Since Jeremy Clarkson punched his Top Gear producer, Oisin Tymon, during a row over the lack of a hot meal, the problems of managing talent have been centre stage.
Former BBC Controller of Entertainment Commissioning Jane Lush said that the fracas distilled some of the key questions that executives and programme-makers face: “How powerful is talent, where do you draw the line on bad behaviour and is top talent really irreplaceable?”
The European Commission is determined to tear down regulatory walls and move from 28 national markets to a Digital Single Market. TV’s independent sector harbours strong doubts, especially if geo-blocking, which prevents content crossing borders, is outlawed.
In Humans, the Channel 4 hit drama, the latest must-have gadget is a synth, a life-like humanoid who undertakes a range of tasks around the home.
From companionship to carrying out domestic duties, we asked members of the public what they would like their synth to do.
Today, there is more power in your pocket than in Buzz Aldrin’s wildest dreams, thanks to the rise and rise of the smartphone. This was the starting point for a high-speed peek at how mobiles are changing and building on television content, from potentially enriching natural history programmes to explaining magic tricks.
Audiences at the Cambridge Convention have grown accustomed to Ofcom chiefs who either “don’t think television is as special as people who work in television think it is” (Stephen Carter), or who are not averse to regulating more of the BBC (Ed Richards).
Since taking command at Discovery Communications in 2007, David Zaslav has conquered the world. The US giant now operates in 230 countries – and is still expanding.
Eurosport was added to its roster of channels in 2014 and the rights to the Olympics Games nabbed this summer.
“We are a global company and more global than any other media company in the world. We have more employees outside the US than we do in the US. We make more money outside the US,” said Zaslav.
There is little agreement about whether increasing US ownership of Britain’s independent sector threatens or sustains home-grown production and the UK’s unique creative culture.
A feisty session at the Convention, “Working for the yankee dollar? Consolidation and creativity”, offered conflicting views, not only on foreign ownership but also on the surprise review into the terms of trade announced by minister John Whittingdale the day before.
John Whittingdale was introduced by Convention Chair Tony Hall as “a rare beast, a politician who watches television”, and he began his speech by reminding delegates that, for him, this convention was no baptism of fire.
His first appearance at Cambridge came 12 years ago as Shadow Secretary of State for Culture; he had set up his own panel to review the future funding of the BBC. Then, as now, the corporation’s Charter and licence fee were the key issues on the agenda.
It is a skillfully woven story, brought to life with animation and puppetry that both pokes fun and unravels economic conundrums.
The screening took place in mid-September during the Encounters Short Film and Animation Festival at the Watershed in Bristol, in association with the Bristol Festival of Ideas and the RTS.
Pro Tools demonstration
Will be conducted by an Avid specialist revolving around Pro Tools version 12 within a Post Production environment. Avid’s flagship control console, the Pro Tools | S6, will also be on show.
Post Production - audio dissection of a scene
Paul Wilson will open of his dubbed scenes for discussion. This will involve the audio techniques employed to enhance a selected scene of Paul’s choice.
Loudness Specifications for Television
