Q: Is there room for big six-part series?
A: In Religion in 2009 the short answer is no. Of course, if the project is special then anything can happen, In 2010 there is scope for a major series along the lines of the 8 part Christianity series. In multicultural we are open to any ideas but possibly more inclined to see three or four part series ideas.
A: In Religion in 2009 the short answer is no. Of course, if the project is special then anything can happen, In 2010 there is scope for a major series along the lines of the 8 part Christianity series. In multicultural we are open to any ideas but possibly more inclined to see three or four part series ideas.
Q: Are you looking for new presenters?
A: Yes, Robert Beckford and Tazeen Ahmad are established faces of FOUR now and I would be more than happy to discover some one else as well. In religion. obvious gaps are non-Christian presenters but ideally the real criteria is to have knowledge and credibility. Same applies to multicultural – credibility and the desire to spend time with the presenter is essential.
A: Yes, Robert Beckford and Tazeen Ahmad are established faces of FOUR now and I would be more than happy to discover some one else as well. In religion. obvious gaps are non-Christian presenters but ideally the real criteria is to have knowledge and credibility. Same applies to multicultural – credibility and the desire to spend time with the presenter is essential.
Q: Are you looking for another Kumbh Mela or Karbala?
A: I am not looking for Kumbh Mela light, so unless a major event appears out of the blue like Karbala then the answer is no. What I would say is that the Islam Unveiled week was effectively a self created event and I would be happy to see more of them.
A: I am not looking for Kumbh Mela light, so unless a major event appears out of the blue like Karbala then the answer is no. What I would say is that the Islam Unveiled week was effectively a self created event and I would be happy to see more of them.
Q: Can theology work?
A: Yes, but only in a big way like The secrets of the 12 Disciples and Who wrote the Bible?
A: Yes, but only in a big way like The secrets of the 12 Disciples and Who wrote the Bible?
Q: Are you looking for historical pieces?
A: Not unless they help us understand the world today, like Car Bomber or The Doomsday Code.
A: Not unless they help us understand the world today, like Car Bomber or The Doomsday Code.
Q: Will you be critical of religion?
A: Yes, if it is an essential aspect of the story that sheds light on the subject rather than being a cheap shot at religion for the sake of it.
A: Yes, if it is an essential aspect of the story that sheds light on the subject rather than being a cheap shot at religion for the sake of it.
Q: Are there any religious subject areas you are looking for?
A: Ideally less ideas about Islam and more non-Abrahamic faith ideas. The problem with this though is the idea still has to be as good.
A: Ideally less ideas about Islam and more non-Abrahamic faith ideas. The problem with this though is the idea still has to be as good.
Q: Are there areas you won't cover?
A: No. Anything is up for grabs whether it be full on theology as in Tsuanmi: Where was God?, spirituality in Spirituality Shopper or politics in With God on our Side. Ideas that will just limp out and not be written about are what I will not be bothered about rather than specific subject areas.
A: No. Anything is up for grabs whether it be full on theology as in Tsuanmi: Where was God?, spirituality in Spirituality Shopper or politics in With God on our Side. Ideas that will just limp out and not be written about are what I will not be bothered about rather than specific subject areas.
Q: What about following people on a spiritual journey?
A: I think the old Everyman and Witness approach doesn't work any more and the films now have to shout out and appeal to a wider audience. They have to engage with the audience about subjects they care about and following a subject on a journey of 'discovery' doesn't do that any more.
A: I think the old Everyman and Witness approach doesn't work any more and the films now have to shout out and appeal to a wider audience. They have to engage with the audience about subjects they care about and following a subject on a journey of 'discovery' doesn't do that any more.
Q: Are you looking for current affairs pieces?
A: If you look at life and the world today through the prism of faith then current affairs is central to what the channel wants from religion. Examples of this are The Cult of the suicide Bomber, Jesus Camp, Divorce: Sharia style The Qur’an. I would argue that - the why now, do enough people care enough about this, Will the C4 audience really watch it and will people talk and write about it are important questions that have to be answered honestly before pitching an idea.
A: If you look at life and the world today through the prism of faith then current affairs is central to what the channel wants from religion. Examples of this are The Cult of the suicide Bomber, Jesus Camp, Divorce: Sharia style The Qur’an. I would argue that - the why now, do enough people care enough about this, Will the C4 audience really watch it and will people talk and write about it are important questions that have to be answered honestly before pitching an idea.
Are you looking for different Dispatches ideas to Kevin Sutcliffe?
A: No, we both want the best programme ideas. Dispatches is the Channels current affairs flagship strand and is run by Kevin. For this strand only I feed into his area and do not have a religion or multicultural hat on at all. I have done some Dispatches that have religious themes but this is not central to my role within the strand.
A: No, we both want the best programme ideas. Dispatches is the Channels current affairs flagship strand and is run by Kevin. For this strand only I feed into his area and do not have a religion or multicultural hat on at all. I have done some Dispatches that have religious themes but this is not central to my role within the strand.
Q: What type of multicultural ideas are you looking for?
A: A mixture of ones which can talk to both a multicultural audience and a wider audience. It will be tough but it will probably involve a mixture of ideas that either have engaging subject matter that takes the majority of viewers into subject territory they have no idea about or it will involve onscreen talent and/or contributors that help make a general subject feel relevantly ethnically diverse.
A: A mixture of ones which can talk to both a multicultural audience and a wider audience. It will be tough but it will probably involve a mixture of ideas that either have engaging subject matter that takes the majority of viewers into subject territory they have no idea about or it will involve onscreen talent and/or contributors that help make a general subject feel relevantly ethnically diverse.
Q: What if my idea doesn't work for the time slot?
A: Still pitch it as we can be flexible but be prepared for a harder sell all the way up the Channel's food chain. Anything though is possible, The Seven Wonders of Islam was six ten minute films and a ninety minute film. A strange mix but one that really worked and probably only worked because it broke up the conventional time slots.
A: Still pitch it as we can be flexible but be prepared for a harder sell all the way up the Channel's food chain. Anything though is possible, The Seven Wonders of Islam was six ten minute films and a ninety minute film. A strange mix but one that really worked and probably only worked because it broke up the conventional time slots.
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