Q: Is there room for big six-part series?
A: The short answer is no. Of course, if the project is special then anything can happen. But it is more likely that single films and two-part series are the way forward.
A: The short answer is no. Of course, if the project is special then anything can happen. But it is more likely that single films and two-part series are the way forward.
Q: Are you looking for new presenters?
A: Yes, Robert Beckford and Mark Dowd are established faces of FOUR now and I am keen to grow a few more as well. Obvious gaps are female and non-Christian presenters but ideally the real criteria have to be knowledge and credibility. Last year Robert Baer broke through with the Cult of the Suicide Bomber. In 2006 Tony Robinson and Tariq Ramadan are also presenting religion projects.
A: Yes, Robert Beckford and Mark Dowd are established faces of FOUR now and I am keen to grow a few more as well. Obvious gaps are female and non-Christian presenters but ideally the real criteria have to be knowledge and credibility. Last year Robert Baer broke through with the Cult of the Suicide Bomber. In 2006 Tony Robinson and Tariq Ramadan are also presenting religion projects.
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.
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.
Q: Can theology work?
A: Yes, but only in a big way like Tsunami: Where was God? or Who Wrote the Bible.
A: Yes, but only in a big way like Tsunami: Where was God? or Who Wrote the Bible.
Q: Are you looking for historical pieces?
A: Not unless they help us understand the world today, like Who Wrote the Bible or With God on our Side.
A: Not unless they help us understand the world today, like Who Wrote the Bible or With God on our Side.
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 the subject through the prism of religion then current affairs is central to what the channel wants from religion. Examples of this are Karbala, Suicide Bomber, God is Black, Children of Abraham and With God on our Side. I would argue that the why now? and do enough people care enough about this? are two questions that have to be answered before pitching an idea.
A: If you look at the subject through the prism of religion then current affairs is central to what the channel wants from religion. Examples of this are Karbala, Suicide Bomber, God is Black, Children of Abraham and With God on our Side. I would argue that the why now? and do enough people care enough about this? are two questions that have to be answered before pitching an idea.
Q: Are you interested in historical and Biblical projects?
A: As a simple rule, no. That said it all depends on the idea. Who Wrote the Bible, The Cult of the Suicide Bomber and The Real Patron Saints could be just pure history but the twist on them is to make them refer to contemporary issues - the history then becomes relevant to understand the world around us. The real rule on historical religious ideas for the channel is unlike other broadcasters our desire is not to wallow in historical nostagia.
A: As a simple rule, no. That said it all depends on the idea. Who Wrote the Bible, The Cult of the Suicide Bomber and The Real Patron Saints could be just pure history but the twist on them is to make them refer to contemporary issues - the history then becomes relevant to understand the world around us. The real rule on historical religious ideas for the channel is unlike other broadcasters our desire is not to wallow in historical nostagia.
Q: What type of multicultural ideas are you looking for?
A: A mixture of ones which talk to a multicultural audience such as I won't Marry White and ones which really jump out and interest a wide audience like Bollywood Star.
A: A mixture of ones which talk to a multicultural audience such as I won't Marry White and ones which really jump out and interest a wide audience like Bollywood Star.
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.
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.
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