THE experience of making a ‘bad programme’ is to be discussed at the next Guardian Edinburgh International Television Festival, in August.
The session is one of several just announced by the organisers of the festival, which will be celebrating its 38th year this year.
Says the festival: “No-one starts out intending to make a bad programme. The Worst TV I’ve Made That Taught Me Everything examines what happens when that is exactly what you end up with. In a joyous celebration of failure, four brave TV execs will show ‘horror’ clips and talk to Wayne Garvie about the worst shows they’ve ever made. Brave guests include Jonathan Stadlen, executive producer, Knickerbockerglory; Murray Boland, creative director, CPL; and Lisa Clark, co-founder and director, Pett Productions.”
The other sessions include a masterclass on the making of The Undateables – described as “one of the unexpected factual hits of the last few years” – and another on the quiz, Pointless, featuring the show’s co-host, Richard Osman, co-creator and exec producer, David Flynn, MD of Remarkable Television, and former controller of BBC Daytime, Liam Keelan.
Making Crime Pay investigates what makes the perfect crime drama with speakers including Broadchurch executive producer, Jane Featherstone, and Luther creator, Neil Cross.
There is also a session on how to crack the US script market. And another on music composition.
The festival is taking place between August 22 and 24.
Add the organisers: “Further sessions with details to be announced in the coming months include Managing a Media Crisis, Are the Biggest Creative Risks Being Taken in Cable? and Pitching Excellence.”
For more details, visit www.geitf.co.uk.