RTS London Podcast

The Harvey Goldsmith CBE Interview

"It’s 12 noon in London, 7am in Philadelphia... And around the world, it’s time for Live Aid..." On the 38th anniversary of Live Aid on 13 July 1985, RTS London presents this wide-ranging, full-length interview with Harvey Goldsmith CBE by broadcaster Andrew Eborn. Harvey Goldsmith is an iconic and visionary figure known for his exceptional work as a producer and promoter of rock concerts, charity events, and television broadcasts. Working with most of the world’s major artists, Harvey has successfully managed, produced, and promoted shows that have shaped the music industry. Among his extraordinary achievements, Harvey orchestrated two of the most monumental music events ever held: Live Aid and Live 8. These ground-breaking spectacles have solidified his reputation as a trailblazer in the field, leveraging the power of music to inspire global audiences and support meaningful causes. In the fascinating interview, Harvey discloses how childhood formed his character, his early career leading to an accidental start in the music business, the secrets behind Live Aid & Live 8, Wham! in China, Pavarotti in the Park, F1 in London, the secrets to televising music events, successful negotiation, and the future of the music business. A Barnestorming Production for RTS London      © Harvey Goldsmith 2023

Lost in Translation? Adaptations Across Borders

When it comes to game shows and reality TV formats, taking a popular series from one country and making a new version is fairly easy. But remaking scripted formats has always been a harder nut to crack.  From homegrown hits Doctor Foster [https://variety.com/2022/tv/markets-festivals/bbc-doctor-foster-disney-hotstar-miptv-1235226254/] and Liar [https://www.c21media.net/news/malaysias-astro-orders-local-liar/] to global phenomena like Call My Agent! [https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/features/call-my-agent-ten-percent-b2066553.html] and Skam [https://www.thelocal.no/20171016/norways-skam-series-to-get-remake-in-five-european-countries/], scripted formats are traveling further than ever. With streaming services battling for more localised content, they're also a multi-billion dollar business. Yet for every successful remake, whether The Office or Shameless [https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2018/oct/19/tv-remakes-that-were-better-than-the-originals-shameless-house-of-cards], there are countless dramas that haven’t cut through the cultural divide. Add in the accepted position that “comedy doesn’t translate,” and this begs the question, what makes a good or bad adaptation, and who gets to decide?  In this session, RTS London brings together a panel of leading experts to answer this, alongside what formats sell, how scriptwriters can address the challenge of creating cultural relevancy while keeping the values of the original, and why in the age of global media consumption, do broadcasters still need to adapt when they can just dub or use subtitles. They’ll also explore the reaction towards remakes in fan communities, whether having the original creator be involved impacts success, and what role the choice of platform/channel has on the form and style of the adaptation.  Chair: Dr. Andrea Esser [https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrea-esser-42535b23/?originalSubdomain=de], Professor of Media and Globalisation, King’s College London  Panel: Sumi Connock [https://www.linkedin.com/in/sumiconnock/?originalSubdomain=uk], Creative Director for TV Formats, BBC Studios Marianne Furevold-Boland [https://www.linkedin.com/in/marianne-furevold-boland-a47b0b11/?originalSubdomain=no], Head of Drama, NRK, and Producer, Skam Sabrina Duguet [https://www.linkedin.com/in/sabrinaduguet/?originalSubdomain=sg], EVP Asia-Pacific, All3Media International Matt Baker [https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-baker-4b2b6a12/?originalSubdomain=uk], Writer, Professor T, Before We Die, and Suspect Producer: Damien Ashton-Wellman

BBC 100: History, Celebration, Inspiration

RTS London marks the BBC's centenary with a look at the BBC's history, the celebrations planned and the inspiration for the next generation. Created 100 years ago, on 18th October 1922, the BBC transformed people's lives at the turn of a dial, bringing voices out of the ether and conjuring up the magic community of radio. The TV services followed and now, many aspects of our lives are inextricably linked to broadcasting. It is how we remember where we come from and who we are — from the Moon Landing to the 9/11 attacks, Monty Python to Strictly, and Live Aid to London 2012. In this RTS London event, Head of BBC History Robert Seatter charts the story of a broadcaster and a nation, reflecting the story of our lives across ten eventful decades. He looks at how the BBC is celebrating its centenary and how it can inspire upcoming generations to join the national and global conversation, building on the foundations of public service broadcasting. Host: Lettija Lee, Presenter Speaker: Robert Seatter, Head of BBC History Peter Rippon, Executive Editor, BBC Archive Producer: Carol Owens

Red Light: Q&A with Walter Iuzzolino

Starring Emmy-nominated Carice van Houten (Game of Thrones, The Fifth Estate, Race) and Golden Calf winner Halina Reijn (Bodies, Bodies, Bodies, Black Book, Valkyrie, Instinct), Red Light is an immersive thriller that portrays how three women's lives unexpectedly intersect when a well-known philosophy professor suddenly goes missing. Sylvia (van Houten), an aging sex worker, runs a brothel with her toxic partner in Antwerp’s Red Light District. Esther (Reijn) is a well-known opera soprano who comes from a well-educated background. Evi (Maaike Neuville) is a cop trying to combine a major case with her role as a wife and mother. Their stories intertwine to liberate themselves from the situations they’re each trapped in.   Following an exclusive screening of the first episode, there will be a panel discussion and Q&A with stars and series Co-Creators Carice van Houten and Halina Reijn, alongside director Wouter Bouvijn (The Twelve). This event is supported by Walter Presents, the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in the UK, and the Diplomatic Representation of Flanders in London.  There will be a drinks reception held after the Q&A. Tickets include a complimentary drink after the session. Red Light launches on Channel 4 on Sunday 9th October at 11pm while the entire box set will also be available to binge via Walter Presents on All 4 [https://www.channel4.com/categories/walter-presents].  Chair: Walter Iuzzolino, Co-Founder & Chief Creative Officer, Walter Presents  Panel: Carice van Houten, Co-Creator, Creative Producer, and Actor Halina Reijn, Co-Creator, Creative Producer, and Actor Wouter Bouvijn, Director Producer: Damien Ashton-Wellman

Sunday Morning Live: Production Focus

How do you produce a live topical Sunday morning discussion show out of Northern Ireland, with a studio in London and support from teams across the UK? The BBC recently awarded the tender to produce Sunday Morning Live, its flagship BBC One religious and current affairs discussion programme, to Tern TV and Green Inc, two companies working together to make this important commission from Northern Ireland.   This Production Focus session brings together key members of the production team to explore the challenges and opportunities of producing this successful live strand. With production happening across three nations - their joint production base in Northern Ireland, the studio in London, and crew and support teams in Glasgow, Manchester, and Sheffield – the panel will talk about how they coordinate the various elements and locations involved and the balance between planning ahead yet responding to breaking events by the hour.  This session promises to be an informative and entertaining insight into bringing such a complex live show to air every week. This session is a co-production between RTS London and RTS Yorkshire.  Chair: Dr. Fiona Thompson, TV Exec and Academic Panel: Brendan Hughes, Exec Producer and Head of Tern TV, Belfast Stephen Stewart, Exec Producer and Founder of Green Inc Neil Dimmock, Executive Editor Rosina Davis, Production Manager Producer: Phil Barnes