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ITV Local Blog

I've started a blog for our ITV Local site. It seems to me to be a good way for the team to keep a journal of what we've been doing and to offer a certain amount of transparency.  I don't know how significant it will be in terms of viewers, but it'll be interesting to look back in years time. To see it click here

As an aside, I switched away from blogger in favour of typepad a while ago, but blogger have made a few improvements since I've been away. The free version seems quite good as a starter.

ITV Local Launch Party

A grand evening last night celebrating the launch of ITV Local Yorkshire. The site has been up a couple of weeks but we needed the time to get the event sorted. After the nibbles and the speeches came a tour of the world's biggest TV studio and a pint in the Woolpack. We managed to get a good mix of people - about 70 - many of whom we will be working with in the coming weeks.  More pictures on flickr

Another Wall on the Bricks

IMG00109.jpg
Originally uploaded by markwaddington.

This is a curious thing, a brick wall covered by a very large printed sheet containing a picture of... a brick wall.

The bricks in the photo (that glossy section) are a perfect match for the bricks to the left of the wall.

The Making of Volume

Back in January I posted a short video about the Volume installation at the V&A. Well, continuing the technical theme, here is an interesting series of images showing the construction of Volume by the creators, United Visual Artists. Click here or on the image below to go to the slide show.

Coldcut's Kit

Folowing Coldcuts performance at Greenbelt I've found myself in a number of conversations about how they actually put the show together. Is it all live or do they pre-record bits of it? I came across this piece by Matt Black who gives a tour of the equipment and how they run the visuals.

Blackberry Picking

Here I am late at night in Leeds having missed my regular train. This is the first time I've tried to blog from my phone, but it seems to be a surprisingly effortless process. There is no doubt that mobile technology is having a significant influence in the way we are less and less compartmentalising our lives. In the past I would have set aside time specifically to do this, but now I can do it on the fly.

There used to be a time for working, a time for eating, a time for watching the TV, but no longer is this so; there is a blurring between work and play, between profession and recreation. Am I having fun doing this or is this somehow related to work?

This week I have had working lunches and I hardly ever watch TV at home (if I do it's on a PC screen). I suppose Sunday used to be in a special compartment, but even that time is now up for  grabs. Doing church for an hour on Sunday morning is one of those threatened time bunkers.

We live, as someone said, in a Martini culture - any time, any place, anywhere (from a famous advertising campaign).

Inspired Youth

Met Kevin and CJ yesterday afternoon. These guys are working to get young peoples' voices heard through film making. This is a positive step towards building confidence among young people for whom school doesn't always inspire. I was impressed by their committment and energy. The films they are making present an unsually candid and challenging view of a world middle class, middle aged decision makers rarely see. I hope we can present some of their work. Here's a film about their Arts Fusion project to give you an idea.

Jane Tomlinson

Here in Leeds we are very saddened to learn about the death of Jane Tomlinson. There's no doubt that here was a person of amazing courage - notably displayed through her epic 4,200 mile bike rider across America. I confess that her story is not one that I have followed particularly closely, but the comments and tributes show that here is someone very special.  There will be a full tribute on tonight's Calendar programme with extended features on ITV Local Yorkshire

More Greenbelt Images

Grace at Greenbelt 2007 from markwaddington and Vimeo.

Photos by:

Dean Ayres. Steve Collins. Greenbelt Fesitval pool. Greenbelt 2007 pool