Hello, and my I introduce myself to you.
I’m Dennis Rookard from Brentwood, Essex in the UK. And for my sins some
twenty years ago as a voluntary activity I started Hosiprog. So if you’ll
forgive a rather long diatribe, a little explanation of who and what I do.
Originally Hosiprog was simply a programme library providing features,
documentaries and programme drop-inn’s for the three hundred and fifty
strong UK network of Hospital broadcasting stations.
Each of these volunteer run stations are strictly independent of each other,
but most are members of the National Association of Hospital Broadcasting
Organisations (NAHBO) who act as a national body holding conferences,
organising national copyright clearances, studio insurance and publishing an
internal magazine.
Hosiprog was born as a result of a NAHBO idea to make available programming
that these stations could not because of lack of time, facilities or talent
produce themselves. This is because all are made up of voluntary groups that
from small studios broadcast a diet of request shows, specialist musical
programmes and local sport and news into their own individual hospitals.
It was not long before feedback from these stations patients out in the
wards, showed that what they wanted to fill their airtime was original radio
drama. And so began a Hosiprog policy of radio drama production. To cut a
long story short.. Oh goodie I hear you shout…The situation today is a
follows.
We have 57 programme CD on offer which some 62 drama productions. (I should
point out that many CD contain two separate productions) and are continually
recording, editing and publishing new material. Interestingly when we
started our producers and original team of actors drawn from the best
central and north Essex amateur theatrical groups, would select already
published material and obtain copyright clearances, but in recent years we
have been able to seek out and obtain material either written for us or
other groups and have the authors working alongside our actors.
We have also expanded to having two production teams -our original Essex
Hospital Radio Players who have been joined by the Mangle Theatre Company
made up of pro actors who are normally to be found working as extras and
background artist of some of BBC and ITV’s top rated soaps and drama
productions. I first met some of them whilst working as an extra myself and
it was not long before I discovered how many of them were budding script
writers.
But I am always open for productions.. hint hint.. our need is for
complete drama programmes as because our listener - the hospital patient
tends to spent only a short time in a British Hospital these days..
So what are we looking for. Well baring in mind our audience tends to be
middle aged or more. Comedy, Romance. Crime or Historical drama always go
down well. But Si-Fi can’t be too way out. As for times. Best length is
thirty minutes, followed by forty five and sixty minute lengths.
Over here we have to remember the future use of the medium which means that
more and more stations are going over to 25 hour broadcasting with great use
being made of computer play-out of programming. As well as the use of low
power transmitters and the slowly expanding community radio network.
Finally, as for our fiancees, the answer here is a proud boast that it is
a big flat zero. Nobody gets paid, and our studio recordings are laid down
in the studio of the Brentwood Talking Newspaper for the Blind (guess who
designed it for drama as well as for speech and acts as it’s studio
manager). The only charge we make to stations is that of two pounds fifty
per CD. This is to cover cost of the music only CD blank, cover and label
production and the cost of postage.
Well that’s what Hosiprog is all about and thank you for allowing me to join
your discussion group… I will now sit on the side waiting my turn. But if
you want to visit our web site.. try www.hosiprog.freeuk.com There’s lots
to see and read.
Dennis Rookard
Hosiprog.
www.hosiprog.freeuk.com Dennis Rookard
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