A year ago, I stated my intention to write a book about the former ITV regional company Television South (TVS), which served the south and south east region between 1982 and 1992. It has been tricky getting it off the ground, as I have also written, but there is a great sense of determination to get things moving.
As with anything, life has a habit of hindering the opportunities to get ahead with projects like this. Finding the time is always hard, but serving up enough headspace to tackle the subject properly is the most difficult challenge. This is why I have decided to change my approach to the project.
The First Thought
My first plan was to write the comprehensive story of TVS, a mass DisneyWar style epic that laid the foundation for the narrative that the company was pioneering and ahead of its time. I became fascinated by the leadership of James Gatward and the ambition that appeared to fuel the work led by an influential team of people who would later be known as legends in their field. I wanted to give credit to their story because it felt like the loss of the archive and the nature of their demise had denied them the opportunity to be celebrated.
It soon became apparent that this was an enormous undertaking, which would take years to complete. Television South was a varied company, that had its fingers in lots of pies, not always with the greatest success. I’m something of a nervous writer who likes to make sure he gets things right, and writing about the inherent politics underneath seemed like a daunting prospect; Especially when several important figures in the story have passed away and can’t share their side of the story that wasn’t published in newspaper articles.
The Second Thought
This is why I’m starting to change direction. I’m thinking of a celebratory format that celebrates TVS productions, and the people that made them. Sort of partway between an analytical study and a coffee table book, I want to compile something that delves into the making of the programs that have been denied a chance to be seen. I want to try and get quotes from the behind-the-scenes staff, as well as those in front of the camera.
I have started to plan towards this approach by compiling a list of Television South productions, including co-productions. At the current time, I have counted somewhere in the region of 150 different titles, with many more to be added. It made sense to create a list, group areas of research together and move forward from there. I won’t write about everything I find, but it’s nice to have options.
The Third Thought
Being that my vocation is a content creator, I have considered creating an audio podcast that interviews former staff and stars of TVS, delving into their time with the company. Although I am devoted to the idea of the book, this deviation of an idea is more in my comfort zone. I have seen previous success with niche podcasts including The Quo-Cast.
This idea is something I would only set up if I saw a large amount of interest in it.
The Final Thought
I am very much a realist. There is a heavy chance that this book will never be completed, but I remain enthused about the project. I never pass up the opportunity to talk about TVS or mention some of the incredible stories that came out of the company’s tenure. I just need to find the time and space to write it all down and feel confident about it.
As before, I want to encourage anyone to get in contact about the prospective book. I’m happy to answer any questions, or arrange possible interviews. Email Jamie@OldTimeReview.co.uk for more information.
