The BBC Academy Podcast

Blackadder, The Vicar of Dibley, Four Weddings and a Funeral: these classics have placed writer Richard Curtis at the heart of British comedy. He joins us to talk punch lines, characters and creating comedy gold.

Whether you’re watching Strictly on your HD TV or Sherlock on your tablet, sound is a massive issue for audiences. It’s a huge bug bear for sound engineers, and the single biggest topic of viewer complaints. But this is all due to change, as new guidelines are being introduced which mean that all programme sound should be mixed to the same standard. In this podcast, broadcast engineering trainer John Heraty, audio technologist Andrew Mason and sound editor Richard Collins join us to examine loudness – what it is, why it matters and how to monitor it in the studio and at home.

We go behind the scenes of the BBC's urban youth station as presenter Mistajam chairs a panel with 1Xtra breakfast presenter Twin B, Radio 1 and 1Xtra controller Ben Cooper and assistant producer Elise Cobain. They talk about the production roles at the station, from team assistant to producer, what it takes to be a presenter and routes into the industry.The panel also talk about the difference between the producer and presenter role. Elise, Twin B and Ben talk about the passion and creativity you need to work in radio, what can give you the edge for working in a station like 1Xtra and how to progress in the industry.

From the school to the chicken shop, fixed rig productions have given us unparalleled access to familiar worlds. We talk to the makers of two of the format’s biggest hit – Gogglebox and 24 Hours in A&E.

Our weekly podcast has offered up tips for newcomers into the industry, advice for freelancers and guidance from some of the great and good in broadcasting. We’ve heard from a wealth of people from all walks of the industry, at all levels, happy to share the things they’ve learnt. In this podcast, we look back at some of our favourite moments from the year and give a little taster of what’s to come in 2014.

Are 'hands-on', technical broadcast roles for men only? Of course not, but figures show attitudes still need to change. Three experienced female broadcast professionals join us to share advice for women interested in pursuing a career in technical broadcasting. Are women being held back in technical roles in broadcasting? As the industry strives to fill a real skills gap, we discuss how to bridge the gender gap in radio, TV and online.

Ever wondered what it takes to re-create a big historical event in real time for radio? We find out exactly how, with the team responsible for creating the Minute by Minute format on Radio 2.

Broadcasting talent of the future: meet the BBC Production Trainees of 2013, find out what led them to apply for the scheme and their advice for future applicants, in this special edition of the CoP Show.

The new tax rules on making high end drama may mean new opportunities for writers. But what does this actually mean on the ground? Will this impact on how writers deliver content? Will commissioners need to change how they work? And will the showrunner play a bigger role in how dramas are developed? A panel of experts from film and TV deconstruct what it all means at the BBC Academy Fast Train Cardiff event, held on 7 November 2013. With Julian Murphy from Little Monster Films, writer Phil Ford, Laura Lankester, head of development for BBC Wales Drama and Ed Thomas, creative director for Fiction Factory. In the chair is Anne Gilchrist, head of development for Tidy Productions.

From high volume shows to presenter-led series, Crimewatch to Countryfile, features programmes cover a huge range. But is there a secret formula for creating a winning format? And what’s it like to work on a features team? In this masterclass, recorded at BBC Fast Train Cardiff on 7 November 2013, a panel of media experts delve into the format game. The panel is chaired by Huw Jones, arts and media correspondent for BBC Cymru Wales, and includes Joe Mather, series editor for Crimewatch, Tess Cuming, head of factual entertainment and features for Boomerang, and Will Knott, head of development for BBC Features.