Broadcast Letters - November 9

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Letters to the editor from issue dated November 9 2007

Capital shouldn't cause offence

Over the past few years, the notion of expanding the media away from London and making it more established across the nation has been an overriding theme throughout the industry.

It has spawned the likes of Doctor Who [pictured] being filmed in Cardiff, has launched a tranche of regional satellite offices by the major independent television companies and prompted the BBC to move some of its departments to Manchester.

However, when four short films about globally recognised London landmarks are rejected by a commissioner for being too London-centric, we have to question whether the whole thing has gone too far.

The Ballet of Change was conceived by us as a series for Channel 4's Three Minute Wonder, looking at the history of London Bridge, Piccadilly Circus, Leicester Square and Trafalgar Square. When C4 didn't take it on, we managed to secure full funding for the project from the Heritage Lottery Fund and it has grown into a major event, with the films being projected onto the sites on the evening of 23 November.

But how can any film about London be rejected as being too London-centric without the industry saying we don't need programmes or documentaries about our capital city?

London has not only been the heart and birthplace of television broadcast but stands as an example to the world. It's also globally unique as the only city that has all its country's major decision-makers in one place - money, media, church and politics - and that has always been its draw since the arrival of the Romans.

We should not be fearful to stand up for the city that -created our industry and -nurtured its talent.
Paul Atherton
Producer, Q&D Productions

Celebrate 30 years of broadcast journalism

On 12 November, the University of the Arts London will be -celebrating 30 years of -broadcast journalism at the London College of Communication (formerly the London College of Printing).

Former student Helen Boaden, now the BBC's director of journalism, will take part in a debate, The Media and Public Trust, chaired by another former student, Jon Sopel.

It all started in 1977, when my experience as the first editor of IRN and the growing network of BBC and ILR newsrooms
convinced me there was a demand for journalists specially trained for radio.

I had also been inspired by my PhD research into Britain's first HE journalism course at the University of London between 1919 and 1939.

The lesson to be learned was that hacks and dons had to work together to teach journalism through professional practice
in the simulated newsroom and in the wider world.

I am delighted that this one-year course in radio journalism has gone on to produce hundreds of distinguished journalists and that radio has been the foundation for building on teaching television and other broadcasting skills.

I look forward to meeting former students at this event at the Elephant and Castle. For details and an invitation, please visit www.arts.ac.uk/docs/broadcastjournalism.htm or telephone 020 7514 2226.
Dr Fred Hunter

Smoking law clarified

In response to the article by Robert Dawson Scott and the legalities of smoking on set in Scotland (Broadcast, On Location, page 35, 24/08/07), I would like to put the record straight on the current law.

Smoking outside in Scotland, even on a film set, is not illegal. It is legal to film actors smoking while walking along a street or outside a building. While the term "film set" is mentioned in the legislation, it refers to enclosed spaces. There may be outdoor spaces where smoking is banned - for example, some councils have banned smoking on their property, including car parks and other open spaces - but some local authorities in England and Wales have issued similar bylaws.

We have just had Stone of Destiny (Mob Films/Infinity Pictures) shooting in Scotland, which is a feature film set in the 1950s, and prop cigarettes were used during filming in interiors. As the national screen agency, we continue to highlight the issues that the smoking ban may bring to filming in Scotland and we are talking to the Scottish government about these problems.

The Scottish legislation can be found at: www.clearingtheairscotland.com/faqs/qanda.html. If anyone has any specific questions about the ban, please email belle.doyle@scottishscreen.com or call 0141 302 1724.
Belle Doyle
Locations department manager, Scottish Screen