July/August 2020 Is TV just painting over the cracks? Television www.rts.org.uk September 2013 1 HOW DO WE CREATE MODERN ORCHESTRAL MUSIC? We fuse a classical approach with modern production techniques – from epic, panoramic and inspirational to bold new hybrid soundscapes. From big screen to small, tell incredible stories with Modern Orchestral music. Find out more Naomi Koh [email protected] | +44 (0)207 566 1441 MODERN ORCHESTRAL_AD SUITE_A4_FA_2.indd 1 24/06/2020 11:28:33 Journal of The Royal Television Society July/August 2020 l Volume 57/7 From the CEO Diversity and inclusion the coming months and look forward the time to talk to the RTS at a very are back at the fore- to hearing other perspec tives on this demanding time for anyone running a front of the political hugely important issue. news operation. Thanks, too, to Stew- agenda. Everyone who It may be summer, and we are only art Purvis for chairing this session. works in the media just emerging from lockdown, but it’s Also outstanding was the “Back in business is doing some been another frantic period for RTS production” event in which John soul-searching. Broad- events. Our national and regional Whiston explained to the RTS how casters and platform owners have centres have excelled by putting on ITV successfully restarted filming its responded to the new impetus of the some extraordinary webinars and two super soaps, Coronation Street and Black Lives Matter movement by virtual events, some of which have Emmerdale. announcing fresh initiatives in order to made a splash internationally and Finally, congratulations to all the tackle what remains a serious struc- attracted large audiences. Huge winners of the RTS Student Television tural problem in the UK TV sector. thanks to all of you who have been Awards 2020. Our cover story is by veteran diver- involved in these events, especially sity campaigner Marcus Ryder and the panellists and producers. provides a valuable and passionate At HQ, we’ve had another month of contribution to the diversity debate. must-watch lunchtime events. I’m We will be returning to this topic in thrilled that Fran Unsworth could find Theresa Wise Cover: The recently unveiled mural on the EastEnders set by Contents Nottingham-born artist Neequaye Dsane, aka Dreph (BBC) Emma Scott’s TV Diary The trouble with experts Emma Scott realises that she does not want to swap TV Dr Charlie Easmon casts a sceptical eye at the TV 5 for teaching – and succeeds in Hollywood via Zoom 18 pundits proffering their expertise during the pandemic Working Lives: stunt co-ordinator The joy of difference Gangs of London stunt co-ordinator Jude Poyer An RTS event unlocks the secrets that made 6 is interviewed by Matthew Bell 20 BBC One drama The A Word such a success Comfort Classic: Father Ted The real cost of lockdown ‘Fathers… finish your breakfast and come outside for your Television’s freelance workforce is suffering mentally 8 daily punishment.’ Steve Clarke applauds a comedy gem 22 and financially from the impact of the pandemic Ear Candy: Talking Sopranos Mining for TV gold HOW DO WE CREATE MODERN Steve Schirripa and Michael Imperioli’s podcast is BBC One’s The Luminaries brings a subversive edge 9 perfect for bingeing on The Sopranos, says Kate Holman 24 to period drama. Caroline Frost learns how it was done ORCHESTRAL MUSIC? Why black lives have to matter more Why we love property shows Commitment at the top is vital if ethnic minorities are to Series that hook into viewers’ obsession with their 10 achieve equality in the TV sector, insists Marcus Ryder 26 homes are here to stay, says an expert RTS panel We fuse a classical approach with modern production An opportunity for change Lockdown winners The BBC’s new Director-General, Tim Davie, needs to be Viewing of linear channels has surged, but not as much techniques – from epic, panoramic and inspirational 12 bold, argues Roger Mosey 28 as it has for on-demand services such as Netflix to bold new hybrid soundscapes. Keep it safe, keep it simple Our Friend in Leeds The RTS takes a detailed look at the new working John Whiston hails a TV doctor like no other – and still 14 methods getting programmes back into production 30 finds time to dance the coronavirus two-step From big screen to small, tell incredible stories with No compromise on impartiality RTS Student Television Awards 2020 Modern Orchestral music. BBC news chief Fran Unsworth says the corporation must Matt Richardson and Siobhan Greene hosted a virtual 16 hold those in power to account – without editorialising 31 ceremony sponsored by Motion Content Group Editor Production, design, advertising Royal Television Society Subscription rates Printing Legal notice Find out more Steve Clarke Gordon Jamieson 3 Dorset Rise UK £115 ISSN 0308-454X © Royal Television Society 2020. [email protected] [email protected] London EC4Y 8EN Overseas (surface) £146.11 Printer: FE Burman The views expressed in Television News editor and writer Sub-editor T: 020 7822 2810 Overseas (airmail) £172.22 20 Crimscott Street are not necessarily those of the RTS. Naomi Koh Matthew Bell Sarah Bancroft E: [email protected] Enquiries: [email protected] London SE1 5TP Registered Charity 313 728 [email protected] | +44 (0)207 566 1441 [email protected] [email protected] W: www.rts.org.uk Television www.rts.org.uk July/August 2020 3 MODERN ORCHESTRAL_AD SUITE_A4_FA_2.indd 1 24/06/2020 11:28:33 Proud sponsors of the RTS Student Television Awards TV diary Emma Scott realises that she doesn’t want to swap TV for teaching – and finds that Zoom helps her to succeed in Hollywood t’s the end of an era. The ■ Pitching our slate to Hollywood ■ During lockdown, the power of country is slowly easing out executives via Zoom wasn’t part of the revitalised Beano brand reached of lockdown. Against the the plan. new heights. The comic production odds, we’ve delivered a show I soon discovered that all pretence line kept going and delivered each to the BBC and become sur- and poker face go out the window week, just as it did in the Second prising best mates with the on Zoom. World War. Bank of England, and I’m We’ve encountered many LA- My most delightful and bizarre leaving the Beano for new adventures. based kids, cats, dogs and a truly lockdown moment was being quoted IOur brilliant Beano team adapted to disastrous exploding coffee cup. Not alongside Andrew Bailey, the Gover- lockdown at lightning speed, despite forgetting the behind-the-scenes nor of the Bank of England, on the some becoming quite poorly with hysteria in my home and total bans front page of the Financial Times. Covid-19 symptoms. We mobilised on streaming anything in case it We had been working with the everyone to work from home early messed with the wi-fi. bank to produce Beano-inspired and we’ve kept all content production These glitches and travails of tech learning materials to help kids better across TV, digital and the comic on have, ironically, brought levity, understand money. track. Endless innovation, creativity warmth and greater acceptance. The launch was brought forward and cheer has shone through. After all, we are all in this together. to help teachers with home learning. And did I mention it? We even The press exploded with joy at the ■ At home, my two teenage daugh- managed to sell two shows. prospect of Dennis and Minnie help- ters somewhat reluctantly adjusted to ing kids to understand interest rates. me being around a lot more. Funnily ■ Over on the kids’ side of the busi- A skill we all may need in the com- enough, I quickly discovered I was ness, I’ve seen the sheer ingenuity and ing months and years.… never destined to be a teacher. Home hard graft that go into keeping our pro- schooling is officially a nightmare. duction of Dennis & Gnasher: Unleashed! ■ And then, amid all the madness, I Give me working in telly any day. on schedule for CBBC this month. decided it was time for me to leave Beano Studios producers Tim Searle, Beano Studios. ■ Mark Talbot has powered away. He Karina Stanford-Smith and Louise After five and half years, I want to joined us from Hat Trick Productions Condie, along with the BBC’s Jo Allen, do something new. to head up our teen/young adult slate have created a really fun, witty show. Taking an old and iconic comic and based on the comic archive. Working with our fantastic anima- turning it into a digital-first entertain- In March, he told me that you can’t tion producers, Jellyfish, they have ment business has been a rollercoaster do a writer’s room by Zoom. “Rubbish,” kept the show on track. Before lock- ride. I’m really proud of what we’ve I said, and then, of course, he totally down Jellyfish managed to move a achieved. nailed it: the Beanoverse came alive. team of 250, including 57 artists and I will be cheering from the sidelines, Suddenly, writers are at even more of 30 animators, to work from home. looking out for the commissions, a premium, but you can get the atten- Their work is outstanding. while lying down in a darkened room tion of directors and on-screen talent We are on air in mid-July. I could for a little while. because they’re not stuck on a set. As not be happier that we’re delivering a a result, our projects now have addi- dose of much-needed joy and laughs Emma Scott is the outgoing CEO of tional quality creative talent attached.