Know thy medium

As you may know, I am interested in how broadcasters are forging new partnerships with community groups and others who have been their audiences.

In the old world, the audience gathered round and absorbed what the broadcasters told them – today the audiences insists on being involved.

My view is that the submission of randomly gathered user generated content does not constitute a relationship and is not particularly revolutionary; the deal has to run a little deeper than that.

The BBC in Leeds is planning a new series of music shows, ‘Graham Liver Introduces’ which demonstrate that they are looking to develop production partnerships with communities and groups.

The show is a production collaboration between four groups – Leeds College of Music, Leeds Metropolitan University's School of Graphic Design, local musicians and the BBC. I can’t imagine that much cash has exchanged hands, but the project will appeals to those groups because they are genuinely passionate about their respective contributions and are being recognised by the BBC – which of course is good for the CV.

The media of radio, TV, the internet and live music performances are all different spaces with distinctive cultures and creative opportunities. The success of any creative media project is often dependent on how well the produces have understood and worked within that particular space. For decades radio and tv production units have never really seen eye to eye and have consistently misunderstood how each other works. The integration of TV, radio and the web into common newsrooms, for example, has been quite painful (as far as I have see); each group claims a different way of working. I think this springs form the fact that each medium presents its own creative opportunities. Know thy medium, is perhaps the call.

The proposed show appears to be a radio show adapted for TV and broadcast on the internet (a point made by one of my team members). So, what makes and internet show specifically? How can it be distinctive and true to the medium? We shall be interested to see how this show adapts to the space. I’m sure it will be a great success. (Mark W)

You can read about this project here

Comments

[Adrian Sinclair]

Thanks for the link below. The young people who met with you a few months back still talk about the visit - you made a real impression!
We are broadcasting on the internet this week - have a listen in via the internet at www.elfm.co.uk - and any feedback through the website or any other form very welcome.

Interested in the Graham Liver introduces project and wonder whether there is any way we can get involved at ELFM - we have always profiled local musicians and would be interested in talking about how we might team up on this kind of initiative.