If you missed it the first time you can listen again to the Gangs On Film documentary on BBC iPlayer until Sunday 15th July. In Gangs on Film, Twin B meets up with ex-gang members and young people from East London to get their thoughts on how accurately these shows portray their lives and the area. We also hear from actors and directors including, Plan B, Noel Clarke and Adam Deacon, about the role these productions play in today’s society.
It is a very rare thing to be in the right place at the right time. I know this because when you’re trying to get into the radio industry, as I am, the right place and the right time so rarely coincide, no matter how many times people tell you they should.
But in June, it finally happened. The right place was Folded Wing, an independent production company in London who were kind enough to take me on for two weeks’ work experience. The right time was when I had been there almost a week, researching, editing and learning. Caroline from the Radio Academy called the Folded Wing office looking for a young presenter. My ears tingled but I kept my eyes on my screen.
Then,
“Ever done any presenting Aisling?”
I had. Lots. Folded Wing’s Jim sat me down and talked me through the job – I was to host the Radio Academy’s ‘Getting Into Radio‘ session as part of BBC Radio 1 and 1Xtra’s Hackney Academy. I would introduce the day and each of the speakers. Jim sounded confident in me and I knew I could do it.
The next day I arrived in Hackney, rattling with the nerves of knowing that I would soon be introducing Ben Cooper, Radio 1′s controller and the man everyone wants to work for, to a group of people I would usually be sitting amongst.
My voice and my fingers shook through my introduction, but I took deep breaths, remembered Ben’s name and from then on the links got easier and I relaxed into what was a great day of advice and knowledge delivered by some of the industry’s most successful people. Howard Hughes talked about the lucky breaks that made him a star, we heard how Radio 1′s Hackney weekend came into being, and Andrea Day proved to everyone that travel news is far from dull.
It was a chance for me to meet professionals in a professional capacity, and that is invaluable experience. I was able to practice my public speaking, something that does not come easily to anyone (does it?!) and best of all, hear all the talks and take on all the advice.
If it hadn’t been for Folded Wing, I would never have had the opportunity to even go to the event, let alone host it. Everyone was right, there is something special when the right place and time come together. I just wish Ben Cooper had been a little further down the bill!
Folded Wing’s next documentary for BBC Radio 1Xtra airs on Sunday 8th July at 9pm.
With the Olympics drawing ever nearer in East London, Gangs On Film delves into the grimy side of the area to look at the portrayal of gangs on TV and in films.
The ‘hood’ genre has been particularly popular in productions such as ‘Top Boy’, ‘Sket’ and ‘Anuvahood’ in recent years. In this programme, Twin B explores the major themes of this genre such as drug culture, girl gangs, riots and football hooligans and asks whether these films give a realistic portrayal of gangs.
Gangs on Film is produced by Rachel Essien and features Plan B, Ashley Walters, Noel Clarke and Adam Deacon among others.
Here is a taster clip from the documentary.
If you missed it on Sunday night, you can listen to Generation Next on BBC iPlayer until Sunday 27th May!
In the BBC Radio 1Xtra Story, Gemma Cairney meets the kids with a business plan and finds out how doing it yourself got cool. You’ll hear from the people behind SBTV, Live Magazine, Reggae Reggae Sauce, Unltd and eco company Pedal Power!
Here is another clip from the show where Boy Better Know’s, JME shares some ‘lyrics to get you off your butt’….
Calling all budding entrepeneurs, check out our documentary, Generation Next! It airs on BBC Radio 1Xtra on Sunday 20th May at 9pm.
Forget about Dragons Den. There is a whole new generation who are coming up with creative responses to the world we live in. They are inspired by hip hop, the environment, grime, Simon Cowell and the internet and they’re setting up business, starting local projects, and getting prepared for a working life that will be radically different to previous generations. If you’re born this year, you’re likely to be working until you’re 80 years old.
Gemma Cairney meets the individuals and organisations that are at the front of this trend. It meets YouTube poster boy Jamal Edwards from SBTV, finds out how Jay-Z and Beethoven helped make enterprise cool, and sends the team from youth-run Live Magazine out to see what they can do with a £10 seed fund.
Generation Next showcases the talent, explains why this generation need to be so focused, gives advice and tips on how to get started… and offers some solutions to youth unemployment.
Generation Next was produced by journalist Emma Warren for Folded Wing.
