THIS year has seen me doing quite a lot of filming, and I’ve been fortunate enough to have been making shows in Italy, northern Germany, Bavaria, the Czech Republic, and even London. For those outside the weird world of television, this type of work and travel all sounds very glamorous, but there are times when it emphatically is not.
Yes I think things have changed over the years. My first appearance on TV was in 1980. I also did a lot of radio appearances in the 1980s. Most of these were to promote one of my books so obviously you had to get to the radio station under your own steam . I was lucky because my publisher put a car at my disposal and so it was quite easy for the first week. BBC were always accommodating because you go to Broadcasting House and knock off four or five 'down the lines' to places like Wales and Scotland in a morning. London based TV broadcasters always sent a car for me when I was doing a news programme so they could keep tabs on you. However, I have always felt, as you said, that the the big US TV stations are a different proposition. And you can include Canada in that too. My US publisher on one trip arranged everything including hotels, air fares, meals etc. No complaints. Working with the big US and Canadian nationals in Europe during the 90s was great. Collected in cars or taxis, business class travel, best hotels and meals etc. Couldn't fault it. In the early 2000s some of the bigger budget German TV production companies also pushed the boat out but then progressively I think things started to go downhill. I still do 'talking heads' but the production companies send a crew to do it at my house. I can't imagine what the budget for talking heads (plus the crew) on that comedy series 'Hunting Hitler' must have been!
Great article, Guy. I love travel - the feeling of being suspended in time, between one place and another. Even if it’s all a bit random and chaotic, it can still be fun. I’m currently tootling around the US and it’s great to be on the road here, even though it’s hard work at times. Good to hear about your experiences - it’s the part of the finished product that we don’t see!
The glamour of television
Yes I think things have changed over the years. My first appearance on TV was in 1980. I also did a lot of radio appearances in the 1980s. Most of these were to promote one of my books so obviously you had to get to the radio station under your own steam . I was lucky because my publisher put a car at my disposal and so it was quite easy for the first week. BBC were always accommodating because you go to Broadcasting House and knock off four or five 'down the lines' to places like Wales and Scotland in a morning. London based TV broadcasters always sent a car for me when I was doing a news programme so they could keep tabs on you. However, I have always felt, as you said, that the the big US TV stations are a different proposition. And you can include Canada in that too. My US publisher on one trip arranged everything including hotels, air fares, meals etc. No complaints. Working with the big US and Canadian nationals in Europe during the 90s was great. Collected in cars or taxis, business class travel, best hotels and meals etc. Couldn't fault it. In the early 2000s some of the bigger budget German TV production companies also pushed the boat out but then progressively I think things started to go downhill. I still do 'talking heads' but the production companies send a crew to do it at my house. I can't imagine what the budget for talking heads (plus the crew) on that comedy series 'Hunting Hitler' must have been!
Great read thanks and reinforced my beliefs that it’s not all 5 star for people making history documentaries.
Y-list? Don't put yourself down: W-list, surely? 😉
Great article, Guy. I love travel - the feeling of being suspended in time, between one place and another. Even if it’s all a bit random and chaotic, it can still be fun. I’m currently tootling around the US and it’s great to be on the road here, even though it’s hard work at times. Good to hear about your experiences - it’s the part of the finished product that we don’t see!
Gave me a smile, thank you for disillusioning us all gently!
Made me chuckle.
Ha! Liked this a lot - very good