manchester

I’ve always loved going on rollercoasters: the sharp curves, sudden changes of direction and speed – a few minutes of pleasure to take you out of the norm. But too much of anything is never good, is it? And it feels like our industry has been on this particular ride for too long.

I can’t really compare these last few years since Covid to a fairground ride. It’s certainly not as enjoyable. But, in the North West, us TV folk like a challenge. We rise to it. The ups and downs are something we have always ridden.

The future of the RTS, especially in the regions, is about ensuring that it has a relevance and a clear purpose. And this must be a real purpose for all – from new recruits to industry heavyweights. We need events that inspire, challenge and make us question the direction of travel for our sector, while ensuring there are opportunities to make new connections and unexpected partnerships.

Since the pandemic, it is true that we have all been grappling with the best forum to have conversation and debate, and thinking about the spaces and places in which we come together.

The ceremony was held at The Alan Hotel in Manchester on 23 March.

RTS North West Student Television Awards winners

Hosted by museum director Nick Merriman and Egyptologist Campbell Price, the tour offered a behind-the-scenes look at the wealth of history held beyond the public eye at the institution in its vast archives.

Ancient Egyptian mummies, Roman ruins, jewellery and artefacts from across the globe were on display as members were given exclusive access to the inner workings of the museum while their hosts discussed the items in great detail.

A cocktail reception in the museum’s great hall ended an inspiring evening at a superb location.

An RTS North West event at the Lowry Theatre, Salford at the end of October – “Children’s drama: from concept to screen” – looked at how the best shows are put together.

On the panel assembled for the event were the executive producer of The Worst Witch, Marcus Wilson; senior drama producer, CBBC Independents, Amy Buscombe; Lime Pictures drama chief Rebecca Hodgson; and Hank Zipzer producer Jim Poyser. The panel was chaired by head of CBBC production Helen Bullough. 

The two-minute piece, featuring original choreography by Khan, and music by Vincenzo Lamagna, features the ballet’s artistic director and Lead Principal Tamara Rojo.

In the piece, Rojo dances around the 360º space, leaving a trail of light and dust behind her, which maps out the course of her movements.

Ahead of the launch of the piece, Sky has released a behind-the-scenes 360º teaser trailer.

The full Giselle VR experience will then become one of the first pieces available on Sky’s new virtual reality app, which will launch in October 2016.

This was one of the key findings of new research undertaken by the BBC looking at a style of television often described as “poverty porn” by TV reviewers.

The study was unveiled at a conference in Manchester, Who Benefits? TV and Poverty.

The event was backed by the RTS, the BBC, the Joseph Rowntree Foundation and the National Council for Voluntary Organisations.

Click here to watch the full video of the event.