NEW BOARD MEMBERS NAMED FOR MG ALBA
MG ALBA (The Gaelic Media Service) has welcomed the news that Ofcom has today (Friday 6 May) appointed two new Board members with Mairi Kidd and Calum Ferguson taking up their respective roles with effect from 1/5/16 for a period of 4 years.
Maggie Cunningham (Chairman), David Brew, Jo MacDonald and Dugald MacAulay have also been reappointed with terms running for four years. MG ALBA also bid farewell to Alasdair MacCaluim whose term on the board has come to an end after eight years.
Follow this link for more information on the new members.
FRESH DESIGN AND HOME FOR GAELIC LEARNERS’ SITE, ‘LITTLE BY LITTLE’
The BBC ALBA Gaelic learners’ website, Little by Little, has been redesigned as new on LearnGaelic.Scot with an attractive new interface with more information.
The website aims to give learners an opportunity to learn basic Gaelic, little by little. Amongst other things, people will get the chance to listen to Gaelic words, phrases, proverbs and songs.
The website was first published in 2001 became one of the most-loved websites for learners on the BBC Gaelic website.
The learning content for Little by Little was written by Roddy MacLean who is well-known through the radio series Litir do Luchd-ionnsachaidh (Letter to Gaelic Learners) and An Litir Bheag (The Little Letter) programmes for learners that are broadcast on BBC Radio nan Gaidheal.
This all gives the learners an opportunity to learn the Gaelic sounds, learn about grammar and gain an understanding of how the sounds are created. You can also learn five Gaelic songs with Sineag MacIntyre.
To view the new site here
MG ALBA SUPPORTS GAELIC MEDIA APPRENTICESHIP WITH BBC AND GLASGOW KELVIN COLLEGE
MG ALBA, the Gaelic media service, is to participate for the first time in an innovative apprenticeship scheme designed to nurture the next generation of broadcast media talent.
The partnership, run by Glasgow Kelvin College and BBC Scotland, is about to enter its sixth programme, with 11 students participating in the 2016/17 course.
For the first time, one student – with the support of MG ALBA – will have the opportunity to work across Gaelic platforms such as BBC ALBA and BBC Radio nan Gàidheal.
In doing so, the candidate will have the chance to gain experience in many of the departments providing content to the channel, including children’s, news-gathering, factual and sport.
With BBC ALBA also accounting for around 50% of the total programme making output from Scotland’s independent production sector, there will also be the opportunity for the apprentice to spend time working with a number of the channel’s independent programme suppliers.
The busy schedule will also see apprentices spending two days per month at Glasgow Kelvin College learning many of the technical and vocational skills they might require in the broadcast media industry, as well as personal development and core skills.
There will also be the opportunity for the apprentice to spend time on placement at the Creative Industries Media Centre in Stornoway – home of MG ALBA and BBC Radio nan Gàidheal.
By September this year, 50 young people will have already completed this exciting apprenticeship programme over the previous five programmes. The apprenticeship programme has provided a springboard to careers in TV production and journalism, with some of the former young students going onto degrees in higher education and others moving onto further work at the BBC or other media production organisations.
Iseabail Mactaggart, Director of Development and Partnership at MG ALBA, said: “The BBC Apprenticeship programme has been proven to be an excellent route for young people to enter the broadcasting sector so we are pleased that MG ALBA is supporting the partnership this year and offering one of the apprentices the chance to learn their trade within Gaelic media.
“The apprenticeship is a good fit for MG ALBA, with our partners at BBC Scotland and Glasgow Kelvin College – which is the only further education institution to deliver full-time Gaelic classes on the Scottish mainland – both experienced in training high-quality graduates from the scheme.
“We have been committed to offering opportunities for the next generation of talent to flourish through initiatives such as FilmG, placements we sponsor with companies within the creative sector and through awards such as the Celtic Media Festival bursaries we announced recently.
“MG ALBA was recognised in 2015 as an Investor in Young People and we are committed to building upon this and providing more and more routes for training and development in the years ahead.”
DOUBLE SUCCESS FOR GAELIC RADIO AT MEDIA AWARDS
BBC Radio nan Gàidheal has been celebrating a double success after winning two awards at the Celtic Media Festival 2016 which was held in Dungarvan near Waterford and which came to a close last weekend.
Spors na Seachdain, the weekly Sports programme won the Best Sports category for its programme from the 2015 Island Games in Jersey while Mire ri Mòir won the Best Radio Music category for its broadcast on the final day of the Royal National Mod 2015 held in Oban.
Marion Mackinnon, Managing Editor for BBC Radio nan Gàidheal said: “Winning these two awards is a real thrill, recognising as it does, the creativity and commitment of the presenters and the production teams as well as the very special connection they have with the audience.”
This year’s festival saw over 500 entries from throughout the different Celtic nations while the 2017 Celtic Media Festival will be staged for the first time ever in its history on the Isle of Man.
BBC ALBA PROGRAMMES SHORTLISTED IN ROYAL TELEVISION SOCIETY AWARDS 2016
A number of BBC ALBA programmes have been shortlisted in this year’s Royal Television Society (RTS) Scotland awards.
The RTS awards are the gold standard of achievement in the television industry recognising excellence across the entire range of programme making and broadcasting skills.
Three BBC ALBA programmes have been nominated in the RTS Scotland Awards after a number of the channel’s programmes were submitted in a variety of award categories.
Vilte Vaitkute, editor of media co-op’s ‘The Wee Govan Pipers / Pìobairean Beaga Bhaile Ghobhainn’ documentary which was produced for BBC ALBA, is in the running for the Best Post Production: Editing award. The hour long documentary (broadcast, New Year’s Day) charts the first 18 months of the new Govan Schools Pipe Band. It was narrated by Ewen Henderson of the band Mànran who also wrote the original music for the film.
‘Tartan Pride’ and ‘Jim Baxter’, both films produced by purpleTV for BBC ALBA, are competing against each other in the Best Sports Programme category alongside BBC Scotland’s ‘Sportscene at 40’.
Presented by Alex O’Henley, ‘Tartan Pride’ (broadcast, January 2015) is a factual entertainment documentary film about the historical, emotional and cultural impact of the Scotland v England ‘Auld Enemy’ football fixture.
The ‘Jim Baxter’ film, also presented by Alex O’Henley, (first broadcast September 2015 and repeated tonight, 14th April 2016, at 9pm) explores the life of the legendary Crossgates Primrose, Raith Rovers, Rangers and Scotland footballer who died of pancreatic cancer in 2001 at the age of 61.
Margot McCuaig of purpleTV who wrote, produced and directed both films, said: “We are absolutely delighted to have achieved two nominations in this year’s awards. Both films were a pleasure to work on given the emotive content of each and to gain this level of appreciation for them is a real honour. Our Jock Stein documentary scooped the Best Sports Documentary Award 2015 so to be in the running again this year is fantastic for the entire team at purple.”
Louise Scott, producer from media co-op, said: “I am so thrilled that my colleague Vilte, who came to media co-op first for mentoring when she was an apprentice on an ethnic minorities film scheme, is now getting the industry recognition she deserves for her editing talent. Whether we win or not, we are enormously proud to be one of only three films shortlisted for the editing craft category.”
Alan Esslemont, head of content for BBC ALBA said: “To have three programmes shortlisted in this year’s RTS Scotland awards is a huge testament to the high quality content available on BBC ALBA across a variety of programme genres.
“The Wee Govan Pipers was a real hit with our viewers and is a heart-warming documentary which used some of the footage filmed by the pupils featuring in the film, so it is particularly pleasing to see it in the running for Best Post Production award for editing.
“Having been involved in the initial commissioning stages of the two purple TV sports films it is hugely rewarding to see them gaining recognition within the highly competitive television industry, and I wish the nominees the very best of luck at the prestigious award ceremony.”
The winners will be announced at a ceremony hosted by newsreader, Catriona Shearer and popular TV actor, Sanjeev Kohli on Wednesday 25th May at the Òran Mòr, Glasgow.
BBC ALBA TO MOVE UP THE CHANNEL LISTINGS ON SKY, FREESAT AND FREEVIEW
BBC ALBA is set to move up the electronic programme guide (EPG) listings on Sky, Freesat and Freeview.
The channel will move up one place with the new EPG slots for BBC ALBA being as follows:
BBC ALBA will remain on Virgin Media 161 and will continue to be available on BBC iPlayer.
Some viewers may have to retune their equipment to update their on-screen programme guide if changes are not picked up automatically and it is unlikely that programme recordings will be affected.
Other BBC channels will also be moving slots with BBC One HD moving to Sky 115 and Freesat 106, BBC Two moving to Sky 141 and Freesat 108 and BBC Four moving to Sky 143 and Freesat 110.
Margaret Mary Murray, Head of Service at BBC ALBA said: “BBC ALBA has steadily moved up the EPG channel listings since it first aired almost eight years ago and now enjoys prominent positions across each viewing platform. The enhanced listings offer great accessibility for audiences across Scotland to enjoy the channel’s rich and diverse programme content.”
BBC ALBA has been successful in attracting both Gaelic and non-Gaelic viewers, with factual documentaries, popular lifestyle series, music and events coverage, as well as live sports coverage being amongst the most popular genres on the channel. The regular daily schedule of local, national and international news and current affairs content also continues to attract audiences.
New and exciting programmes have been introduced across all genres including the channel’s new drama, Bannan, popular children’s TV programmes including Ceitidh Morag and Ben & Hoilidh, to new sports coverage over the past year including live curling and orienteering championships. Key strands of the channel’s offering remain including Trusadh documentary series, popular music show Port and long standing children’s series ‘Dè a-nis?’. Programmes on the channel are also broadcast for learners of Gaelic and those interested in Gaelic language and culture.
Over 22 production companies produce programme content for BBC ALBA, contributing to and stimulating Scotland’s creative industries.
MG ALBA LISTED AS ONE OF THE BEST PLACES TO WORK IN TELEVISION
One of the partners behind BBC ALBA has been ranked as one of television’s best places to work alongside eminent industry names such as Bloomberg, Hat Trick Productions and Talkback.
MG ALBA, the Gaelic media service – which operates BBC ALBA in partnership with the BBC – has been recognised by sector journal Broadcast for industry-leading culture alongside 16 other UK-based corporations in ‘The Best Place to Work in TV 2016’ league.
The shortlist is compiled through independent research carried out by the magazine, with executive management and staff members at companies across Britain asked to give their views about their own organisation and its culture which is then rated against a series of established benchmarks.
As the only Scottish-based company to feature in the league, being ranked seventh ahead of Bloomberg in eight, MG ALBA was also noted to have the highest average number of training development hours per year – 97 – of any company that made the final selection.
Donald Campbell, chief executive of MG ALBA, said: “It is a great accolade for MG ALBA to be recognised at one of the best places to work in television in the UK. As the only Scottish representative in the shortlist – and with the majority of staff based on the Isle of Lewis – we are very different from the rest of the companies that are listed by Broadcast magazine.
“Yet, that difference we believe is one of our strengths and the community ethos we have in Stornoway is fostered across the organisation as part of our culture.
“We are delighted that our commitment to developing the potential of staff members through our training programmes, has been recognised and this augments our wider work with the next generation of creative talent through many of our initiatives such as FilmG as well as industry placements.
“BBC ALBA acts as the public face of much of the work MG ALBA carries out but it is a credit to everyone within the organisation that they each contribute so much to a positive atmosphere that makes our jobs so enjoyable during that process.”
Fiona MacKenzie of MG ALBA, who first started working in the reception and who is now the face of BBC ALBA, said: “MG ALBA is definitely a brilliant place to work with a good mix of people and talents and we are all encouraged and supported to think about how we can progress within the organisation.
“In my time with MG ALBA I have moved from an admin role to fronting various BBC ALBA programmes such as coverage of major Scottish music festival Belladrum Tartan Heart Festival, the motoring show ‘Air an Rathad’ and having a recurring role in comedies ‘Dà Là san Dàmhair’ and ‘Gaol @ Gael’. There has always been great support from colleagues and management which has allowed me to do these things and I’m grateful for each of these opportunities.”
The Best Places to Work in TV research found that of those companies making the shortlist, 95% of respondents believed their company was a “fun” place to work with 91% of employees questioned said they “look forward” to going to work.
The 17 companies making the grade varied in size from 19 staff to 97 and include 13 independents, two facilities companies and two specialist broadcasters.
This industry-focused ward is another to add to MG ALBA’s accolades having recently been recognised as an Investor in Young People, being the first Gaelic organisation in Scotland to have achieved silver status and one of only nine organisations from throughout Scotland to have been accredited at this level.
TWELVE GAELIC NOMINATIONS AS CELTIC MEDIA FESTIVAL SHORTLIST PUBLISHED
A total of 12 Gaelic programmes from BBC ALBA and BBC Radio nan Gaidheal have been shortlisted in the 2016 Celtic Media Festival awards.
Over 500 entries were received from throughout the Celtic Nations for this year’s Festival which takes place in Dungarvan, Waterford from 20-22 April.
FilmG, MG ALBA’s Gaelic Short Film competition has also been shortlisted in the Kieran Hegarty Award for Innovation category while BBC Radio nan Gaidheal has once again been shortlisted in the Radio Station of the Year category – a category which the station won at the 2015 festival which was held in Inverness.
The BBC ALBA programmes which have been shortlisted in 2016 are:
Current Affairs:
Eòrpa – MH17 (Produced by BBC Gàidhlig) This programme brought together some of the relatives who lost family in the Malaysian Airlines tragedy in 2014 and relatives of those who lost their lives in the Lockerbie disaster of 1998.
Arts:
Brìgh a’ Chiùil (Produced by Bees Nees Media)
Polish arts company Song of the Goat made a bold experiment when they put on a new show at the Edinburgh Festival, which radically reimagined traditional Gaelic singing. Bees Nees media charted the group’s progress as they researched the idea in Scotland over two years, learning what is to them an unknown language, through rehearsals at their home in Wroclaw, Poland, and culminating in a beautiful performance at St Giles’ cathedral in Edinburgh at the height of the Fringe Festival 2014.
Drama:
Bannan (Produced by Young Films)
BBC ALBA’s flagship Gaelic Drama series produced by Young Films and shot entirely on location on the Isle of Skye
Entertainment:
Seirm (Produced by Bees Nees Media)
Filmed at Celtic Connections in Glasgow this five-part music series features rousing performances from an eclectic range of performers attending the world’s biggest winter music festival.
Factual Single:
Balaich na h-Àirde (Produced by Sorbier Productions)
The story of the four Smith brothers from the Isle of Lewis and their achievements in broadcasting, writing, acting and singing.
Am Balach MacCuidhein (Produced by Solus Productions)
A revealing and charming homage to Alexander McQueen one of the U.K’s most avant-garde fashion designers who’s heart belonged to the Hebrides.
Donald Campbell, MG ALBA Chief Executive said: “We are delighted to see 12 programmes from BBC ALBA and BBC Radio nan Gaidheal on the shortlists for this year’s Celtic Media Festival and we congratulate all those involved in the various productions on their success in reaching this stage. We are also delighted to see FilmG nominated in the Kieran Hegarty award category after another very successful competition this year. We look forward very much to the festival visiting Dungarvan for the first time and to meeting up with our broadcasting colleagues from the other Celtic nations.”
In addition to its nomination in the Radio Station of the Year category BBC Radio nan Gaidheal also has a number of programmes shortlisted across the 23 categories:
• Blàr Loos (Radio Documentary) – which looks at the role of Highlanders in the battle with stories of the fallen, of survivors and some who were honoured
• Feasgar (Radio Magazine Show) – news, music, debate and entertainment presented by Cathy MacDonald
• Beag air Bheag (Radio Magazine Show) – John Urquhart guides Gaelic learners through the intricacies of the language
• Mire ri Moir aig a’ Mhòd (Radio Music Programme) – the biggest cèilidh at the Oban Mod 2015 with music and song and plenty of hilarity
• Cèilidh Rapal aig a’ Chidhe (Radio Music Programme) – live music from a strong collection of young musicians broadcast as part of the BBC Music Festival at the Quay
• Spòrs na Seachdain (Radio Sports) – Presenter John Morrison brings listeners and Island Games special from Jersey.
Marion Mackinnon, BBC Gàidhlig Managing Editor said: “I am delighted for our Eòrpa team and to see so many of Radio nan Gàidheal’s programmes being shortlisted for the Festival awards this year. I am particularly pleased with the variety of programmes that are on the shortlist and especially for those who have worked and contributed to the various programmes. We were proud to have won the Radio Station of the Year award in 2015 and we look forward hopefully to more success this year”.
Iain MacLeod from Bees Nees said: “Bees Nees are delighted that Brìgh a’ Chiùil and Seirm have been nominated in two categories at the Celtic Media Festival. It’s gratifying that our work has been recognised by our peers and credit goes to the hard working teams of creative people who made these programmes happen”.
Stornoway-based independent production company MacTV is also short-listed in the Sport category for its Lynsey Sharp – Get Out Strong, Commit programme which focused on athlete Lyndsey Sharp and her emotional outpouring which was one of the iconic moments from the 2014 Commonwealth Games and which had previously been broadcast on BBC ALBA.
For more information about the Celtic Media Festival visit www.celticmediafestival.co.uk
HAMISH: DOCUMENTARY FILM ABOUT HAMISH HENDERSON PREMIERE
TUESDAY 23 FEBRUARY 2016 – GLASGOW FILM FESTIVAL
Hamish Henderson (1919-2002) was a colossal figure in Scottish culture, a man of boundless passion and curiosity whose poems continue to elevate and inspire a nation. Robbie Fraser’s highly anticipated documentary pays tribute to the many contrary forces and diverse facets of Henderson’s life as a poet, soldier, intellectual, activist, songwriter and leading force in the revival of Scottish folk music.
Produced by Bees Nees Media in association with Pure Magic Films the documentary film is a heartfelt tribute to one of modern Scotland’s proudest sons and weaves golden archive footage with the loving testimony of Henderson’s family, friends and colleagues.
Henderson’s experience of war acted as a catalyst for his poem sequence Elegies for the Dead in Cyrenaica for which he received the Somerset Maugham Award in 1949.
Henderson became an integral part of the Scottish folk movement when he accompanied the American folklorist Alan Lomax on a collection tour of Scotland. His career as a collector not only established his place as a permanent member of staff at the School of Scottish Studies but also led him to return to his native Blairgowrie making the travellers who berry-picked in summer his particular area of activity. He beautifully described this time as like “sitting under Niagara Falls with a tin can”.
Henderson helped establish the Edinburgh’s People’s Festival in 1951. It put traditional Scottish folk music on a public stage for the first time and arguably evolved into the internationally renowned Edinburgh Fringe as we know it today.
As folk clubs sprung up and modern folk songs bled into the mainstream, often these songs contained political themes and Henderson’s own compositions Freedom Come Aa’ Ye and John Maclean March were written into the fabric of Scottish culture.
In 1983 he turned down an OBE in protest of the nuclear arms policy of Margaret Thatcher’s government and as a result was voted Scot of the Year by BBC Radio Scotland listeners. He was bisexual and campaigned for equal rights, Scottish independence and was a strong supporter of the release of Nelson Mandela.
Supported by Creative Scotland and MG ALBA the film will have its premier at the Glasgow Film Festival and will broadcast on BBC ALBA autumn 2016.
• The poster for the film can be downloaded from HERE
• An electronic press pack is available to download HERE
MG ALBA SUPPORTS ASPIRING INDUSTRY PROFESSIONALS
MG ALBA (The Gaelic Media Service) is offering current and aspiring Gaelic media industry professionals the opportunity to participate in the Celtic Media Festival 2016 which takes place in Dungarvan, Waterford from 20 – 22 April.
Five bursaries are to be made available to individuals between 18–30 years of age looking to pursue a career in Gaelic media or individuals and freelancers currently working with an independent production company that is involved in the making of Gaelic programmes for BBC ALBA.
The grants available will cover the registration fee for the festival, accommodation throughout the event plus cost of travel to the Celtic Media Festival.
Iseabail Mactaggart, MG ALBA Director of Development and Partnerships said “The Celtic Media Festival is a key networking and knowledge sharing event for media practitioners from the various Celtic nations and regions.
“We are keen to ensure that the next generation of Gaelic media professionals have the opportunity to attend this festival to learn from some of the most experienced media professionals in the Celtic countries and also from countries further afield such as Australia and New Zealand. MG ALBA is ambitious for the growth of its supply sector, and we hope that this festival will inspire future generations of Gaelic media professionals to adapt an international outlook from the outset.
“MG ALBA was recognised in 2015 as an Investor in Young People and we continue to build upon our objective of nurturing future generations through initiatives such as the Celtic Media Festival bursary, via the FilmG (www.filmg.co.uk) project and short film competition, as well as sponsored placements within the creative sector.”
Previous attendees include Vicky Kilgour who is currently employed by Bees Nees Media, making programmes for BBC ALBA and TG4, and who debuted on BBC ALBA as a presenter on the Tiree Music Festival last year. Vicky Kilgour said: “I was delighted that MG ALBA afforded me the opportunity to attend the Celtic Media Festival. Attending an event like that, and having the opportunity to make contact with and learn from professionals in other countries who work at various levels in the industry, was a great stepping stone for my career development. I was able to quiz them about how they got to where they are, and the sessions offered a Celtic wide perspective on issues to do with broadcasting in general, but particularly minority language broadcasting.”
The Celtic Media Festival, which was first staged in the Western Isles in 1980, is an annual three-day event and the 37th Festival in Dungarvan has seen a record-breaking 510 entries being submitted.
Anyone interested in the bursary support from MG ALBA should email eilean.green@mgalba.com for an application form which must be submitted by 5pm on Friday 4 March.
