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BBC OUTSIDE BROADCASTS & BBC POST PRODUCTION WIN 3 RTS AWARDS

BBC Outside Broadcasts and BBC Post Production won three awards at this week’s annual Royal Television Society (RTS) Craft and Design Awards, which recognise the work of professionals behind the scenes in programme production. In addition, freelance BBC Studios Sound Supervisor Laurie Taylor received a Life Time Achievement award for his outstanding contribution in bridging the traditional divide between the production and technical elements of programme making.

BBC Outside Broadcasts obtained a Lighting, Photography and Camera Work Award in the Documentary/Factual & Non-Drama category, for its multi-camera work coverage of Open Golf Championship 2004 for BBC Sport. Judges said “…[the BBC Outside Broadcasts team] delivered edge of seat drama that took the viewer through every range of human emotion… this was multi-camera work - and particularly the endangered art of vision mixing – at its absolute best.”

The logistical challenges for the BBC Outside Broadcasts Camera Team covering the event were massive. Not only did the course measure 7150 yards in length, but was also close to the flight path of neighbouring Prestwick Airport, so the team had to liaise directly with air traffic control during take off and landing operations, to ensure the safe operation of their 220ft hoists.

BBC Post Production gained an award for tape and film editing in the entertainment and sitcoms category for its work on a musical extravaganza episode of BBC Three’s ‘Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps’. The winning episode goes back in time to when main characters Janet and Jonny first met and involves extensive use of flash backs and also includes parodies of current pop videos. Editor Mark Lawrence from BBC Post Production used lots of whip pans and zooms to create seamless links between scenes.

Mark said: “The fantasy aspect of the narrative combined with the music video element meant traditional rules of continuity could be flouted, giving us almost carte blanche in terms of creativity and the tools we could use in the edit. I’m delighted to have won such a prestigious award.”

In addition Dubbing Mixer Martyn Harries from BBC Post Production in Bristol won a Sound award for BBC One’s ‘Massive Nature: The Crossing’ programme, which captures the dangerous lives of Wildebeest. Judges for the category said: “Starting with mute footage, the winning sound team has worked with painstaking, meticulous attention to detail to create an original, indeed epic, work where no single sound is out of place.”

Martyn said: “It was an exciting fast-paced programme to work on, which had a Gladiator-esque feel, due to the violent lives of Wildebeest. We enjoyed meeting the challenge of creating all sound from scratch to match amazing footage. We were really pleased with the end result and thrilled the judges were too.”

Finally Laurie Taylor, a former BBC Studios Sound Supervisor a Life Time Achievement award for his brilliant technical skills, willingness to innovate and most importantly his ability to bridge the divide between the production team and technical elements of programme making. Laurie has worked on many of the BBC’s best-loved light entertainment and comedy shows over the past 40 years, including Steptoe and Son, Dad’s Army, The Young Ones, Victoria Wood, French and Saunders, Ab Fab, The Vicar of Dibley, Never Mind the Buzzcocks and Little Britain.

About BBC Outside Broadcasts
BBC Outside Broadcasts is the leading outside broadcast facilities provider in Europe, offering a complete range of solutions from scanners and VT units to design of bespoke OB production units. Combining creativity and flair with technical expertise, project management and customer service skills, BBC Outside Broadcasts caters for both small and large scale events across all genres. Key clients include BBC Sport and independents such as North One, TWI and MTV.

About BBC Post Production
BBC Post Production, a division of BBC Resources, offers award-winning creative solutions using the latest graphics technology. BBC Post Production facilities are the largest of their kind in the UK. Located in London, Bristol and Birmingham its extensive range of services include 3D animation and digital effects through to editing, audio and telecine. Using the most up-to-date technology in comfortable and inspiring surroundings the team bring talent and experience to a range of productions, trails and promos. Further information can be found at: www.bbcresources.com/postproduction.

For further information, please contact:

Georgie Hollett, PR and Communications Executive, BBC Resources
Tel: +44 (0)20 8576 2350
Mobile : +44 (0) 783484 5612
Email : georgie.hollett@bbc.co.uk

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