RTS East Anglia Awards 1998
Awards '98 was celebrated at a gala evening at the Dunston Hall Hotel, Norwich on Saturday 21st November 1998 hosted by Angela Rippon and Trisha Goddard. Awards '98 is the fourth Awards event organised by the RTS East Anglia Centre, the previous events being held in 1994, 1995 and 1997.
Dunston Hall Hotel, Norwich
This year twelve awards were made to recognise excellence in a wide range of programme-making expertise from reporting to production craft design.
Picture : Angela Rippon and Trisha Goddard hosting Awards '98
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The Awards '98 Categories, Entrants and Winners with Judges' Comments
The RTS Television Camera-work within a News Programme Award
sponsored by SISLInk
Tony Aldous - Anglia News East
Martin Giles - BBC Look East
Eric Hancock - BBC Look East
Steve Hubbard - BBC Look East
Mike Marson- Anglia News East
Alan Neale - Anglia News West
Shaun Whitmore - BBC Look East
The judges were impressed with two entrants in this category. They wished to give a Special Commendation to Steve Hubbard of BBC Look East for his camerawork but the winner, with some good examples of the range of his work, was Alan Neale of Anglia News West.
Picture : Alan Neale (on the right) receiving his Award from Michael Bunce - Executive Director of the RTS.
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The RTS Television Camera-work within a Non-News Programme Award
sponsored by SISLInk
Jonathan Bell - Stampede
Paul Bennett - Anglia Television
Richard Crafter - Anglia Television
Mark Dodd - BBC East
Duncan Fairs - Tapecraft Productions
Martin Giles - BBC East
The judges were very heartened by the standard and quality of the entries in this category. The work of Paul Bennett of Anglia Television was especially good but the winner was Mark Dodd of BBC East with some excellent camerawork.
Picture : Mark Dodd (right) receiving his Award from Francis Lovell of SISLink.
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The RTS Best Newcomer to Television Journalism - The Mike Read Award
Vicki Abbott - BBC Look East
Carol Bundock - BBC Look East
Sara Doyle - Anglia News East
Tom Edwards - BBC Look East
Karl Heidel - Anglia News West
Gill Higgins - BBC Look East
Steve Kingstone - BBC East
Greg Milam - Anglia News East
Fiona Mills - BBC Look East
Judith Moloney - BBC Look East
Steve Silk - Anglia News West
The Mike Read Award is named in honour of Anglia's distinguished Controller of News and loyal supporter of this Centre. It is awarded to the best newcomer to television journalism, that is to someone who has had less than 3 years experience in the medium.
This year there was an encouragingly large number of nominations. Both Karl Heidel and Greg Milam put on a strong showing but for her confidence, on-camera presence and versatile journalism the award went to Sara Doyle of Anglia News East.
Picture : Sara Doyle (right) receiving her Award from Bridget Read (Mike Read's widow)
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The RTS Television Picture Editor within a News Programme Craft Award sponsored by Snell and Wilcox
David Allen - BBC Look East
Jonathan Flowers - Anglia News
Ray Gotts - Anglia News
Helen Williams - Anglia News
In this category, Helen Williams of Anglia News deserves a special mention as a newcomer in this craft with only one year's experience but a very good portfolio. However, the winner, with seamless quality to his editing, was Jonathan Flowers of Anglia News
Jonathan Flowers was unable to be present to receive his award and it was collected in his absence by Guy Adams, Controller of News, Anglia Television. The award was presented by Steve Hatch of Snell and Wilcox.
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The RTS Television Picture Editor within a Non-News Programme Craft Award sponsored by Snell and Wilcox
Jeremy Brettingham - Tapecraft Productions for BBC East
Adam Finch - Stampede
Andy Holland - BBC East
Keith Judge - Anglia Television
Ian Kirkpatrick - Anglia Television
One entrant in this category shone through with the range and quality of his material submitted, that was Keith Judge of Anglia Television
Picture : Keith Judge (right) receiving his Award from Steve Hatch of Snell and Wilcox Ltd
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The RTS Engineering and Technical Excellence Award sponsored by NTL
ASI -MUX : The key to DTTV Service Launch in the UK Alex Birney, Peter Elmer, Steve Hard,
Jon Harrow, Andy Heron, Nigel Hoy,
Andrew Rayner, BT Labs Martlesham.
Operating System for MARC Automation of News Jeff Bird & Martin Crotch, Anglia Television
Sign Anim - An automatic system for deaf signing from Teletext subtitles Sign Anim Consortium
(Televirtual/UEA/ITC)
Following a break of two years the Engineering and Technical Excellence Award returned by popular request. This year there were three high quality entries all providing engineering solutions to different needs. The entry from the Anglia Television Projects Section impressed the judges with its novel, quick and economic result. However, the winning entry with its clever and ingenious automatic system to generate synthetic deaf-signing from Teletext subtitles was from the Sign-Anim Consortium of Televirtual, the University of East Anglia and the Independent Television Commission.
Picture : Nick Lodge - ITC (right) receiving the award from Barrie Caffell
of NTL with Andrew Bangham - UEA (centre) and Mark Wells - Televirtual.
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The RTS Non-Broadcast Video Award
sponsored by Abacus Television
Contact - News Programme 25 John Richard Dadson,
TWI (The Welding Institute)
Everything you wanted to know about Studying... but were afraid to ask! Lee Phillips / David Drysdale for
Learning Curve
The Laser Millennium John Richard Dadson,
TWI (The Welding Institute)
The Winning Team Lee Phillips / David Drysden for
Heitmann SAC
A Matter of Practice - Europractice John Richard Dadson,
TWI (The Welding Institute)
The Non-Broadcast Video category has traditionally attracted a high number of entries of wide-ranging and diverse subjects. The number and range of entries this year was disappointing. However, two entries dealing with complex and technical subjects were well crafted and of good quality.
In second place was The Laser Millennium from John Richard Dadson of TWI - The Welding Institute but the winner was A Matter of Practice - Europractice also from
John Richard Dadson of TWI - The Welding Institute.
Picture : John Richard Dadson (right) receiving his award from Robert Scarfe of Abacus Television.
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The RTS Promotional Video Award
sponsored by Graphico
Local Radio Football Trail Paul Baker, BBC East
The East at Westminster David Butler, BBC East
The Promotional Video Award is a new category introduced this year to recognise excellence in all types of on-screen promotions, including commercials and pop-videos, intended for broadcast use. The number of entries was disappointing but one entry was novel, well crafted and amusing as well as putting across its message.
The winner was BBC East's Paul Baker with The Local Radio Football Trail.
Paul Baker was unable to be present to receive his award and it was collected in his absence by Ian Winter, Sports Reporter at BBC East. The award was presented by Harvey Buck of Graphico.
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The RTS Television Sports Reporter Award
sponsored by the Harris Corporation Broadcast Systems Division
Steve Boulton - BBC Look East
Isabella Clarke - Anglia Television
Tony Jones - Anglia Television
Ian Winter - BBC Look East
In a small group of nominations for the Sports Reporter of the year, in the view of the judges one person stood out.
For his ability to find a different angle to familiar subjects, for his versatility, his sense of humour and his excellent presentation skills, the award for best sports reporter was made to Ian Winter of BBC East.
Picture : Ian Winter, winner of the Sports Reporter Award
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The RTS Television News Reporter Award - The Tony Scase Award
Kevin Bentley - BBC Look East
Sally Chidzoy - BBC Look East
Timothy Evans - Anglia News East
Karl Heidel - Anglia News West
Greg Milam - Anglia News East
Kim Riley - BBC Look East
Steve Silk - Anglia News West
Andrew Sinclair - BBC Look East
In the News Reporter of the Year category, in a big field, one person nosed ahead of his rivals. His portfolio impressed the judges with his versatility, his wit, and his ability to bring a journalistic edge to what would otherwise might been a routine story.
The Tony Scase Award for News Reporter of the Year went to Kim Riley of BBC Look East.
Picture : Kim Riley (right) receiving his Award from Ian Russell of The Russell Organisation - Major Supporter of Awards '98
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The RTS Production Craft Award
sponsored by the Harris Corporation Broadcast Systems Division
David Kingdom - Graphic Design - Anglia Television
Roger Law - Lighting - Anglia Television
Ewan MacDonald - Set Design
& Graphic Design - BBC East
Lee Phillips &
David Drysdale - Script - Lee Phillips
Lee Phillips &
David Drysdale - Graphic Design - Lee Phillips
Colin Pigott - Set Design - Anglia Television
Keith Stokes &
Richard Plum - Graphic Design
& Set Design - Anglia Television
Richard Windsor - Titles - Tapecraft Productions
for Anglia TV
This is another new Award Category this year to recognise outstanding creativity and imaginativeness in a craft discipline. Although there was a good number of entries the judges were not impressed with the quality of material submitted.
However one entry was of award standard and the winner for his graphic design of a title sequence for BBC East is Ewan MacDonald.
Picture : Ewan MacDonald (right) receiving his Award from Steve Perkins, Chairman of the Craft Judging Panel
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The RTS Television Regional Programme Award
sponsored by The Russell Organisation
Craven's Collectables - Imago Productions for Anglia TV
Anglia News Special : The Easter Floods - Surrey Beddows, Anglia News West
Matter of Fact : Serious Drinking - Tapecraft Productions for BBC East
Round the Houses - Programme 1 - Paul Freeman, Anglia Television
Matter of Fact : Lost & Found - Diana Hare, BBC East
Wildlife Rescue II - Programme 6 - Imago Productions for Anglia/Meridian
Peter Green - Back for Good? - Stampede for Anglia Television
Mad for It! - Programme 6 - Cactus TV for Anglia Television
Matter of Fact : The Publican, the Priest and the Refugee - Dick Meadows, BBC East
Backstage : Of Pagans and Potting Sheds - Tapecraft Productions for Anglia TV
Matter of Fact : For the Love of Stephen - Dick Meadows, BBC East
Cover Story : Tears of a Clown - Ron Trickett, Anglia Television
The judges were extremely impressed with the range and quality of the nominations for the Best Regional Programme of the year. Most of them would have sat comfortably in a network slot. In a highly competitive field, two programmes stood out. The Anglia News Special that reported the dramatic week of the Easter Floods was a fine piece of journalism, demonstrating impressive teamwork from all involved. The judges highly commend it. But the award goes to a programme that told the story of how an appalling holiday tragedy resulted in the creation of Britain's first skin bank.
Wonderfully shot, with powerful interviews and a strong story-line, For the Love of Stephen produced by Dick Meadows for BBC East's Matter of Fact strand was the regional programme of the year.
Picture : Dick Meadows (right) receiving his Award from Charles Clarke MP for Norwich South and Junior Minister for Education.
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The Judging Panels
Main Judging Panel
John Gau CBE - RTS Hon Sec, John Gau Productions (Chairman)
Alan Hayman - Programme Editor, ITN
Richard Lucas - Head of Regional & Local Programmes (East Midlands),
BBC Nottingham
Jane Mote - Head of Regional & Local Programmes (South),
BBC Elstree Centre
Chris Robertson - Editorial Manager, Central News, Central Television, Nottingham
Craft and Non-Broadcast Judging Panel
Steve Perkins - Senior Programme Officer, ITC, London (Chairman)
Bill Brennan - Freelance Director & Producer, Based in Norfolk
Christine Penwarden - Make-up & Hair Designer, Based in Norfolk
Dennis Whitehead - Picture Editor, Eastern Daily Press
Terry Yetton - Freelance Designer & Consultant, Based in Norfolk
Engineering & Technical Excellence Judging Panel
Dr Bruce Moffat - Former Head of BBC Engineering Research (Chairman)
Alan Rowe - Former Manager Programme Services & Engineering, BBC East
Robert Scarfe - Abacus Television
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Credits and Sponsors
Event Producer & Director Richard Swallow
Event Organiser Graham Barrell
Set Design and Production The Russell Organisation
Technical Production Paddy Hall Productions
Steadicam Mike Hawkins
Showreel Editing Ian Kirkpatrick
Editing Facilities Anglia Television
Anglia Television's News Review of the Year Greg Milam
BBC East's Lighthearted Look at the Year Kim Riley
Awards Programme Design and Digital Printwork Harvey Buck, Graphico
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The Royal Television Society East Anglia Centre Committee
gratefully acknowledges financial and other support for Awards '98 from:
Abacus Television JVC Professional Products (UK) Ltd
Anglia Television NTL
BBC East Plextek Ltd
Graphico The Russell Organisation
Harris Corporation SIS Link
ITC Snell and Wilcox Ltd
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The Awards Process
The planning of the awards takes almost a whole year. Discussions in the East Anglia Centre Committee will start now (November 1998) to review how Awards '98 went - the good points and the not so good points and how things might be improved for next time. The venue for 1999 will have to booked now and the availability of a suitable venue governs the choice of date as much as anything else. The selection of award categories and the number of awards will be decided by the end of February. Awards '98 had twelve categories - more than ever before and with three new categories (Best Newcomer, Promotional Video and Production Craft) and the return of the Engineering & Technical category. Each category has to have clear criteria and objectives.
An 'Invitation to Enter' pack is sent out in March or early April to over 200 potential entrants throughout the industry in the RTS East Anglia region. This invites entries covering the period 1st September to 31st August. The entry deadline is usually the end of the second week in September. The entries are sorted on receipt and checked for validity. Judging Panels are set up to sit in late September or early October. The main judging panel is usually held at RTS Head Office in London for the convenience of the judges. The other panels usually meet in Norwich. Judging often takes a whole day including a working lunch. All entries are seen by the judges and no shorlisting takes place by the RTS prior to judging. The results of the judging is needed at least three weeks before the Awards Night to allow for the Trophies to be made with the winners name and details.
Several other processes have to take place in parallel with the Entry Process! The search for a Guest Presenter or Host begins very early - this year we were very lucky to have two Guest Presenters, Angela Rippon and Trisha Goddard. Discussions and negotiations on the Set and Technical facilities required on the night again starts early and runs through several meetings right up to the event. Similarly, the discussions and negotiations with the hotel begin early and run through several meetings. The choice of menu can take quite some time in committee! Financial Budget Sheets are produced and continually revised and reviewed as the event approaches. Sponsorship is sought from as many companies as possible to keep down the Ticket Price to realistic levels. The total budget is about £15,000! A great deal of work goes into getting sponsorship - putting packages together for potential sponsors with often lengthy persuasion and negotiations. As the date draws near, tickets have to be printed and ticket application forms sent out to RTS Members, awards entrants and interested individuals, companies and organisations. With only a venue capacity of about 220 persons we have to be careful that all the entrants have the opportunity to attend the Awards Night as well as try to satisfy all other requests for tickets, including corporate table requirements - quite a juggling act! A Showreel of clips from all the entrants in all the categories has to be edited together and this can take an 8-hour booking to complete. This year we asked all entrants to select their own clips and send them in on a high quality video format to help us in the editing process. Producing a glossy Awards Booklet and Welcome Boards, Guest Lists and Tables Numbers all with themed styles is now left to the professionals and this year we were extremely fortunate to have the Design and Digital Printwork sponsored by Harvey Buck at Graphico in Norwich.
Both Pictures : Rehearsals in progress for Awards '98 on Saturday afternoon.
Page updated 2 February 2001
First published 26 November 1998
If you are interested in any aspects of the RTS East Anglia Centre Awards from making an Entry to Sponsorship please contact Graham Barrell Email : gtbarrell@aol.com