Creative Times

CREATIVE Times talks to some movers and shakers in our region’s vibrant film and broadcast industry.

Kieran Roberts
Television

Tell us about what you do.

As Controller of Drama, ITV Productions, Manchester I’m in charge of a busy and ambitious department. I oversee all our drama development, from initial meetings with writers, through to the pitching of series treatments and scripts to the networks, principally ITV. Once a project has been commissioned, I have overall responsibility for all stages of production and ultimately I have to ensure that what finally reaches the screen is of the highest possible quality and will hopefully get a big audience. Our most famous production is Coronation Street but other recent credits include Mobile, The Good Samaritan, Cold Blood and Blue Murder.

How did it all start?

My first job after University was as a runner with a small production company. That job gave me just enough experience of the industry – and of the real, working world – to get my first job at what was then Granada Television in Manchester. I started as a promotion scriptwriter, making the trailers for programmes and writing continuity scripts. Since then I’ve been very lucky to have had great opportunities to develop my career within the company.

What inspires you and keeps you motivated?

I’m inspired by the many very creative and committed people I work with – actors, directors, designers, musicians, technicians… and especially writers. Without great writing there would be no great television drama. I’m also inspired by the possibility that with the right director, production team and crew we can turn a terrific story and a wonderful script into powerful television drama that will be watched by millions. Away from work I’m inspired by my lovely wife and beautiful baby daughter.

What’s next?

We’re currently filming a new series of Blue Murder, starring Caroline Quentin. We’re making three films and they’re due to be transmitted on ITV1 this coming autumn. They’re very strong films and I’m hoping this new series will be a success. In terms of my development role, I am currently waiting on news of commissions from ITV1 for a couple of very exciting new series.

What advice would you give to someone starting out?

Television drama is a very competitive field so it won’t be easy getting in and getting on. But if you’re passionate about drama and determined to make it then don’t give up. And don’t be put off if the route to your goal doesn’t always seem straightforward. I always wanted to work in drama but for the first few years of my television career I went on a rather circuitous journey and worked for several other departments before I felt I’d truly ‘arrived’.

W: http://www.itv.com/granada

John Ryan
Radio

Tell us about what you do.

I’m the Managing Editor of BBC Radio Manchester. Basically, I’m the boss - in charge of the sound, the feel, the journalism - and of getting the most out of the presenters and the team. No one day is the same. I could be leading a programme meeting, coaching a new presenter, dealing with queries from listeners, planning for our move to the Quays - or even presenting a show myself to cover.

How did it all start?

I was a huge Doctor Who fan as a child - and wanted to be producer one day! So read up on how to become a TV producer. A book told me to get some radio experience, so I went to my local hospital radio station aged 13. I was bitten by the bug and just kinda stayed. Radio is pretty addictive.

What inspires you and keeps you motivated?

The brilliance of my team. We’re home to some pretty amazing broadcasters - Eamonn and Dianne at Breakfast, Terry Christian, Allan Beswick, Anthony Wilson, Becky Want, Andy Crane and Heather Stott to name a few. There’s never a dull moment. We changed the station name and feel in April 06 and were named BBC Local Radio Station of the Year six months later. That was pretty inspiring too.

What’s next?

There’s so much great content on the radio station - I would be lying if I didn’t say I was motivated by audience figures. We’re a long way from being number one local station in Manchester. I guess that’s my ambition. The wider BBC move to Salford is going to be a defining moment too. We’re also launching a daily Manchester podcast every morning - and trying out some new technology which will enable us to broadcast reports and programmes from all over Greater Manchester without the need for a large broadcast vehicle. That could revolutionise the way we make radio - so there’s still plenty to do.

What advice would you give to someone starting out?

Have passion. Know what you want to do. It really isn’t rocket science. Radio, and the media generally are hugely competitive and tough to break. So you need to be on top of your game. Know the station you’re applying to. It’s an ideas medium, so go with plenty of ideas. Be able to constructively criticise a programme or feature. Understand the audience of the medium you’re interested in. Be honest, true to yourself. Too many inexperienced broadcasters just copy their idols. And keep trying!

W: http://www.bbc.co.uk/radiomanchester

Martin Talbot
Film

Tell us about what you do

I am the director of Visual Concepts UK, an Independent Production company based in the North West of England. We produce a wide range of corporate videos for companies such as Coca Cola, DHL and Kodak, as well as music videos, commercials and short films.

How did it all start?

I first became fascinated with filmmaking at 13, after attending a filmmaking weekend for school children. Inspired by this experience, I went on to make over twenty 8mm and 16mm home movies both live action and animation. My entry into the “ Young Filmmaker of the Year” Competition on BBC TV’s ‘Screen Test’ was however, turned down for being “too violent!” It was my intention to attend film school but it was while studying for my A-levels that I began playing bass guitar. I joined a band and suddenly my ambitions shifted. Twelve years of touring, writing and recording followed, working in New York, London and Dublin. I was signed to Atlantic Records for three years and during this period I produced and directed four music videos. This experience re-ignited my passion for filmmaking and in 1997 I set up Visual Concepts UK.

What inspires you and keeps you motivated?

I am lucky in the fact that I run my own business and can therefore choose the work that most interests and excites me. Some of the corporate productions that we produce deal with quite dull subjects, so the challenge is to find the most imaginative and engaging way of telling their story.
Filmmaking and video production are intensely collaborative. I find the creative process of working within a team stimulating and exciting, I often compare it to the song writing process within a band.

What’s next?

Filmmaking is my passion. We have produced several short films over the past couple of years and I now feel ready to make the significant step up to producing low budget feature films.

What advice would you give to someone starting out?

Watch lots of stuff. Get hold of a camcorder and go and make something. Only by doing it will you truly learn what works and what does not. Music videos are a great way to start out because there are no rules. Think about storytelling with images and not words and always consider your audience in the choices you make.

W: http://www.visualconceptsuk.com

See Martin’s film ‘Tiz at:

W: http://www.atomfilms.com/film/tiz.jsp