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Ex BBC and al Jazeera Reporter Rageh Omaar Joins ITV News
04 months ago
by scenetvblog
in News
Reposted from The Guardian
Rageh Omaar, the former BBC war reporter who was dubbed the "Scud stud" during the Iraq war, is to become a special correspondent with ITV News. Omaar joins ITV this week from Qatar-based news channel al-Jazeera, which he joined in 2006. The Somalia-born reporter became a household name during the invasion of Iraq, reporting from a hotel rooftop in Baghdad.
It is not the first time ITV News has tried to hire Omaar, having tried but failed to woo him in 2004. Omaar said: "Joining ITV News represents a return to news reporting for me, which is where my passion for journalism began." He said he was "incredibly excited to be joining such a fantastic and thriving news organisation with a wonderful history".
ITV said he would be responsible for covering a "broad range of news stories and producing special in-depth reports from all around the UK and when required, on stories abroad".
Omaar, who won a Bafta for the BBC's coverage of the invasion of Afghanistan, worked on investigative and documentary programmes for al-Jazeera, including a series about 21st-century slavery. Michael Jermey, ITV's director of news and current affairs, said Omaar was "one of the very best television news correspondents of his generation".
As well as working across the BBC he has also previously reported for Channel 4's Dispatches, Sky News and ITV, and has written two books, Revolution Day: the Real Story of the Battle for Iraq, and Only Half of Me: Being a Muslim in Britain.
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Women Take the Lead in the Run for the 2013 BAFTA Rising Star Award
04 months ago
In a stark contrast to last year, it's all about the ladies in regards to the 2013 BAFTA Rising Star Award nominations as four out of the five shortlisted are female.
The EE Rising Star Award honours a young actor or actress who has demonstrated exceptional talent and ambition and has begun to capture the imagination of the British public. It is the only award voted for by the public at the EE British Academy Film Awards in 2013. Previous winners have included Adam Deacon and Noel Clarke.
See below for each of their profiles (courtesy of the BAFTA website) and make sure you click here to cast your vote. The winner will be announced at the British Academy Film Awards on February 10th at the Royal Opera House in London.
Good luck to all the nominiees!
2013 British Academy Film Awards Nominations Are In!
04 months ago
The nominations for the 2013 BAFTA Awards have been announced with Steven Spielberg’s Lincoln leading the charge with 10 nominations. Other films with nods include Les Miserables, The Life of Pi, Django Unchained and the ‘most successful UK movie of all time’ Skyfall.
See below for a full list of nominations and tune in on 10 February to see the awards take place at the Royal Opera House in London.
Who’s your money on? Join the conversation at @Scene_TV
Best Film
Argo
Les Misérables
Life of Pi
Lincoln
Zero Dark Thirty
Outstanding British Film
Anna Karenina
The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel
Les Misérables
Seven Psychopaths
Skyfall
Outstanding Debut by a British Writer, Director Or Producer
The Imposter, Bart Layton (Director), Dimitri Doganis (Producer)
McCullin, David Morris (Director), Jacqui Morris (Director/Producer)
Wild Bill, Dexter Fletcher (Director/Writer), Danny King (Writer)
The Muppets, James Bobin (Director)
I Am Nasrine, Tina Gharavi (Director/Writer)
Profile: Oona King Takes on Dancing on Ice 2013
04 months ago
via Radio Times
Name: Oona King (or, more properly, Baroness King of Bow)
Age: 45
Twitter: @Oona_King
Website: http://www.oonaking.com/
Famous for: Politics
Bio: Famous for being the second ever black female MP elected to the House of Commons, Oona King served as the Labour Member for Bethnal Green and Bow from 1997 to 2005, when she was ousted by milk-lapping Respect MP George Galloway.
While in office, King called for an end to poverty and championed both international aid and human rights.
After losing her seat, King began a career in the media, appearing on everything from Loose Women to the BBC’s comedic moan-athon The Grumpy Guide.
She released her autobiography in 2007, was appointed head of diversity at Channel 4 in 2009 and entered the House of Lords in 2011.
Talking about her plan for Dancing on Ice, King said: “I have no strategy! I just want to try and stay upright, I plan to learn as much as I can. As a politician we have plans and strategies, but I can’t plan for this."
Dancing on Ice kicks off on Sunday 6th January - we're wishing Oona and all the contestants good luck!
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News| Will.I.Am on Technology, Innovation and Television
04 months ago
Music star Will.I.Am speaks on his role as the Director of Creative Innovation at Intel as well as his view on innovation in the television industry. He sure has a lot to say about the broadcast business model! What do you think? Join in the conversation on Twitter over at @Scene_TV
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Actor Adrian Lester Awarded an OBE in New Years Honours List!
04 months ago
by scenetvblog
in News
Congratulations to actor Adrian Lester who has been awarded an OBE in the Queen's New Year Honours list for services to drama.
Via BBC News
Hustle star Lester's parents moved to the city from Jamaica and said they had helped make Britain "what it is". Lester, 44, said he was "really surprised" but "honoured" to hear he had been picked for the award in the New Year Honours list.
The BBC1 drama show Hustle, in which Lester played conman Mickey Bricks, was filmed for several series in Birmingham.
He said: "Coming from my background there was always this ethic that is very strong that people would do their best for the mother country."
Great news!
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Clare Balding & Jana Bennett Among the Winners at the 2012 Women in Film & Television Awards
05 months ago
by scenetvblog
in News
Reposted from Women in Film and Television
The face of the Olympic and Paralympics coverage, presenter Clare Balding, critically acclaimed film director, Lynne Ramsay, and versatile comedy and drama actor, Olivia Colman, were just three of the fifteen outstanding women from the world of film and television to be honoured at the 22nd Annual Sky WFTV Awards at the London Hilton, Park Lane.
Comedian and presenter of the moment, Sue Perkins, hosted the ceremony, which was attended by almost 1000 of film and TV’s most influential movers and shakers. Perkins, who had been at the event last year as an award winner, said she was “honoured” to be hosting this year’s ceremony showcasing “the brightest and best female talent in the UK.”
WFTV CEO, Kate Kinninmont, said:
“It’s been another outstanding year for the Sky WFTV Awards! We’re so proud that three of our winners – Clare Balding, Barbara Slater and Tracey Seaward – were key players in delivering the most watched TV event in UK broadcasting history, the London Olympics.
I’m also particularly pleased that we have two exceptional film directors, Lynne Ramsay and Sally El Hosaini, amongst our winners this year. There’s still a significant gender disparity when it comes to feature film directors but the talent of Lynne and Sally, irrespective of their gender, is undeniable and I’m proud that our Awards are recognising that.
That Sue Perkins came back this year to host the ceremony, and Julie Walters returned in a presenting capacity, is testimony to the fact that our Awards are a ‘not to be missed’ occasion and tickets sold out in a record 28 minutes this year!
Every single one of our winners is an inspiration and a role model. We salute them all and have done our best to throw them the Awards ceremony they deserve!”
Presenters on the day included Davina McCall, Jessica Raine, Evan Davis, Mark Foster, Mitchell and Webb, and Julie Walters.
Full list of winners below:
Actor Aml Ameen & Director Jesse Lawrence Join the British Urban Film Festival Board
05 months ago
by scenetvblog
in News
Actor Aml Ameen and director Jesse Lawrence will both join the board of the British Urban Film Festival on December the 1st. The appointments are the latest shake-up in a series of announcements by BUFF Enterprises as it looks to further consolidate its’ position as the home of urban film coverage in the UK.
Ameen (who lives in Los Angeles) is currently filming ‘The Butler’ with an all-star cast including Forest Whitaker, Oprah Winfrey and David Oyelowo. Already a familiar face to UK audiences having starred in ‘Kidulthood’, ‘The Bill’ and ‘Harry’s Law’, the actor (who launched his own production company in 2010) has more recently turned his hand to directing with his short films (including ‘Drink, Drugs & KFC’ and ‘12’) screened by the British Urban Film Festival. Equally busy has been Jesse Lawrence who recently made his feature-length directorial debut with ‘The Knot’ and has also had his short film (‘Much Ado about a Minor Ting’) screened by the festival back in 2009.
Preparations are already underway for the 8th British Urban Film Festival in September 2013 and comes off the back of BUFF 2012 which included the UK premiere of ‘Sparkle’ starring the late Whitney Houston. A new company ident has been launched together with the streaming of 5 short films chosen by the British Urban Film Festival board including ‘Closure’ starring Richie Campbell and ‘Jack Sparrow’ for which the director Suli Breaks received the inaugural Knice short film trophy at BUFF 2012.
Emmanuel Anyiam-Osigwe, founder of the British Urban Film Festival, said: "I'm hugely excited about the future of urban independent cinema in the UK and greatly look forward to the new year with both Aml Ameen and Jesse Lawrence at the helm bringing their passion and commitment to the board and the festival. Whether you’re a paying customer or an aspiring filmmaker, its’ a great time to be a part of the industry”.
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Channel 4′s Stuart Cosgrove to Write A Book About Black Music
06 months ago
by scenetvblog
in News
Reposted from Broadcast
Channel 4 executive Stuart Cosgrove is handing his education and sports commissioning duties to other departments as he reduces his workload to focus on writing a book on black music. Cosgrove, a former media editor for NME, will work a four-day week at the broadcaster while compiling Detroit 67, due to be published in 2013.
Head of features and formats Damian Kavanagh and head of formats Dominic Bird will take over Cosgrove’s education commissioning output. Cosgrove will continue to oversee C4’s sports output, including the launch of its revamped horseracing coverage, until after the Grand National in April. C4 sports editor Jamie Aitchison will then take responsibility for Cosgrove’s sports commissioning duties, reporting into Kavanagh.
As a result of the changes, head of factual entertainment Liam Humphreys, who previously reported to Kavanagh, will report directly to chief creative officer Jay Hunt.
Cosgrove will continue in his role as C4 director of creative diversity and continue to commission new indies, with a focus on suppliers with regionally and culturally diverse backgrounds. Cosgrove said he remained passionate about C4’s “unique role”.
“I’m hugely grateful that we have reached an agreement that allows me to pursue my own creativity, and still play a leadership role in developing new and dynamic creative companies,” he added.
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BBC Academy Offer £5k Development Fund at Fast Train North
06 months ago
Three or four or freelancers will get the opportunity to pitch their idea to Commissioners from BBC Learning in front of an audience of 150 people at the upcoming Fast Train North event on 20th November. There is a £5k development pot up for grabs, so this really is a fantastic opportunity.
If you have not got a Fast Train Ticket yet please register at http://fasttrainnorth.eventbrite.com This is a unique TV Fast Train session as Fast Trainers you now have the opportunity to apply to pitch your own programme idea to our influential panel, who are waiting to hear your brilliant ideas. The Academy will select 3 or 4 of the best ideas and successful candidates will be informed by Thursday 15 November. On the day of the session, shortlisted candidates will have 3 minutes each to deliver their pitch.
Here's the brief: BBC Learning are looking for the next big idea for The Learning Zone. The Learning Zone is keen to commission a number of short films (duration can vary from 1 to 5 minutes in length) to inspire creativity in pupils in either primary or secondary school. Please make clear in your pitch which age range of pupil you are pitching for. Research has shown the importance of developing children’s creative thinking skills in terms of motivation and self-esteem – as well as their future employability. For the Learning Zone, we are looking for short films to inspire and develop children’s creativity. The films could encompass any aspect of creativity – from art and design to lateral thinking skills. For more information please go to http://www.bbc.co.uk/commissioning/briefs/tv/browse-by-genre/learning
Good luck from SceneTV!
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