The Man Who Mistook His Life For An Act

Weds 23rd May...and we launched the all new RADIO PRODUCTION AWARDS at the ICA in Central London. It was a great day with a symposium on radio in the cultural spectrum in the afternoon...that had around 70 attendees...and then the awards launch in the evening which had over 100 attendees.

The fabulous Danny Robins was our compere for the event, and we had a speech from the director of Channel 4 radio, Nathalie Schwarz. Mark Perry from Dead Ringers presented the inaugural Outstanding Contribution to the Craft of Radio Award to the fantastic Martin Jarvis OBE.

We got lots of press attention and everyone had a fabulous night. So now all we have to do is organise the actual awards for May 2008...scary stuff!

N :-)

So it is the end of Tuesday and what have I been doing today? First off, 3pm today was 'Pitching to Radio 4 time'. Yes, once again (and it happens twice a year) myself and Richard trekked in to meet the commissioning editors are Radio 4 to try our best to get some of our proposals through to the next round so we can earn some money and make some shows next year. I hate this time of year because my mind is constantly 12-18 months in the future, trying to guess what may or may not be relevant...while still trying to make this years progs, and do all the day to day things I generally need my mind to concentrate on. But hey, that's what being an indie radio producer is about...unlike the in house teams, we rarely get to make anything current or immediate!!

So we went in and met with all four comm eds...it was another strange affair as you never really know what to say, whether the idea has been shortlisted and therefore is a shoe-in, or do you need to sell it further? It's never an easy task! Still, it is always nice to meet the comm eds and have a natter.

By this time I was growing the mother of all stress headaches...it was building at the back of my neck and slowly moving around to the right side. Still...I then had to jump in a taxi and head straight across town to a meeting at Channel 4 Radio to talk about some radio indie business. A very useful and constructive meeting...but by eck was my head humming!

So I got back to the office at 6.45pm and the right side of my head was exploding with pain...time for the painkillers...aaarrghh! I hate taking painkillers...but what choice did I have?

So...the day went well...lots of good meetings and constructive outcomes...but I do wish I could avoid getting these headaches. It may be time to go see the doc? Mmmm?

Oh...we are now awaiting the results of the Radio 2 commissioning round and the Radio 3 drama round just opened....phew...not sure we can keep coming up with good ideas...actually, nah, course we can!

NG :-)

Hmmm...well I went to Dublin and saw a lot from the taxi window...such as a sailing ship...but missed out on everything else! oh well...the speech went very well and the AIRPI were lovely people. hope to return soon.

Well...I am in a taxi heading thru the rather busy streets of fair Dublin town ready for tomorrow's conference. suppose I better start prepping what I am going to say! argh!