Posts by Katie Brockie

  • Hard News: Because it's about time we…,

    Check it out:
    "The ratio of espresso machines to population in Australia and New Zealand is approximately 850 people to 1 machine, only bested by Italy. In comparison, in the US, there are roughly 20,000 people per espresso machine. With such a limited number of customers per machine to draw on, cafés in Australia and New Zealand must use quality as the biggest drawcard."
    http://coffeegeek.com/opinions/georgesabados/06-12-2007

    Dunedin • Since Nov 2006 • 19 posts Report Reply

  • Hard News: Standing up and calling bullshit,

    Thanks for your comments Geoff and Russell.
    I've calmed down a bit! You are right Geoff, the ratings system for kids TV is terrible. Every time it was school holidays, our show would get sacks more mail, but our ratings always went down. I think it was because one or two of the families with a people meter went away!
    I think the thing that annoys me the most is that each time the network gets a new children's commissioning editor they want to "make their mark", and often try to fix things that aren't broke.
    They think they know best, and pretty much ignore the experience and knowledge of the people who have worked in kids TV for ages and care passionately about it.
    Also, I agree, research into children and what they watch, etc is important.

    Dunedin • Since Nov 2006 • 19 posts Report Reply

  • Hard News: Standing up and calling bullshit,

    Complete change of subject: As a person who has worked in children's TV for 18 years ( EBS, Yahoo, You and Me,Tikitiki ,Squirt, Bobby the Bus, Studio 2, Kidzone - and heaps more), it annoys me that when there is discussion about childrens' programming, it's always with executive producers or lecturers or someone at the top of the food chain. The best people to speak to are the presenters, the writers, the people who meet their audience every day, who read hundreds of thousands of letters and emails from kids, and who get direct feedback from their audience all the time, because a kids' audience is very direct and let you know straight away if they like something or not.
    The people at the coalface are rarely consulted and in fact, usually not taken seriously. I remember one Childrens TV commissioning editor at TVNZ saying "oh, don't take any notice of all the letters kids send in". Another one who refused to have anything to do with cooking on childrens' TV shows while he was in charge. Another who didn't like presenters dressing up as characters and doing "thespian shit", and another who, after a survey, didn't like the fact the kids considered our show at the time "educational" and "comforting".
    As you can see, this has struck a nerve with me!
    Anyhoo - next time there's ever a show about kids TV in NZ - get some of the people at the coalface in.

    Dunedin • Since Nov 2006 • 19 posts Report Reply

  • Hard News: Of swine and cows,

    Check this out for tin-foil-hat nuttiness:

    General Albert Stubblebine features largely in Jon Ronson's "The Men Who Stared at Goats"

    Dunedin • Since Nov 2006 • 19 posts Report Reply

  • Hard News: Safer Communities Together,

    That night life tourism thingy is obviously a porn movie with the naughty bits taken out.

    Dunedin • Since Nov 2006 • 19 posts Report Reply

  • Hard News: Bowie for the BDO?,

    A bunch of scientists record a song.....

    "Scientists for Better PCR" a Bsio-Rad Music Video for the all new 1000-Series Thermal Cyclers.

    Dunedin • Since Nov 2006 • 19 posts Report Reply

  • Hard News: Undie Wankers,

    "OUSA and the Canterbury engineering students had tried to organise events, including a Feelers concert for the students, but the council had blocked them, Mr Darlow said.

    "So that people, instead of being in a managed situation, would be out on the street instead, which I simply cannot comprehend"
    http://www.stuff.co.nz/waikato-times/news/national-news/2859306/Undie-500-mayhem-rocks-Dunedin-again

    I think a big cheap concert would have been a brilliant idea, and could well have defused any potential shenanigans.
    The trouble is, there are wankers on both sides. Students getting drunk and out of hand, cops turn up in riot gear, and of course there's a riot.

    Dunedin • Since Nov 2006 • 19 posts Report Reply

  • Hard News: The conversation they want to…,

    Some of this conversation brought this to mind:

    http://punkassblog.com/2007/10/25/evolutionary-psychology-bingo/

    heh.

    Dunedin • Since Nov 2006 • 19 posts Report Reply

  • Hard News: Chocolate elitism,

    I've just returned from protesting about Cadbury's use of palm oil at the annual Jaffa Race. (Not using the palm oil at the Jaffa race - you know what I mean).
    We were a small, quiet and orderly bunch, holding up posters of Orangutans and handing out leaflets. However, once the road was closed off we were no longer allowed to hand out leaflets because "It was now private property", so we had to move.
    What was funny was that one of us offered a cop some chocolate and he said "great!", but then refused it when he saw it was Whittakers, then later as the cops left, they were all carrying huge packs of Cadburys.
    Many of the people we gave pamphlets to actually supported the cause already which was great.

    Dunedin • Since Nov 2006 • 19 posts Report Reply

  • Hard News: Through the Looking Glass,

    Our local ACT hoarding says :"ACT: Zero Tolerance for Grime"

    Dunedin • Since Nov 2006 • 19 posts Report Reply

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