’ – that’s just grim. same language that economy by two ‘available wouldn’t have ‘he fell off so the language is Listeners let you know our listeners do. For percent’ and ‘im- financial done then. It’s of the probably more immediately the Radio 4, that means pact’ as a verb, as in resourc- also interest- wall’ – I colloquial [than phrases or words being aware of who ‘we do not expect es’. ing how the think we Radio 4], al- they hate, so you our listeners are, this to impact nega- terminology should though I would become aware and their age pro- tively with voters’. of baseball – draw the hope also polite very quickly file. It also means As a basic prin- a game not line. and respectful. of lazy verbal being prepared ciple, I always There’s nothing crutches you to adapt as usage try to use few worse, though, might be prone to. adapts. short words in Pet hates: ‘grow’ to preference
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Marmite alert We acknowledge that the current revolv- ties needed, such as proper canteen/kitchen the multi-storey car park. Taking just 5 percent I suppose airline-style ing door access is not ideal for staff or visitors facilities for shift staff out of hours. of those – 40 spaces – would give enough space metal detectors and lug- and so we are awaiting delivery of the bespoke Gordon Conway for hundreds of bikes in a secure area along gage x-ray scanners are parts to make repairs. In the interim we will broadcast engineer, BBC Arabic and Persian with lockers (similar to the Media Centre un- a necessary precaution make more use of the side access door as the derground car park). for admitting BBC stu- entrance. BBC Workplace responds: One of the BBC’s Simon Still, dio audiences in these environment targets is to achieve a 25 percent business manager, online technology group, FM&T times of heightened reduction in water use per person. The provi- security. But what we Bureaucratic bulge sion of drinking water to our staff, however, is experienced endlessly I’m happy in my work (honest), and really just a legal requirement. Hands free queueing for Radio 4’s Vote look at the Ariel jobs page to assess the health Our preference is to offer a plumbed in The clock outside Television Centre is wrong. Now Show on Monday night at the Radio Thea- of our proud organisation. It’s a sign of the drinking water supply and this option is al- Has been for some time now. Shouldn’t some- tre seemed like overkill. tough times we live in that in the last edition ways considered when acquiring new space one fix it? A cut too far, shirley? Was it really necessary for security men to (April 13), there were just seven journalism or renovating existing space. The recent office Chas Geiger confiscate a short length of bungee cord and a jobs advertised and only eight in programme refurbishment in the White City building saw Radio News jar of Marmite from members of the audience? making. Evidence, should the Daily Mail need the installation of plumbed in drinking water Mark Percy it, that our leaders are starting to get tough on and removal of nearly 50 water dispensers. BBC Workplace tells us that a new mechanism On Demand team, tv newsroom waste and duplication. Only in areas where plumbed in facilities capable of supporting the original, relatively However, all is not lost. There may be no op- cannot be installed do we provide dispensers, heavy hands is being built to order. Build time portunities for anyone actually making things, and their numbers will continue to decrease is around eight weeks and the new mechanism Revolving problem but just look at the business support and man- as we refurbish offices or move to more mod- will be installed as soon as possible after de- Can someone please tell me when the doors agement column -- 22 vacancies. Even allow- ern buildings. livery. In the meantime, the hands have been into the Broadcast Centre are going to be ing for one of them being a real operational removed to prevent further confusion. fixed? One of the revolving doors is constantly job (security adviser), it’s hard not to conclude cordoned off and the other door is so difficult that our overpaid and flabby senior manage- Cyclists kept at bay to move that I am thinking of either enrolling ment class cares more for accountants, bu- The ‘puff piece’ for Salford (Ariel, April 6) once Log jam on a body building course or eating copious reaucrats and managerial posts than it does again highlights the inadequacy of cycling It took 20 minutes this morning for my BBC amounts of spinach, in order to build up the for programme content and journalism. provision at our new home in the North. We’re desktop to wend its merry way from logging muscles currently required to get the door to Patrick Howse told that there are ‘280 free cycle bays across in, to actually being usable, for -- well work. It’s move. sbj, newsgathering the site’ but these are open to the elements not terribly efficient is it? It doesn’t provide a good impression for visi- and insecure. After my ‘settings’ had finally loaded, and tors when they have to struggle to get in to the In recent weeks a colleague had a bike, se- just as I put finger to keyboard, suddenly the building, and surely it is a health and safety is- Turn on the tap cured with two locks, stolen from the racks computer decided it needed to update all its sue, if we cannot easily get out of the building A recent email stated that the bottled water between the Media Centre and White City on a software, and restart. in an emergency. suppliers to W1 have gone bust and another weekday lunchtime, and there has been a post I had been on leave, and presumably had Paula Cowin is being sought, but I ask why are we wasting on the Bike Shed forum reporting someone missed the increasingly urgent demands that I Broadcast media co-ordinator, FM&T licence payers/tax payers money on bottled seen brandishing a large set of bolt croppers allow it to sort out its troubled life. water? The tap water in this country is of a outside BH. Salford, like all large cities, has a But why not run the updates when I log off, Kate Smith, customer service director, BBC good standard and chilled by coolers available huge problem with bike theft and, when peo- rather than when I log on, and have the com- Workplace replies: The current issue with the around the building and the envy of many a ple have their cycles stolen, about two thirds puter quietly shut itself down when finished, revolving doors does not prevent people leav- person round this world. cycle less frequently and a quarter stop cycling as I head for the hills? It would be much better ing the building safely in the event of an emer- Transporting water by lorry is a ridiculous altogether. for both of us. gency as the doors are not part of the emer- way of behaving and unjustifiable. Bush House If the BBC is serious about its environmental Surely a system as sophisticated as that op- gency escape plan or provision. The separate and Wales have already got rid of these water credentials then it needs to provide covered, erated by Siemens could come up with a way access door on the side switches to free egress machines. secure, access controlled bike parking on the of making the magic happen. during a fire alarm and there are alternative So who is in charge and would care to jus- Salford site. Tom Symonds fire exits around the building. tify such waste? There are so many other facili- There are 800 car parking spaces allocated in transport correspondent, newsgathering
His next move was to BBC Bristol, where him to innovate across a range of factual OBITUARY he worked with the features production output. team and was Peter Salmon’s deputy when ‘Sam was much loved and much respect- he was head of tv features. He was execu- ed as an outstanding creative leader and Sam organ tive producer on series like A Secret World of programme maker, very much in demand Sex and A Labour of Love for BBC Two and pro- in London, Bristol and Cardiff,’ Salmon duced and co-directed the highly regarded said. Tributes have been paid to pioneering execu- BBC One series The Aristocracy in 1996. ‘He will be sorely missed both inside the tive producer Sam Organ, who has died, aged Organ left the BBC in 1999 for the inde- BBC and across the independent production 52. He had been ill for some time. pendent sector, at Flashback TV then RDF, sector for his bright and lively mind, his In a career that spanned some of the before rejoining the BBC in Wales. Over fine wit and brilliant editorial instincts. He most popular programmes in the BBC the past eight years he was a driving force leaves a wonderful legacy of award-winning factual catalogue, Organ was part of the in the renaissance of network production work. Our thoughts are with his family in founding team on Crimewatch UK, produced at BBC Wales. Bristol.’ oral history series like A Secret World of Sex He executive produced series such as Adrian Davies, head of factual and and worked with Bruce Parry on multi- Hidden Gardens and The British Museum, and music at BBC Wales, recalled ‘a wonder- award winning projects like Tribe and Ama- made huge contributions to the Bruce ful and inspirational colleague’ who had zon. Parry series Tribe and Amazon, for which worked in Cardiff for a decade on a string Most recently, he executive produced he won a Bafta in 2009. In his last days he of ‘groundbreaking projects’. BBC Wales’s acclaimed Last Chance to See was supervising Cardiff-based independ- ‘Sam was widely admired, not just be- series with Stephen Fry and Mark Carwar- ent producer Indus on Parry’s newest BBC cause of his editorial acumen – at which dine. Two series, The Arctic. he had no betters – but also as a person of Sam Organ joined the BBC on the produc- In 2009 Sam Organ received a Lifetime warmth and immense integrity. He will be tion trainees’ scheme in 1982, after graduat- Achievement Award from the Bristol Royal missed greatly by us all as a colleague and ing with a first class degree in PPE from for the 40 Minutes strand, Diary of a Frontliner Television Society. a friend.’ Keble College, Oxford. (1988) and London Lighthouse (1989) before Director of BBC North Peter Salm- Sam leaves his wife, the writer Rose Sha- At the Documentary and Features De- joining the launch team for Crimewatch on, paid personal tribute to a colleague piro, and their two daughters Isabel and partment he directed two acclaimed films which he went on to series produce. whose ‘extraordinary talents’ allowed Judith.
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To place a classified ad in Ariel please telephone 020 7878 2313 or email [email protected]. Alternatively, you may post your ad to: Ariel Advertising, Ten Alps Media, One New Oxford Street, High Holborn, London WC1A 1NU To place an ad online go to www.bbcarielads.com
14 Jobs See Attachment
In at the deep end 5 live sbj Trudi Barber on the white-knuckle ride of radio current affairs programmes ‘You’ve got a week to make a half hour docu- mentary about the snow and find a fresh news- line.’ That phone call sent a chill down my spine. Just seven days to produce my first ever documen- tary for Radio 4. It was my debut on The Report – with a reporter who’d never done ANY radio before. Daunted? Yes. Prepared to rise to the challenge? Definitely. On a Stepping Stones attachment from 5 live to Radio Current Affairs in Manchester, I was desperate to prove myself and impress, but I’d not made a doc- umentary since university. We’d already dumped programmes about out-of-hours GPs and British Airways two thirds of the way through, so this one was as timely and reactive as possible, but a change at this late stage was unprecedented. So we shot off in a road gritter, an air ambulance, the cab of a lor- ry and uncovered just how unprepared English lo- cal authorities were for January’s bad weather. The final edit was just 15 minutes before transmission. A week off to recover from 21 hour days, then on to my first File On Four. This time I looked at how high profile government IT projects were fail- ing. This time there were no hitches. Very rare. Ide- as fall down, guests are on holiday, whistleblowers change their mind. I’m used to frantic days as a re- porter, and sometimes on 5 live whole programmes are junked for breaking news, so I’ve learnt to react, fast. But it took me a while to soak up the differenc- es of long-form journalism. The research is more in-depth, you have time to challenge everything more vigorously, you slowly reveal your facts whereas I’m used to blurting it all out at the top. I struggled with this. I thought tran- scribing interviews for hours was old-fashioned un- til I had to make last minute changes and knew im- mediately who said what, when. Another challenge was Protools – I lost whole chunks of work, had to re-do hours of editing and had the fix-it man on fast dial. But while I muddled through, I was also able to pass on skills I take for granted. My programmes covered a wide range of subjects. I pitched lots of ideas that’ll never see the light of day. I tried some- thing new, kept my head above water and learnt an immense amount from some of the best in the business – six months well spent. Been anywhere nice? Send your attachment stories to Clare Bolt
14 OCTOBER 08 ARIEL a 20·04·10 What am I doing here 15 Hepburn Harrison-graham editor, 5 live sports extra foreign bureau You’ve just nabbed a nomina- play called The Spanish Tra- tion for Sony digital station of gedy, which was full of blood the year. Fancy your chances? CV and gore. The final scene was I don’t know. We’re up Education: Oxford Boys Grammar School; diploma from a masquerade where we don- against two commercial mu- ned fishnet stockings and high sic stations – Absolute Ra- Webber Douglas Academy of Dramatic Art, London heels before tearing off the dio and Planet Rock. But as First Job: tax officer in my home town of Oxford disguise and getting on with Paulo they say at the Olympics, it’s Career highlight: Working in Hollywood and for the Royal the killing. Just before I went not the winning that mat- Shakespeare Company; my documentary on Martin Luther on, I looked in the mirror and Cabral ters but the taking part. And thought, I can’t do this any as they say at the Oscars, King from the Atlanta Olympics, which was a turning point more. It’s a young man’s game. Correspondent, Brazil it’s great to be nominated. in my career; Superbowl 1997, Mike Tyson v Francois Botha. Then what? Sports extra is 5 live’s digital I was listening to Radio 2’s co- So, what do you know about Brazil? sister. How does that relation- were huge successes for us. How big is your team? verage of the 1992 Barcelona Carnival, football, beautiful beaches, a never- ship work? The action took place over- Just me and Jen [producer Jen- Olympics – to the wonderful ending disposition to partying, the Amazon, 5 live has the rights to the night and people really tucked nifer McAllister]. She handles commentators telling us abo- the ‘favelas’ and crime are the things that big sporting events, but it in to our rolling highlights all the nitty gritty and liai- ut Linford Christie and John most usually come to mind when thinking of can’t cover them all. If there loop each morning. And when sing with 5 live. She tells me Regis. But I didn’t hear any the largest country in Latin America. I recently are two huge football mat- England won the Ashes in what we’re doing and I find the black voices. I wrote a letter spent a couple of weeks in London talking to ches taking place at the same 2009 our audience nudged a staff, most of them freelan- about it to the head of radio editors from across the BBC , and virtually all time, we’ll pick up the se- million. That was my ambi- cers. Jen’s been at the station sport at the time, Mike Lewis. of them said that Brazil is ‘undercovered’ by cond match. If football’s up tion when I took over and we since the start and deserves He happened to be a huge fan the BBC. Maybe that’s because the country against Six Nations rugby, had half a million listeners. I great credit for all her input, of classical theatre and had lacks major tragedies – like earthquakes or we’ll have the leftover. Everyt- was told it couldn’t be done. dedication and enthusiasm. seen me in a 1984 producti- wars – that tend to attract attention. hing 5 live can’t do, we’ll do. But she’s not going to Salford. on of Richard III with Antho- But it does seem that lately the interest With no regular program- What about the World Cup? ny Sher at Stratford. He gave from international media in Brazil is increas- mes, no presenters and ir- We’ll pick up the slack. Not Oh dear. Are you? me a three month contract. ing and going beyond traditional samba- regular hours, sports extra sure how many matches we’ll Yes. In an ideal world one party-crime issues. This has been going on isn’t your average station… do but there will definitely be wouldn’t want to be uproo- So you were able to switch that over the last few years – particularly after We’re about live, uninterrup- coverage on sports extra. It de- ted, but in many ways it’s actorly voice to sport? President Lula came to power – but a big ted commentary, not built pends how the fixtures fall. a brave new world in the Mike loved my voice, but I was boost came with the world financial crisis. programmes. There’s no North. God knows where we’ll lousy at reading the cricket Brazil was among the last countries to face chat, no studio analysis, just find a new Jen, though. scores – performing and broa- recession, one of the first to recover from a five minute build up befo- I was listening to dcasting are two very different it and, during the re the commentary kicks in. Did you always see your future skills. So I moved into produ- The height of the cri- Radio 2’s coverage in radio? cing, first bulletins and then sis, it was not hit How far ahead do you plan? I had three great ambitions programmes like Hoops, for difficulties nearly as badly as We work six weeks in advan- of the Barcelona – to be an actor, to work in basketball fans, and Sports Ame- other major econ- ce, but we can’t always predict the media or to work in law. rica, for US sports lovers. My ahead are omies. the schedule. If Andy Murray Olympics but heard I chose option one, went big break was when I was se- Some signs is in a Masters Series event, to drama school and spent lected to go to the 1996 Olym- neither few are encouraging: for instance, we won’t know no black voices, so 20 years as an actor. I was pics in Atlanta. I became a bo- poverty is being when he’s playing until the in EastEnders in 1990/91. xing producer, did OBs… it’s nor minor reduced with more night before, which means I wrote a letter been a gradual upward curve. and more peo- you need to recruit producti- Really? ple entering the middle class through the on staff at the drop of a hat. I played bad boy Vince John- Bet you’ve had some hot sport- door of economic stability, Brazil’s political Andy Murray is a nightmare. son and had many scenes with ing tickets? leadership in South America is clear, recent Frank Butcher [Mike Reid]. I did I’ve had some great nights oil findings and investments in bio-fuels Tell me about the range of a lot of tv and some Hollywood ringside – world title fights place the country in an enviable position in sports the station covers movies. I was in Cry Freed- with Mike Tyson, Lennox Le- an energy hungry world and global investors Cricket’s our number one. om with Denzel Wash- wis, Joe Calzaghe, Ricky Hatton seem to look at the country with increasing Sports extra is the home of ington and Dirty Rotten – but my best OB was the 1997 confidence. Test Match Special. It still goes Scoundrels with Steve Superbowl in New Orleans. I But the difficulties ahead are neither few out on Radio 4 long wave, Martin and Michael hate American football but nor minor. The country still has hard work but we don’t break for the Caine. I also trai- this was just me, a commen- to do on education and health care. And Shipping Forecast, Daily Ser- ned as a classical tator and a summariser filling there is the major challenge of exploring the vice or Yesterday in Parlia- actor and spent four to five hours of radio. The wealth of the Amazon without destroying it. ment. We have a loyal Rug- two seasons game has so many stops and In the streets of Brazil it is clear that by League audience. When with the Roy- starts – it was a great chance optimism is high. But there is always an sports extra was listened to al Shakespea- to be creative. The Americans element of scepticism: for decades Brazil- by one man and a dog, that re Company. are passionate about the event ians have heard that they are in ‘the country man was a Rugby League fan. – and I loved it. That said, of the future’, but that future never seemed Then there’s football, boxing, Why give it up? I’ve never watched an Ame- to arrive. Will it be different this time? Will athletics, tennis, golf, Para- I enjoyed it un- rican football match since. Brazil remain on this path to prosperity or lympic and extreme sports. til 1991. We will it derail once more? The answers to From the US, we have NFL – were do- Interview by Claire Barrett those questions will demand a lot of atten- provided by an indie – and ing a tion and understanding from all journalists NBA basketball. We working in the country. can’t buy our own For that, we can count on the disposi- rights; it’s not tion of Brazilians to talk about pretty much part of our remit. anything. In recording vox-pops, for exam- ple, the difficulty is not in getting people to Any station speak but to make them stop. Brazilians love highlights? complaining about their country but are im- The Summer mensely proud of it. And even with all the Olympics in Bei- problems I am, as a Brazilian myself, quite jing and Win- happy to see that the general image of the ter Olympics country abroad is very positive. in Vancouver
> CONTACT CLARE BOLT to suggest a colleague for this feature 16 a 20·04·10 green room ▲ THE ARIELAT0R WE HEAR THAT. . . A weekly take on life at the BBC: Who’d have thought a show about a Doc- ▲ who’s up, who’s down, who’s off tor with two hearts who travels through time and space in a blue telephone box was partly ▲ inspired by hallucinogenic drugs? BBC Archives’ publication of Doctor Who related documents ▲ through the ages has revealed that the Doctor’s regenerations – where he morphs from one ac- ▲ tor to another – were modelled on an LSD trip gone awry. ‘It is as if he has had the LSD drug and instead of experiencing the kicks, he has ▲ the hell and dank horror which can be its effect,’ reads an internal memo from swinging 1966. It ▲ UPSIDE It’s nearing that time of the year describes the ‘metaphysical change’ as a ‘hor- when otherwise sensible people pour on to the rifying experience’ in which the Doctor ‘relives ▲ streets of London to jog 42km alongside fright- some of the most unendurable moments of his eningly fit professional runners and frighten- long life, including the galactic war’. And you ▲ ingly unfit people in giant chicken suits. We’re thought your hangover last Sunday was bad… sure plenty of you are taking part, but could ▲ Blue Peter be taking the award for the most Confusion in BBC Manchester as to whether people in a single production team? PA to the a certain Baltimore cop has joined the radio cur- editor Ruth McGarahan, interactive researcher rent affairs unit. Could The Wire’s Jimmy McNulty ▲ Ellie Buckland, studio PA Lizzie Search and pro- have swapped his police work for an investiga- duction co-ordinator Clemmie Chamberlain tion with Radio 4’s The Report? Alas no, it’s just ▲ (pictured, l to r) are all going to be braving the reporter Morland Sanders. A number of people streets for an assortment of different chari- (okay, seven) have commented on his uncanny ▲ ties. Between them they’ve raised over £8000, resemblance to the British actor Dominic West, which they hope to increase to £10,000. who played the tough-talking officer. ‘Although
▼ Donate at: tinyurl.com/elliebu; tinyurl.com/ a six year-old © HBO ruthmacg; tinyurl.com/Clemmie7; tinyurl.com/ The Wax girl I was in- ▼ Lizziese terviewing re- cently thought ▼ DOWNSIDE From I resembled the space-age Factor ‘the man from grooming pods of Channel 5, Ian ▼ the Media Centre to The ever modest BBC, always wary BBC’s policy prevents him from ei- Wright,’ Mor- the stark utility of of self promotion and mindful of ed ther pointing to it on air or directing land tells Ariel. Any cop? Morland (left) and West ▼ White City, toilet facil- pol rules, can’t get stuck into the kind to it from his own website. ‘After further ities around the BBC of flagrant self-publicity exhibited His production team had to get interrogation, ▼ can vary. But seldom by some of its more commercially creative, and a range of posters it transpired she meant Matthew Wright. I think do they reach the minded competitors, or indeed our (above) have begun popping up I’ll probably go for Dominic West out of the two.’ ▼ height of rugged out- vote-happy politicians. So when the around BBC buildings. ‘We’ve been door charm as that offered by the new ‘Luxury team behind Waqas ‘Wax’ Saeed’s going heavy on flyers,’ confirms pro- Hang on to your shoulder pads, crack out Portable Toilets’ (pictured) currently in use at early breakfast Asian Network show ducer Farah Mehmood. ‘Everyone in the cassettes and spray champagne over any ▼ BBC Lincolnshire. The station is in the privileged heard the presenter was up for a Brum now knows who Wax is.’ deep-rooted social divisions – the 80s is back position of getting its normal toilets done up, Sony Radio award, they had to be We should also mention that 6Mu- in May in the form of a new BBC One season. In it ▼ which meant in the meantime everyone had to clever about securing support. sic’s Jarvis Cocker is up for the same we’ll see what the likes of Martin Amis made of use the one disabled loo. Which duly flooded. Wax is up for the Rising Star award, award, but somehow we can’t quite the decade, but how do you remember the time? ▼ They have now been forced to take delivery the only one voted for entirely by the picture the bearded balladeer trudg- Whether it’s giant mobile phones or unpayable of two of the aforementioned cubicles, which public. But there’s a catch – as the ing the streets on the campaign trail. loans, send your defining memory, ideally with ▼ are currently residing in the staff car park. Let’s award website promotes Sony, the Unless he sees what Wax is up to… an embarrassing photograph, to Adam Bambury. hope the new ones are worth it, eh? Win a mobile phone EARWIGGING weller wows ‘em The latest widget-packed smart- OVERHEARD AT THE BBC He may claim to be a Changing Man, phone with eight billion mega-pixel but after 30 years in the biz it seems camera and auto-tweet technology …Stop making me repeat Paul Weller can still cause a stir. may excite your technically minded myself or I’m going to come The Modfather was in BH’s Radio pals, but try giving it to an elderly down there and beat you... Theatre last week recording a gig for relative and you may be met with a Radio 2 In Concert, a new show cel- less enthusiastic response. …Sorry I’m late – I had to ebrating the best live music on the The PowerTel M6000 is Ampli- network which goes out on Thurs- com’s new simplified phone wait for my farrier… days at 8pm. Host Jo Whiley was on aimed at the 4.5 million over- hand to introduce him to an eager 65s in the UK who don’t own a …Can I touch it? I want to see audience unwilling to let the 6.30pm mobile. It features big buttons, how soft it is... start get in the way of a good gig. a 4.3cm colour screen with Despite having a new album to easy to read fonts, an extra …I tricked you with my acne... promote, Weller wasn’t above sprin- loud ringer and loudspeaker, kling some classics into the set list. and is hearing aid compatible. …I was having a drink with Heaven 17 the One surprise was a sultry trip-hop Ready for use on any network, it also con- other day... version of Wild Wood, guest singer tains a ‘man down’ fall detector and hidden SOS Rox’s soulful vocals and a pounding panic button. …We’re promoting drugs this morning – we bass line making it sound more Mas- We have one Amplicom PowerTel M6000 (rrp did alcohol yesterday... sive Attack than Mod. Evidently the £99) to give away. To enter to win one, tell us: changing man still has a few tricks up What does the ‘SIM’ stand for in the phrase ‘SIM …I did not send you tactile porn!... Classic cuts: Paul Weller his sleeve after all. card’? Email ariel.competitions by April 26. > IF YOU HAVE A STORY FOR THE GREEN ROOM, CONTACT ADAM BAMBURY