Why sadness? Well, first thing in the morning I headed off into the throbbing metropolis that is Manchester to meet up with a friend G. G works for the same organisation as I, but is leaving next month. This normally wouldn't be an issue, other than he is moving back to his home city of New York.
I first met G when he came to our office in Manchester to give a presentation. I really warmed to his open and friendly style of presenting, and so at the end of the talk I went up to introduce myself and offer an opinion about the topic under discussion. We immediately clicked and talked about stuff other than work and ever since we've had a professional and personal relationship.
And now he's deserting me, and just because he wants to go back home and be with his wife. How selfish! :0))
We had a good walk around the city centre and I showed off a few of our gems - the Northern Quarter (we had a nice coffee in North Tea Power), the Royal Exchange, the Town Hall, the Peveril of the Peak, and we had our final coffee before parting at Home.
Of course, we may not meet again in person, but thanks to this clever interwebs thing, we'll keep in touch.
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After we parted I headed off to my next engagement by a slighty indirect route. I was plenty early and I thought I might see if there a couple of pics to be had on the way. In the Northern Quarter I came across this mighty beast strutting its stuff in a shop window.
I wanted to get a shot from "straight on" but of course this was tricky without reflecting myself in the window, so I settled for this less than pleasing 'angled' view.
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Media City, Salford
Imperial War Museum North, Salford
My second event of the day was courtesy of Caitlin who works on the production staff for BBC Radio Drama in Salford. I was invited in to studio to watch while a play was being recorded. They also needed some bodies to provide a "crowd" so I was making my dramatic debut.
The play they were (are, because it's continuing today) recording is called "Trial by Laughter" and was written by Ian Hislop and Nick Newman, and the writers were in the studio. One of the reasons they were there is to help with the editing, in that the slot available for the play to be broadcast is 60 minutes and if the total amount of time taken to record all the scenes was greater that 60 minutes they needed to indicate what could be cut. If the time was less that 60 minutes then they needed to write some more to fill the time...
As it happens they are going to have to cut something. As a very poor editor of my own (photographic) work, I envy them that task. I think, however, they have done this before so I shouldn't worry.
Radio plays are recorded out of sequence - unless there are compelling reasons not to. This play will take two days to record, and if they can ensure that actors can do there bit in one of those days the recording order is tailed to accommodate that. It saves money if you can pay an actor for only one days work rather than two.
This also means that the actors are picking up different parts of the play in random order, and having to work out where they are in the emotional flow and 'emote' accordingly. This play is a comedy and so in this case I suspect it was a little bit easier, but I image if the play is dramatic, with the emotions building to a climax, that this presents quite a challenge.
The recording is done in a studio which consists of a performance space with microphones and curtains and other devices for controlling the sound in that space, and a control room which there are two banks of desks. The first bank, closest to the window which allows the control room staff to watch the performance (along with some remote cameras), is the mixing desk. The second desk, at the back of the control room, is where the writers (Nick and Ian), producer (Gary), Production staff (Caitlin), and hangers on (me) sit.
In some ways the process worked as I'd imagined, only a bit more so. There was a great feeling of camaraderie and collaboration. It really felt like a great team effort. The performances were great. The actors get the script beforehand, but only have one read through before committing the work to tape.
Recording the crowd scenes was fun if a little daunting for me as a rookie. We had to titter, laugh, guffaw, stamp, cheer, express surprise, distaste, and, the hardest, we had to "listen intently" for two minutes. I became very self conscious towards the end of the two minutes.
The play will be broadcast on Saturday 27th Jan, on Radio 4 in the afternoon (2:30 - 3:30 I think). Have a listen it's very funny and brings to life and important but little know man - William Hone.
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After recording had finished for the day, I went for my final appointment. A curry with some chaps from work at The Tiffin Rooms in Cheadle. It was really nice to catch up with the guys and the food was sublime. Thanks MS, AM, KB, BB, and DO'S for a splendid end to a long and interesting day.
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Tomorrow the cats go off to be neutered/speyed and I caught up with them to find out what they thought....
"I'm having me what cut off?"
"Revenge is a dish best served cold..."
Different characters, eh?
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