REPORT FROM THE JUDGING PANELS

I was delighted to be invited to be the Chair of Judges for this year’s awards. This is the most important showcase for programme makers and content producers in the North East and Border’s calendar. Taking responsibility for the judging process is a simultaneously daunting and exciting task.

I was fortunate to be able to take up the baton from last year’s chair Agnes Wilkie after she had initiated a full review of the categories following feedback from the last awards event. It is always good to get feedback from colleagues and practitioners.

I would like to thank everyone who entered this year. Although a couple of categories were not as well subscribed as previous years, the overall standard of entries was impressive and enthusiasm for the event is as strong as ever. You will see some truly brilliant work in the category shortlists.

If you have entered, I hope you enjoy being part of this amazing showcase of talent and achievement. And if you haven’t put your work forward this year, there’s always next year!

A big thank you finally to our fantastic judges — drawn from across the country and with an awesome range of skills and experience. To have this calibre of judges, willing to give their time and energy, is a reflection of the reputation and excellence of the content produced in our region. I am grateful to all of these individuals with their outstanding track records in the world of television and digital media. Giving us the gift of your time is an enormous contribution. Receiving the feedback from each of the panels has made me realise just what a difficult task the judges have faced. but they rose to the challenge with generous enthusiasm and fair-mindedness.

Finally, thanks to my RTS colleagues for their hard work during the process, in particular to Julie Jude and Joanna Makepeace who were a massive support to me as Chair of Judges. I honestly could not have done this without them.

Samantha Stamp
Chair of the Judges, 2012
Royal Television Society, North East and the Border Centre

Our heartfelt thanks go to the Judges:

Graeme Aldous, Teeafit Sound & Vision
Ravi Amaratunga, Creative Diversity Editor, Random Acts, Channel 4
Pip Banyard, Freelance Producer
Mike Bolland, Finestripe Productions
Roxy Bramley, Creative Industry Manager, NFM
Caroline Broome, TV Floor Manager
Fahima Chowdhury, Production Manager
John Cook, Edge Post Production
Caroline Cooper-Charles, Senior Talent Executive, Creative England
Ian Cundall, Network Editor, BBC
Mike Dicks, Digital Media Consultant and Entrepreneur
Mario Dubois, Digital Consultant
Carole Dunlop, Digital Manager, TRCmedia
Paul Edwards, Director of Photography
Tony Edwards, Independent Director, Alto
John Harkins, Brilliant Trees Media
Warren Harrison, Creative Director, Media/TV Production, Teesside University
Olwyn Hocking, Digital Voice for Communities
Judith Holder, Director. Northern Upstart
Steve Hunneysett, Managing Partner, re:production
Kim Inglis, News and Current Affairs Presenter
Chris Jackson, BBC Presenter
Garth Jeffery, former BBC Head of Resources
Rob Lawson, Media Consultant
Mark Lediard, Director, Dene Films,
Christine Llewellyn Reeve, Independent Broadcast Media Professional
Patrick Low, Producer, Standing Stone
Carole Machin, Industry Engagement Manager
Joanna Makepeace, Talent Development Manager, University of Sunderland
Beth Matthews, Producer, Standing Stone
Barbara McKissack, Media Consultant
Liz Mcleod, Executive Producer, True North
Mark Murray, Director, Northern Upstart
Gerry Northam, BBC Radio 4
Lesley Oakden, former Head of Children’s Television, ITV Tyne Tees
Steve Paton, Camera Operator
Ed Pugh, Freelance Producer
Tom Speight, BBC College of Journalism
Helen Spencer, BBC Producer
Mick Stockton, Principal Lecturer in Business Engagement, Teesside University
Vicky Taylor, Comm. Editor New Media, News/Current Affairs, Channel 4 News
Paul Tucker, University of The West of Scotland
Ed Webster, 4Creative
Agnes Wilkie, Deputy Director, BALTIC Centre for Contemporary Art
Gayle Woodruffe, Production Service Manager, NFM
Susie Wright, Media Projects Manager, Channel 4.