This is the second time I have been involved in the pitching activity run by TORCH and I thought it would be useful to summarise my take on the process for others interested in future rounds – needless to say it is all very positive! By way of background a few years ago I saw an announcement from TORCH about a new workshop they were running to bring together researchers with a radio production team, the idea being to see if any of the work being undertaken by the former could yield a commission for a radio show. More recently I took part in a session, again facilitated by TORCH, looking at ideas for radio and/or TV shows with a company called Juniper. In the first round it actually led to a programme I made with the company for a BBC ‘Archive on 4’ show which still sits in iPlayer. In the most recent round I have two possibilities on the go – another show for Radio 4 and a possible joint TV series.
Thinking back on both activities I would certainly recommend this to anyone. To begin with you will learn about the commissioning cycle, what commissioning companies are looking for (e.g. the BBC), how media production is changing, and a bit about audiences – all of this was new to me. Most importantly, you learn the skill (or at least get an insight into how professionals do this) of synthesising your great research idea into a pitch that would be both attractive to a general audience, but more importantly press the buttons of commissioning editors. Whilst this may come across as a dark art, and to some degrees it is, I felt it allowed me to really engage with issues such as narrative, engagement, and above all impact. Why would anyone want to listen to or watch a show about this? What was I saying that was new/newsworthy and above all engaging? How would we convey the piece in a way that was entertaining, thinking about such things as ‘what will he audience see/hear’ (the days of A J P Taylor standing in a single room and delivering a straight lecture are long gone). All of this I found made me also reflect on my own teaching particularly my lectures.
Finally if you are lucky enough to get a commission you will learn about production (recording/filming) and editing. It may also open up new opportunities to you as I discovered when I was suddenly allowed through the hallowed portals of the BBC archives at Perivale, which is only allowed to people who have actually got a commissioned programme.
So if this is of interest to you I would definitely encourage you to engage in the next round. Be prepared to wear a thick skin, there is nothing worse than being told your great research topic is really of no interest to the wider population. But if you can take such brickbats then sign up!
Stuart Lee is Deputy CIO in IT Services and a member of the English Faculty. His current research interests include the works of J. R. R. Tolkien, fantasy literature, WW1 Poetry, and digital humanities.
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