PROJECT PROPOSAL FORM

NAME Edd Burrell

EXTENDED PREPARATION FOR SELF-DIRECTED STUDY in MP (40 credits)& PREPARATION FOR SELF-DIRECTED STUDY in MP (20 credits) MODULE LEADER: TOM ABBA (thomas2.abba@uwe.ac.uk) Please indicate module choice

40 credits MEDIUM TV / Radio / Online GENRE

20 credits LENGTH 1 hour or 30 mins

PROJECT TITLE Beyond Radio (working title)

PREMISE
Radio visualisation, a term rst coined by the BBC (who also arguably came up with and developed the concept of radio visualisation), is used to describe in vision elements to radio productions. This is achieved primarily through multi-camera vision mixing and streaming, to allow audience to see inside the radio studio, or used in other situations such as band performances and interviews. This adds a interactive and multi-platform experience, adding a visual dimension to a audible medium. Radio visualisation has grown drastically since its early incarnations at the BBC and has become a new and exciting medium, however it generally sticks to the same format of being inside radio studios or on the occasional outside broadcast. Although radio visualisation is a mutli-platform hybrid, it sticks to the same type of format on the whole with the visuals tting around the radio. Therefore I feel that radio visualised shows could evolve and should aim to work equally well across both visual and audible mediums, therefore my idea is to.. 1- Created a live visualised radio program that works equally well in both visual AND audio mediums. A show that looks like it was meant for a visual (TV) world but equally does not require the visuals to be understood in a audio only format. 2- Stream the show live through the internet in video form. 3- Stream the show live on a radio station, (most likely Hub Radio, using existing online and AM broadcast channels) How I will achieve it - 1 hour live TX - Multi camera show, broadcast video stream live online. - Broadcast audio stream live on (Hub Radio?) - Create VT inserts, ensuring they work just as well in an audio only format. - Interactivity (Twitter / SMS) The show will be presented by one or two presenters from a TV studio and will (in vision) have all the makings of a TV show, it will have a set, graphics package and style. However the audio quality will be at the forefront of thinking, ensuring that the audio audience does not suffer. There will be pre-recorded VTs to take the action from outside the studio setting and to give the visual audience a different setting and be a challenge to see how this can work in audio only too. Interactivity will play a part in this live show, interactive elements will inuence possible presenter challenges and also give interactivity to the show, allowing the audience to get their messages in and gives the audience a sense of connection to the show. I am looking to utilise Twitter as well as the (if collaborating with the station) the Hub Radio SMS system to receive text messages. One feature for the show I would like to develop is a presenter challenge. This would be a feature where the presenter is challenged to do something, such as learn a new skill and has a week to

master it. You will see the presenter develop through a series of video diaries and interviews, before the presenter is challenged by a professional to perform this new skill live on the show. The show will also feature a live music performance and a brief interview with a band. Other features and content still need a lot of development and thought.

BACKGROUND TO IDEA
What inspired you?

In the second year self negotiated project module, myself and Chris Kenyon created radio visualisation, featuring radio studio interviews lmed on a multi-camera rig and lmed a two bands performing live. In this short module we manage to lm a pilot and then progress into a live broadcast. For the live broadcast we went out live on Hub Radio, with the bulk of the show coming from the pre-existing radio studio (which we kitted out with cameras for the interview element of the visualisation project) and also converted the TV studio into a live performance area. We then edited the videos with a quick turnaround for online consumption (performance was up within 6 hours, would have been quicker but limited internet upload speeds). Although we achieved a good mark for the module, one thing Tim Tarrant commented on was that although we had successfully re-created what is currently out there, we had not pushed it to a new level. Therefore I think by advancing it to focus on both mediums this will add a new style to the movement and also be a creative challenge. Radio visualisation generally today is live and in the moment, but focuses on being inside the radio studio, recording a band session or being on an outside broadcast. The emphasis is almost exclusively on the radio aspect, with visuals having to work around the audio focus. Some visualised shows do have a good visual focus as well as working well on the radio, but this is the minority. I consume a lot of radio and radio visualisation products, primarily from the BBC and am personally fascinated by the medium. Firstly for me visualisation gives a unique look into what is actually happening in radio, but also gives a different sense of connection to the presenters and contributors. I also love working in both radio and also TV, therefore this area is the perfect fusion for me to want to develop in.

STYLE/TREATMENT OF IDEA
What audio/visual works are references?

I take a lot of inspiration from BBC Radio1s Ofcial Chart Show which contains a strong visual element and have dressed up the studio to go beyond tradition visualisation aesthetics. By having a color / graphics scheme it gives a visual identity and shows care has been taken into making it a truly multi-platform production. Another BBC Radio1 production, Fun and Filth Cabaret an annual week of cabaret from the Edinburgh Fringe is another production that has a visual focus but is also streamed in an audio only medium too. This takes place on a stage in a large marquee, which is dressed appropriately and has a clear focus on its visuals. However its set is minimalistic, with branded light boxes on the stage and star cloths over the audience. This minimalistic look is effective however as the content (the acts in the cabaret) add the visual interest to proceedings. I think this approach could be a different way to do things. I want to create a TV studio feel but possibly feature a quite minimalist set. One project I worked on two years ago, That Magazine Show (Produced by Laura Hawkes) featured a minimalist set which was complimented by its use of interesting lighting to give visual interest. This kind of look I

think would suit the feel Im looking for, however it would need to be totally re-developed to t this productions requirements and aesthetics.

INDUSTRY CONTEXT
Who is the audience?

The content is geared towards the listeners of the radio station. In my context if I work alongside Hub Radio then I will have to align my content to t their demographic, university students living in the Bristol area. I will need to ensure my content is relevant to this demographic. Radio visualisation by its very nature, and by the scope of this project, will also be targeting users of social media and online viewing platforms.

PRODUCTION VIABILITY

What does the project needs to make it happen? Access to contributors/locations, crew, kit, schedule etc.

Crew - 1 or 2x Radio Presenter - 4x Studio Camera Operators - 2x VT Camera Operators - 1x Lighting Designer / Operator - 1x Studio Floor Manager - 1x Sound Mixer - 1x Vision Mixer (unless I choose to VM myself) - 1x Interactive AP / Graphics Operator (monitor social feeds to put on screen) - 1x Graphics Designer - 1x VT Editor - 1x Set Designer / Art Director - (1x OB technician for Radio side, could be monitored by Sound Mixer or runner if trained) - 1x Autocue Operator - 1x Production Assistant / Runner. - 1x D.O.P Technical Facilities - TV Studio (3.5 days in the studio, 1 day rig, 1 day rehearsal, 1 day rehearsal / TX, 1 morning clear up) - Vision Mixing - needs to be able to vision mix, play VTs and have an output that we can connect to a computer to achieve live streaming. If the new studio set up can do this then thatll be perfect, otherwise need to look into portable vision mixers that can handle this. - Audio mixing - Mix audio live in the studio (microphones, VTs etc) - Audio editing - For the VTs (Protools) - Video editing for VTs - FCP or FCPX - 4x TV studio cameras, ideally 2 with capability to use on jib / track. Also to include atleast 1 with autocue. - 2x P3? or DSLR cameras for VT lming. - Lighting - Studio lighting might include hiring in moving lights (and possible lighting desk as the old studio desk wouldnt be able to handle this). Otherwise studio lighting rig should handle the studio ne. Location lighting would be required possibly for some VTs depending on their nature. - Wireless Mics for VTs and studio (if audio tests go well, otherwise handheld mics) - MD44 mics for recording bands. - Hub Radio OB Kit (1x streaming computer, 1x SMS computer, 1x Mixing Desk)

I do not currently think that this project is viable in its current state from creative standpoint as Im unsure as to what content to ll the show with. I will want to seek either a co-producer or a creative development producer to help ideas creation as I am more of a technical producer and logistics coordinator. However from a technical standpoint this project will be a interesting test of the technology and is viable from my previous experiences working in live vision (corporate events vision mixing and streaming) and in radio outside broadcasting. I also think if the right ideas can be found for the shows content, and working out how to overcome some issues around what to do when music is playing (in terms of what to do visually during this time), that this project has great potential as a fresh approach to what can be achieved with visualisation.

PRODUCTION TEAM MEMBERS

Who have you already identified as your collaborators and in which roles?

At this stage I do not have a full crew set in stone, however the following people have expressed an interest if this project gos ahead. I have not actively (apart from radio presenter) looked for crew at this stage. - Radio Presenter = Charlie Roper - Floor Manager = Jen Robbins - Possible camera / DOP = Ash Farkas