The Original Sims

Story Finders and Audience

Sometimes you just need to slap people on the back and let them know they’ve done a great job.  When BBC NI set up the Story Finders project I had one simple idea.  It was to get one or two people trained up to help provide stories for community websites like YPAM - part of the group of sites for which I was Editor.  With support from BBC (NI and Nations and Regions), Department of Finance and Personnel, BT and NICVA there were enough funds to set up six Story Finders’ centres around Northern Ireland.

BBC NI Controller Peter Johnston, PFP Director Bill McCluggage and Basil Davidson’s back

Each of the groups were given kit (PC or laptop, digital stills and video cameras, audio recorder) and training to help them explore the stories - often oral history - of their locality.  Evelyn Ellison is the co-ordinator and mre recently Cathy Moorehead has been assisting.

Cathy Moorehead trying to get the damn thing to work

So on Thursday 19th people from five of the centres came together to show and tell.  it was my last formal event before leaving the BBC.  I’m very proud of the work they have all done and grateful for their enthusiasm.

http://www.paidcontent.co.uk/entry/419-industry-moves-bbc-ni-new-media-boss-sims-leaving/

Over the last six months I have been hinting heavily that I expected to leave the BBC in 2008.  I’ve been with the corporation for 22 years working in Belfast in Radio Ulster - across a range of genres - and Radio 1 and Radio 4 in London.  There was even a bit of TV for a short while until I came to my senses. For the last 10 years I’ve been in New Media where I have led the team since 2001.

The escape committee was formed, plans were laid and a tunnel has been dug.  So barring any unexpected alarm bells and over zealous camp guards, I’m outta here. 

Dates are to be confirmed and final plans are to be laid.  But it’s time to go.

A few months ago I had an idea in the middle of a meeting.  Why not get all BBC Radio (national and local) together in a morning to celebrate the Dawn Chorus throughout the UK.  I didn’t do anything else, so that’s all the credit I’m taking for BBC’s Dawn Chorus this morning.  Liz Howell is the person to take the credit for making it work.  But it’s satisfying to have an idea that works from time to time.

One of the funniest TV  shows for years:  Martin Sheen who played President Josiah Bartlet in West Wing (I know everyone knows, but that’s all Google Juice) appeared on Graham Norton’s BBC http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/page/item/b00b2d2w.shtml programme Friday night.  He became really involved doing the "walk’n'talk" spoof and with Irish comedian Ed Byrne "additioning" for presidential bodyguard, Sheen played the President facing a paint baller. 

It’ll only be on iPlayer for a week, but I suspect this will get around West Wing fans in other ways.

Sheen also announced his support for Obama during the show.

Phonejacker - a BAFTA

Phonejacker?

Phonejacker - a BAFTA!

A BAFTA - Phonejacker?  Seriously a BAFTA - Phonejacker?

Phonejacker?

A BAFTA - Phonejacker  Seriously a BAFTA - Phonejacker?

Phonejacker? Phonejacker? Phonejacker? Phonejacker?

A BAFTA - BAFTA -

For comedy?

Nooooooooo

No - seriously

No

A BAFTA?

A BAFTA????????

They used to be important

Last night Newry Story Finders held an evening of reminiscence and story telling about Bessbrook Mill.  The plan was originally for about 50 people in the Arts Centre.  When more than 100 had signed up, they decided to move to a bigger venue.  There must have been more than 200 people in the Mourne Country Hotel last night.  There was literally "standing room only". 

Marie McStay was host and Gordon Adair turned up to do a piece for Newsline.  Evelyn Ellison the Story Finders Co-ordinator and assistant Cathy did a fantastic job.

This is the 96th anniversary of the Titanic sinking.  Over the years we have pulled together bits an pieces for the BBC NI web site (recommended - Peter Matassa produced the main site with Mike McKimm’s footage).  But there is so much out there and no central point to send you to the best.

So today we offer the world The Titanic Portal which I hope in time (well, by 2012) will be a useful resource.

I don’t normally write about the BBC - it is my employer and it’s best to keep comments in-house in any organisation. But I’ll make an exception on this occasion.  There was never any doubt that iPlayer would be taken to the nation’s heart in quick time. I expect there is plenty of research predicting the take up in the Corporation (we BBC people tend to call it that - 4 syllables rather than 3 - that’s the way we are).  But did we expect it to be taken up so quickly?  Possibly. I don’t know.

I’m on both sides on iPlayer.  I use it – frequently – and more often the streaming rather than  download.  I don’t think I’ve downloaded anything since the streaming system started.  I’m also involved (in a very minor way) in putting programme onto iPlayer and getting feedback from the audience.  What has surprised me is the speed and number of emails I get when a programme is not almost immediately available.  (It does take time, people.  It’s mainly automated, but it still takes time.)

Now the ISPs are complaining. There is a very interesting article here. 

But this is only the beginning.  iPlayer will be joined by Kangaroo.  You already have Joost, Bablegum and others on the horizon.  There is no question that better connections will attract richer (bigger) content which should drive even better connections.

One of the projects that I manage, BBC NI’s Story Finders won the Rich Media award at the MyGroupNI Celebration Event held yesterday at the Baby Grand in Belfast. 

main confratulations go to Evelyn Ellison and Cathy Moorhead who are very excited to be chosen to receive the award, from 3,500 community sites which are involved in the MyGroupNI digital initiative.  Details of award winners should appear on their website very shortly - www.mygroupni.com.