The BIG Picture

08 June 09

The {error}are critical to both the visibility and finances of the Academy. So it was pretty scary launching them into the eye of the economic hurricane that has left the budgets of both broadcasters and producers battered and bruised.

Yet, on the Awards night itself, there was a strong sense of everyone wanting to enjoy themselves, to show that British television was alive and well despite its problems. The sunshine, the riverside red carpet and the all-in-one venue that is the Royal Festival Hall all helped.

For all of us present, the Awards were a welcome escape from the daily anxieties of trying to make great television in a recession. This year, more than most, the Television Awards were a timely reminder of the quality and diversity of British television and the depth of its talent, both on and off screen.

The Awards were a timely reminder of the quality and diversity of British television...

Of course, not everyone always agrees with the decisions of the BAFTA membership and subsequently, the chosen juries. But this year the prizes and nominations were well spread across a number of channels and there was also great acclaim and affection for the Fellowship given to French and Saunders and the Special Award for Jane Tranter .

I was particularly pleased to see an embattled ITV win a number of awards in what has been a difficult year for them. When four stars of The Wire and its cocreator turn up, without guarantee of a prize, it was a timely reminder that British television in general, and BAFTA in particular, are held in high esteem.

The Television Committee believes that in a time of economic turmoil, BAFTA is more important than ever. As budgets are squeezed and broadcasters are inevitably inclined towards playing safe, BAFTA, through its Awards and events, can showcase the best. We can highlight examples not just of quality but of innovation and risk taking too. We can use the unique talent base of our membership to show young people emerging in our industry the exciting creative potential of television.

That possibility of inspiration does not just apply to the Television Awards but also the {error} which followed a few weeks after. British television needs to recognise the best-in-class in Craft disciplines like editing, make-up or photography just as much as the more obvious areas like performance.

It is important too that, from time to time, BAFTA also offers a forum for debate and discussion about the big issues facing our industry. April’s panel on the boundaries of taste in comedy , or previous debates about trust in television and the economics of children’s television are good examples.

It is certainly the Television Committee’s ambition to rise to the challenge the new world order presents. We may not always get it right but we will do our best to make television a vibrant part of BAFTA’s ethos.

ADD TO DE.LI.CIOUS Digg it share on Facebook Stumble it
( What is this? ) Printable Version