Belfast based production company, Below The Radar TV has been nominated for a prestigious international award for its production, The Day The Troubles Began.
The documentary, for BBC Northern Ireland, examined how the beginning of Northern Ireland’s ‘troubles’ was influenced by international events during a year of global revolt, 1968. Producers travelled to America and Europe to secure interviews with the key participants of the time and combined these interviews with powerful archive footage.
The international awards recognise productions which have used library archive and stock footage in an imaginative and innovative way. Over 180 submissions from 14 countries were competing for this year’s FOCAL International Awards spanning 15 categories.
Producer and Director, Michael Fanning said: “To be short-listed for such a prestigious award is a great achievement. The list of fellow nominees is extremely impressive and to be in such illustrious company is great recognition both for all the hard work involved in producing it and the subject matter.
Executive Producer, Trevor Birney said: “Given the international context of the documentary, to be up against submissions from America, France and Australia, seems very appropriate.”
The awards will be presented at a gala ceremony in London on May 5th 2009.
The documentary was produced and directed by Michael Fanning. It was executive produced by Trevor Birney and Ruth O’Reilly. Executive producer for BBC Northern Ireland was Fergus Keeling. The film editor was David Howell.
For more information see
www.focalint.org/focalawards.htm
11th March 2009
Ten Alps, the UK factual media company co-founded by Bob Geldof, has taken a major step in the Irish factual TV market by agreeing the acquisition of Below the Radar. The move continues Ten Alps’ strategy of buying TV production companies with a track record in high-end factual and current affairs programming. Ten Alps also produces online and print content.
Founded in 2006 by award-winning journalists Trevor Birney and Ruth O’Reilly after careers in newspapers, radio and TV, Below the Radar has 11 full-time staff and in-house edit suites close to BBC HQ in Belfast.
Below the Radar was acquired for up to £796,000, the precise amount dependent on achievement of profits targets over the next two years. Alex Connock, CEO of Ten Alps said: “We were struck by Below the Radar’s commitment to tough journalism and tough topics. We’re happy to be in Northern Ireland with the acquisition of this young, ambitious company and we want to help grow it in a fast-evolving market over here.” Below The Radar joins Ten Alps’ existing stable, which includes Films of Record, Blakeway and Brook Lapping, each a major force in documentary production, based in offices in London and Manchester.
Ten Alps companies produce for the BBC (including the current, acclaimed series Iran and the West), ITV, Channel 4 (such as the recent Dispatches, on Congo, Gaza and Ageism), Sky and international channels such as US Discovery networks, plus radio for BBC Radio 2 and 4. Brook Lapping has a major role in Teachers TV , the government-funded
digital and online TV channel, which covers issues relevant to education professionals. Setting the context for the takeover are renewed commitments by both the BBC and Channel 4 to move output from London to the devolved nations of the UK.
Trevor Birney, MD of Below the Radar, said: “To build on our strong regional base with access to UK network and international production, it made sense for us to team up Ten Alps. The output of the other members of the Ten Alps group is defined by quality journalism - and we all agree on the need to nurture talented people so that the quality can be maintained. “Meanwhile we believe content with a public purpose has a viable market, and one of the things Ten Alps and Below the Radar will be doing is exploring Public Service Broadcasting opportunities within Northern Ireland as the Department of Culture Media and Sport in London evolves its plans.” DCMS is currently considering recommendations presented by the UK media regulator OFCOM, which include the establishment of a fund to ensure delivery of regional news and current affairs in competition with the BBC.
11th February 2009