Images of Afghanistan

A welter of emotions and images led me to write this blog in the days before Christmas. Particularly the images of people crossing the English channel and the Mediterranean – and often dying in the attempt – desperately trying to reach a place of safety from Afghanistan, Iraq, Yemen, Syria. Many people, myself included, know… Continue reading Images of Afghanistan

Life, the universe, and everything

Back on this blog after an embarassingly enormous hiatus… The 5-part documentary series ‘Universe’ with Professor Brian Cox, started its run last night on BBC2 in the UK, with an episode called The Sun: God Star. The whole series also landed on iPlayer. You can see a trailer of it here. I watched the film,… Continue reading Life, the universe, and everything

Voting for Little Britain or the wider world

The UK General Election is tomorrow, May 7th. One of the issues in the Conservative manifesto is the pledge to hold a referendum about whether the UK stays in the European Union. But it’s barely featured in this election campaign. The London correspondent of German paper Die Welt has noticed this, but I haven’t seen much else.… Continue reading Voting for Little Britain or the wider world

From Hamlet to Richard III – history brought to life

I took part in a live-action role play a couple of weeks ago, called Inside Hamlet at Kronborg castle in Denmark. It was set in the 1930s, giving a whole new spin to Shakespeare’s tale. I learnt a massive amount about what history means by acting it out (as a Lutheran exorcist priest).   And… Continue reading From Hamlet to Richard III – history brought to life

Are games the way to reach TV audiences?

Still on my Transfer Deadline theme, yesterday the BBC had a couple of outside experts giving their views on the players who might be on the market.Fifa Interactive World Cup 2014 Grand Final competitor David Blytheway and Football Manager expert Alex Stewart provided insight and analysis of players involved in deals from a gamer’s perspective.Got me thinking… Continue reading Are games the way to reach TV audiences?

A transfer window for TV production companies?

For me today is going to be a challenge to focus on work while keeping an eye on the info-fest that is Transfer Deadline Day. For those that aren’t into football, it’s one of the two days in the year (the other is the end of August) when the transfer window closes, and clubs are… Continue reading A transfer window for TV production companies?

My week at FIPA, a TV festival by the sea

I’ve just spent a few days at FIPA in Biarritz,  France. That’s the Festival International de Programmes Audiovisuels. A few thoughts from my time there. There’s something about waves, beaches and lighthouses that is very inspiring. Even though I didn’t actually get to the beach. Being in a beautiful venue with big windows, the Bellevue, made… Continue reading My week at FIPA, a TV festival by the sea

The factual shows in 2015 that I haven’t seen yet

I know It might be a bit late to do some predictions for 2015, but here they are anyway. Some thoughts on what I’m looking forward to in 2015. If they exist already, please send me a link! Something that uses the visceral thrill of stunt bike descents and builds a proper story around it.… Continue reading The factual shows in 2015 that I haven’t seen yet

I went to the ATF in Singapore to see what half the world is watching

Last week’s Asia TV Forum was my first visit, and my first visit to Singapore. Plenty of channels, distributors, funding organisations and producers in an airy exhibition floor in the huge Singapore Convention centre. The event was organised by Reed Midem, with support from the impressive Media Development Authority of Singapore. It was good to… Continue reading I went to the ATF in Singapore to see what half the world is watching

on indie production and public service media

Back to Copenhagen after a week in London. I spent it catching up with production companies, distributors, and going to a day at the Televisual Factual Festival. Well moderated panels on Specialist Factual, Popular Factual, and how to make docs in danger zones,  an interview with Ralph Lee of Channel 4, and a room full… Continue reading on indie production and public service media