Creative Loop Podcast

Martell Maxwell is an entertainment commentator and showbiz expert on Sky News, GMTV, This Morning, Five, BBC3 and BBC Radio Scotland. Not only has she interviewed some of Hollywood’s biggest stars Martell worked for some of the UK’s most well known papers such as The Sun and the Guardian. Martel started on the path to media after packing in a career in law because it “wasn’t L.A. Law enough” and was chosen from 3,000 hopefuls for a two year apprenticeship down in London. Since then Martell hasn’t looked back and has gone from self confessed party girl to freelancer and author with her first novel being released this year. Martell gives a fantastic insight to what it takes to make it as a freelancer and how if you want to succeed everyone should treat themselves as freelancers. She also gives top tips on how to make that CV sparkle just that little bit more. So if you have ever had a keen interest in becoming a showbiz expert or a freelancer listen to this podcast to get al

Reporting news has always been a part of anchorman John MacKay’s life. Starting off delivering newspapers as a boy John has worked his way through all mediums to become one of Scotland’s most well known faces. John takes us through his journey from journalism to radio and finally his transitions to television where he is best known for delivering news on a daily basis at STV.   John describes exactly what delivering the news entails and what his role as a presenter really is. He also gives tips to not only budding news anchors but to anyone wanting to get into the world of media and how determination is the most important thing when trying to make it. So if you ever wanted to be a journalist, radio presenter or work in TV then have of listen to find out what really happens in the newsroom.

Working his way up from writing comedy detective stories for Clyde FM to the Head of BBC Radio Scotland Jeff Zycinski takes us through the journey from being a journalist to being in charge of Scotland’s biggest station. Jeff fills us in on what it’s really like being the program controller and what responsibilities and duties he encounters on a day to day basis such as commissioning and scheduling programmes for BBC Radio Scotland  Jeff also gives helpful tips on how you can stand out from the crowd to get yourself noticed by the right people. If you have ever being interested in what really goes on when you’re the head of a major radio station then have a listen to this podcast and find out what really happens behind the doors of the BBC.

In this edition of In Profile we hear from executive producer Mark Sharman. Mark has worked on some of the most popular radio stations around such as BBC Five Live, Radio 2 and Radio1. Mark talks us through his journey from student radio to how he became a producer. He also talks us through all the responsibilities he has as an executive producer and what sacrifices you have to be ready to make in order to be successful. Mark highlights how getting ideas commissioned for radio makes all the hard work worth while and what you have to do get your foot in the door. If you have ever fancied becoming a radio producer and didn't know what it involved or how to get started this podcast is the one for you.

One of the most well known and oldest studios in Scotand is Cava in Glasgow. Run by producer,sound engineer, entrepreneur and founder Brians Young. Cava Studios has been on the scene since 1974 and started off in the basement of Brian's house. Cava has recorded not only artists such as Texas, The Foo Fighters and Oasis they also do various recording for the BBC and STV. Brian walks us through the journey from basement to a full fledged business and what you need to do if you want to get involved with sound engineering and the studio recording business. If sound engineering or producing is your thing or maybe you have played with the idea of starting up your own studio make sure you tune into this episode of In profile and get some top tips from an expert.

Ever wondered what being an executive producer on one of Scotland’s biggest radio shows was like? We talk to BBC Radio Scotland's 'Morning Call' very own David Flynn. David started off in the radio world later in life, making a huge jump from a successful job in retail to working as a researcher on the Fred MacAulay show. David gives a detailed look into what exactly goes into making a phone in show and the hectic daily schedule he has to keep in order for the show to broadcast successfully on a daily basis. David also tells us how you have to be willing to be on the ball when it comes to current events and news and how it’s hard even on holiday to switch off. Getting involved in community radio is just one of David’s top tips when trying to break into media as well as having a specialist subject. If you have a keen interest in producing speech based radio programs give this podcast a listen and catch a glimpse into what live radio is really like.  

In this podcast we make a phone call to Canada to talk to Glasgow born artist and story boarder Rob McCallum. Rob has worked on not only some off Hollywood’s biggest movies but also well known comic books such as Judge Dredd. Rob gives us an in depth and realistic look into the extremely fast paced world of being a story boarder including tales from the set and how you have to be prepared to work hard and adapt to anything a director throws at you. Rob also explains how learning how to tell a story is the single most important thing you can do when wanting to become a story boarder and how do it yourself story boarding books aren’t always the way to go. So if you want to learn more about the world of storyboarding or have ever wanted to get involved in that aspect of the industry have a listen to this podcast for everything you have ever wanted to know when it comes to being a storyboard artist.

The most recurrent question at the Creative Loop Student Media Festival is “How do I get my foot in the door?” You’ll find the answer to that question throughout this website from many different media professionals who had to find their own way too, but what then? In this interview Martell Maxwell tells you what to do with whomever it is you’ve once you’ve made initial contact with. Media companies are inundated with CVs every week, departmental heads meet dozens of potential new friends at conferences and parties, so how do you make a good lasting impression? Martell is a broadcaster, novelist and journalist who has fought hard to get noticed and ended up at the top of the pile, so you would do well to listen to her advice.

Gary Roberston is the host of Good Morning Scotland on BBC Radio Scotland, every morning the show is packed with the latest news pertinent to Scottish people. News regularly breaks live on air as politicians are faced with a team dedicated to getting past the press releases and to the true heart of the story. In this short interview Gary shares his advice on how to prepare for a topical interview, often at short notice, and how to objectify the interview to quickly advance to the issues that the editor or the story requires. During the festival he joined Your Radio’s Darren Adam and Clyde 1’s Romeo on a panel all about the art of an interview, which you can listen to here in its entirety.

What was the last radio station that you listened to? How do you know? Every radio presenter worth his salt will use the name of the radio station in each link, but what about the rest of the airspace? Gavin Pearson is Clyde 1’s fantastic Station Imager. He is the man who writes and creates all the on air branding for the station so that without even thinking about it, you know which station you’re listening to (for when the RAJAR diaries come around). In this quick interview Gavin shares his rise through the ranks in radio, and how students how have an understanding of radio and great technical skills at find themselves better placed in taking an interest in station imaging rather than fighting it out for the few presenter/production jobs that there are left.

Darren Adam was on of the youngest presenters on UK Radio and has barely left the dial since. From politics to showbiz, late night to breakfast he has done and seen it all. During the festival he joined BBC Radio Scotland’s Gary Robertson and Clyde 1’s Romeo on a panel all about the art of an interview. What to ask, when, how, why and why not, how to prepare and the nuances of listening were all discussed in the session, which you can listen to here in its entirety, but in this interview Darren goes a little deeper into his favourite type of interview, the live interview.

Romeo is the network presenter of In:Demand, broadcast from Clyde 1 in Glasgow and listened to in every city in Scotland.  The hugely successful show features the very latest and hottest new tracks and is responsible for introducing brand new artists to the listeners on a nightly business. Romeo interviews countless bands and singers, often with nothing more to go on than a single press release and one single. In this interview Romeo shares his tips on how to keep things fresh, fun and engaging for the listeners when faced with people who might not have anything interesting to say. During the festival he joined Your Radio’s Darren Adam and BBC Radio Scotland’s Gary Robertson on a panel all about the art of an interview, which you can listen to here in its entirety.

As television and radio stations become more and more centralised and networked is there any time, space or budget for local news anymore? News has always been an integral part of broadcasting, everyone wants to know what is going on, but with the economies of scale it is the hyper local news that is being left behind by the networks. Is this an opportunity for students? Freelance journalist Nick Roughvie talks frankly in this interview about the potential future for local news and why it is exactly where students aspiring to become professionals should start.

It’s all fun and games until someone loses an eye. Nick Roxburgh is a Safety Advisor at the BBC in Scotland and takes Health and Safety seriously. In this interview he tells us why you should too. As legislation has increased over the last twenty years it seems that you can’t carry coffee through the office without using a tray, but aren’t you going to be so much more useful to a potential employer if you know if you can or not? With outside broadcasting, “guerrilla reporting” and live studio audiences becoming far more common, health and safety does matter and here Nick shares with you the best way to get trained for free to get ahead of the rest of the job hunters.

"Network or No Work" was the title of Richard Melvin and Martell Maxwell's session at the Creative Loop Student Media Festival, and like it or not - it's true. In a relatively small industry that is all about creativity and people, you are simply not going to get a job by having a great CV and technical skills. As echoed around the CCA over the two day festival: if you aren't making personal introductions then you aren't going to be the one hearing about potential opportunities, trends and stories. Networking isn't about attending a "business brunch" armed with a cache of business cards, as the Director of Dabster Productions explains.. "..an email, a phone call...sending something through after [meeting at an event like this] is something I'm going to respond to.." - Richard Melvin

Law, huh? What is it good for? You, my studious colleague, are a law suit waiting to happen. Francis Shennon, winner of four Press awards, Director of Media Faculty, Visiting lecturer in journalism and law at Westminster, Stirling and Strathclyde Universites, presented his session at the Creative Loop Student Media Festival to show students common pitfalls in the complex world of media law. Whilst there's too much to recap in just five minutes, in this interview Francis answers some of the most pressing and pertinent questions you will come up against during your career. From Twitter to copyright; libel to court, you won't hear all the answers, but it will raise questions that you should be asking yourself. "..It doesn't matter if it's on Facebook, Twitter or even if you put it in an email...that's publication in the eyes of the law.." - Francis Sheenon

From "funny down the pub" to open spots at a comedy club to getting your first series commissioned. It's a long, twisted trail that can seem insurmountable - but a quick dial through the channels shows that comedy is more popular than ever. Chris Grady is a Development Producer at the Comedy Unit, the Glasgow based production company responsible for Rab C. Nesbit, Still Game and Gary Tank Commander. He came down to the festival to explain the various stages that budding comedy writers will encounter on the journey from napkin to happenin' (C). Collaboration, publishing and proliferation are just some of the core ideas you'll need to master to entertain the nation. "..It's what you think is funny that's important.." - Chris Grady

A stalwart in Scottish broadcast journalism, Alasdair Lamont took time out of his day to explain to the students of Scotland just how important online journalism has become in today's marketplace, and why it should be a part of every journalist's repertoire. Whilst films, shorts and podcasts all require a little technical knowledge, everyone can blog. If you can blog, you can write. If you can write, you can attract an audience. If it's knitting that excites you, write about that. If it's football, get involved. Once you are writing you've got a body of work to show to prospective employers and you'll come on leaps and bounds. In this brief interview, Senior Broadcast Journalist Alasdair Lamont tells you exactly what you should be doing if you are serious about a career in broadcast news. "..anyone who wants to get a foot should take the initiative.." - Alasdair Lamont

The BBC lead the world in live broadcasting and since 1979 they have kept the public engaged and informed with British politics and world events with Question Time. With a more ethical and moral angle, The Big Questions continues the debate with highly engaged audience. Each week there is an exemplary panel, a hand picked audience and millions of people watching live across the country. You can bet the planet that the production team know exactly what they are doing. Both programmes are produced by Mentorn Tv; producer Amanda McGlynn visited the Creative Loop Student Media Festival to share her experiences and advice. "..We all learn by doing it, we all make mistakes...the first time you do it, it's difficult; the second time it's a bit easier.." - Amanda McGlynn

After seventeen years at the BBC Martin MacKenzie has gone freelance and is not looking back. He's a Post Production Editor, he chops and cuts the television programmes that you've been watching for years, and now he's looking for the new breed of talent to step up to the mark. In this interview, Martin reveals where the skill shortage is in the industry and why he's come to the Creative Loop Student Media Festival to engage with students. Whether it be Avid, Final Cut or paper and glue, you can be the best technician in the country, but if you don't have that edge you're going to be found out. If you plan to start a career in moving images, or even if you're a radio person, this is sage advice from a man who knows his stuff and cares passionately about the future of Scottish media. "..you have the necessary skills to survive...the next step is to get in contact with the people you want to be with invovled with.." - Martin MacKenzie