BBC 2 – Looking for Backyard Engineers

[Diane CarneyModerator @dianecarney30678]

I have just received an communcation from BBC Two. They are researching for a brand new BBC Two series called Britain’s Most Spectacular Backyard Builds, which is celebrating Britain’s most passionate inventors, makers, engineers and tinkerers.The text of the email is copied here:-

We’re looking for a variety of people to take part. This is a programme for anybody who loves to create their own inventions, whether that be an 8 year old science fanatic, or an 80 year old hobbyist inventor, we want to find the most passionate and creative backyard builders.

Up and down the country, extraordinary things are being made, from back garden rollercoasters to homemade helicopters. They are built with passion and created with purpose and now BBC Two are delving into their world to document the most passionate and most magnificent makers in the UK! This is a celebration of engineering, invention and innovation and this is a great opportunity for hobbyist inventors, engineers and makers across the country to take part in something magnificent.

Do you have a friend who is always tinkering away in their garden shed, developing and making unique creations?

I would be very grateful if we are able to help us spread the word as our casting period is only open for one month. Filming for the series will take place between January – March 2016 and those who take part will only be required for between 1 to 4 days.

—

As always, I'm not sure the BBC quite understands real model engineering and that might not be quite what they are looking for – but it might be an opportunity for someone to showcase some real craftsmanship. I would encourage anyone willing to give it a go to contact them – or if you would prefer to go through me, drop me a line. I would be happy to help.

Email the team on [email protected]
**LINK**

Diane

[Diane CarneyModerator @dianecarney30678]

[Rufus RoughcutParticipant @rufusroughcut]

Deleted, wrong RDF

Edited By JasonB on 23/11/2015 20:52:54

[Clive HartlandParticipant @clivehartland94829]

I would not trust the BBC as far as I could throw a house brick at the TV. They are famous for distorting everything that they report on, twisting the reason and genre of everything. In any case I doubt a normal person in the street would understand why we do what we do. The gist of the proposed programme will not exalt the technical ability of a model engineer but pose a question like, If he can do this, he can make guns/swords/knives and sharp things.

No, dont get involved as most of the producers are from a rather select group of people who resent society and are mostly up themselves.

Clive

[Rufus RoughcutParticipant @rufusroughcut]

Hi Clive

You know you shouldn't mention weapons you'll get the sickos interested

Rufus

Sorry Diane

Just having a rant the hobby is loosing young followings

Rufus

[Swarf, Mostly!Participant @swarfmostly]

In my younger days I did some SCUBA diving. The club to which I belonged organised a diving holiday on the Scilly Isles. With the consent of most of the members not sought but being taken for granted, the expedition included a young diver about whom the BBC were making a feature programme.

I'll spare you the details – suffice it to say that the BBC involvement came very close to spoiling the entire holiday. The BBC personnel seemed to be convinced that we would do anything and endure any disruption for the sake of being seen for a few seconds on the 'telly'! They were lucky they weren't chucked off St. Marys harbour wall!

So I stand alongside Clive on this one.

I was sorry for the young diver – through no fault of his own he was just the meat in the sandwich. I hope the ordeal didn't put him off the sport.

Best regards,

Swarf, Mostly!

Edited By Swarf, Mostly! on 23/11/2015 21:48:44

[MikeParticipant @mike89748]

Like Clive, I would not trust the BBC as far as I could p*** into a gale. If they don't understand a subject, they just make fun of it. I suggest we have nothing to do with so-called series of programmes.

[Richard MarksParticipant @richardmarks80868]

And your name gets broadcast round the world so don't be surprised that your workshop has been broken into and all your stuff is stolen and then the hoards of people knocking on your door asking you to make them something for little cash as you are the clever bloke who makes and mends things for fun.

[Nick_GParticipant @nick_g]

.

The 'Beeb' is a shadow of what it once was and had a reputation for being for many years now.

In particular it's reporting of the news. I don't want 'their' political spin and bias. I just want the facts of the news.

Nick

[duncan webster 1Participant @duncanwebster1]

Going on past 'engineering' programmes they will be looking for someone in oily overalls who doesn't actually know what he's talking about, or even better, what she's talking about..

[Bill PudneyParticipant @billpudney37759]

Hearing all this negativity about the BBC is very disappointing to this little black duck. When we left the UK in 1980, I looked on the BBC as some sort of ideal broadcaster, in fact, in about 2005 I said to a colleague at work, "…if you want the truth, listen to the BBC".

That seems to be gone

cheers

Bill

[Tractor manParticipant @tractorman]

Completely agree with Clive. I took part in a show a few years ago and it caused me nothing but professional grief. The information I conveyed was skewed by ignorant producers and the editing left me looking as ignorant as them. I had no control over the output and its still on catch up and nauseum.

They're just after another dibna or guy martin to please the masses. Stay in your sheds and keep the BBC out of there. PLEASE

Regards T

[JAParticipant @ja]

It must be remembered that TV, all TV, is about entertainment and not the spread of ideas and knowledge. I do think the BBC has got a little better with it engineering shows over the last few years. I recall a series on the defence firm QINETIC shown about twelve years ago where the sole reason for making the programme was to have a laugh at engineers. Why on Earth QINETIC allowed the programme to be made I do not know.

When I started work I was told never to talk to the press or media (is this the media?).

JA

[WindyParticipant @windy30762]

Bear in mind you go on TV or any other type of media you will come in for criticism from the know alls.

Remember when Guy Martin restored a narrow boat and the comments on this forum.

These types of programs are for the general public if you want more in depth TV programs go to Open University.

A local man had an article in York press about starting a men in sheds group in this area with the support of the Lady Mayoress and showed his shed.

The numerous comments received had nothing to do with the group but the usual press moaners picking faults.

Be careful if you go down the media route and be prepared to have a thick skin.

Paul.

[Geoff TheasbyParticipant @geofftheasby]

When my then employer went bust, I answered the phone to find the biggest industry trade publication asking for details. I made the national Press on that matter as "A spokesman". Tell them nothing, is a good policy.

Geoff

[MikeParticipant @mike89748]

In over 50 years in journalism, I never once met a BBC reporter covering a story who wasn't slanting it to the dictates of a producer. Proper reporters spoke to the people involved and formed their own opinions, but not the men and women from the BBC. It's a sad thing, but no reporters in any branch of the media seem to observe the standards my colleagues and I were taught half a century ago – or is it just me, turning into a Victor Meldrew?

[David Clark 13Participant @davidclark13]

The BBC should stick to broadcasting stuff the likes of us don't watch and shut down most of their radio, tv and website channels. Also scrap the licence fee, I object to about £150 a year so the wife can watch Eastenders..

[IanTParticipant @iant]

My main memory of Guy Martin was of him holding (with spread fingers) a roughly cut circle of tin, whilst he used a drill press to drill a hole through the middle. I had to look away…although when I did look back, surprisingly he did still have all his fingers.

I guess the BBC might be interested in the Fusion Generator I've just built down my Shed (to keep the electric bills down). As far as I can tell there are absolutely no carbon emissions, although I've noticed my neighbours cat has started to glow a bit in the dark.

But then again, they'd might just take one look inside my Shed and decide I was a prime candidate for "Britain's Biggest Hoarders" instead. I don't really want my posh new neighbours to think I'm eccentric or anything. They already seem to think I'm a bit odd because I still clean my own car…

So on second thoughts, I don't think I'll bother……

Regards,

IanT

[jason udallParticipant @jasonudall57142]

Dont sweat it guys.

Note the premise…Britain’s Most Spectacular Backyard Builds..

Kind of says it all.

[Gordon WParticipant @gordonw]

It's not just the beeb who do these things, they all do. Lots of progs. made by agencies and sold to whoever. IanT -you must be weird- you wash the car?

[Ian S CParticipant @iansc]

Wot, you still pay a licence fee for TV!! We gave that up years ago. If you want to pay, you can get Sky TV, but there's only 24 hrs in a day, and I can only watch one channel at a time.

TVNZ used to broadcast BBC TV News after midnight, but they scrubbed that idea a few years ago, now if I want international news there is a channel for Aljazeera.

Ian S C

[Ady1Participant @ady1]

Hearing all this negativity about the BBC is very disappointing to this little black duck. When we left the UK in 1980, I looked on the BBC as some sort of ideal broadcaster

You saw the end of "our" beloved BBC

The rot began during Maggies reign in the 1980s and the BBC was finished as a credible source of news by around 2000-2002.

The modern BBC is like TASS was in the USSR, a flaccid mouthpiece for various government policies and propaganda, as useless and ineffective as those rubbish American TV news channels

Looking at the bright side, at least you saw our BBC at it's best, a one stop shop where you could see what was really going on in the world

Bottom line is our politicians took over the running of the BBC and it was doomed from that moment forwards

Edited By Ady1 on 24/11/2015 10:38:22

[egaParticipant @ega]

There have been some excellent engineering-based programmes on the BBC but they seem to be the exception. It is clear from the BBC "spec" quoted by Diane Carney that they are looking for human interest and, of course, "passion". I notice that they don't express any particular interest in models.

I don't suppose anyone remembers it it but Lawrence Sparey appeared on television's "Inventors' Club" programme in the early days of TV demonstrating his dividing attachment for the ML7 to an apparently respectfully interested Mr Geoffrey Boumphrey.

How the world has changed!

[SteveWParticipant @stevew54046]

My son was interviewed in his lunch hour for a news item about model flying. He turned up at the flying site and shook hands with the interviewer, cameraman. The interviewer then said "Oh! I didn't think you'd be wearing a suit". The clear expectation was for some scruffy idiot who couldn't string two words together. The item did make the news!

[Alan JacksonParticipant @alanjackson47790]

"The BBC should stick to broadcasting stuff the likes of us don't watch and shut down most of their radio, tv and website channels. Also scrap the licence fee, I object to about £150 a year so the wife can watch Eastenders.. "

And the like.

What a virtually unanimous response from every post and you have certainly got my vote.

Alan

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