Wide range of new N.Z.B.C. productions

Press, Volume CXIV, Issue 33601, 1 August 1974, Page 4

Wide range of new N.Z.B.C. productions

The ’“Spotlight” series of half-hour television dramas which began recently is just one aspect of the wide range of drama projects that the N.Z.B.C. has under way at the moment.

The programmes planned and at the production stage include single programmes and series in both the drama and drama - documentary fields, announced the Director - General of Broadcasting, Mr L. R. Sceats. Certain major products must await the move to the new television complex at Avalon, but drama projects which will later provide outlets for New Zealand acting talent are already involving a number of writers, the majority of whom are new to the television medium. Some of the television drama and drama-documen-tary productions to which the N.Z.B.C. is committed are. —

“BUCK HOUSE:” a further comedy series with a new format which will begin g reduction in September, oger Hall and Joe Musaphia are part of a team accepting contributions from a dozen other writers. “MOYNIHAN — T.U.:” A drama series on the trade union movement which will go into production when Avalon is commissioned. A minimum of 13 episodes is planned and the first scripts have already been commissioned from writers Spencer and Galletly. “’DEPRESSION:” Three 50minute drama-documentaries which are scheduled to begin production in August with research by Tony Simpson and written by Michael Noonan. “TAGGART:" A drama series based on the New Zealand C.I.D. with some scripts already commissioned from Hugh Alan Hoare and production planned for the middle of' next vear. “YOUR VERDICT:” A series of trials staged in the Upper Court planned for production at Avalon as 13 50-minute dramas. Although devised by the N.Z.B.C. Head of Television Drama, Eric Price, the writing is to be commissioned from writers new to television. “SHADOW OF DOUBT:” A six-part thriller written by

Michael Noonan to be produced early next year. “NEVER MIND THE BALL:” A comedy series based on a social Rugby club with a format decided upon and some initial storylines provided by Kevin Boon. It is hoped that a 13episode series will result with scripts from a number of writers. “‘EDWARD GIBBON WAKEFIELD”: A documentarydrama series which has been researched but with writing still to be commissioned. “THREE FAMOUS TRIALS:” Research for the programmes completed, with James McNeish the writer. “SIR GEORGE GRAY:” Format written by Michael Noonan for a 50-minute drama series. “IMPRESSIONS:” A series for which David Simmons and Conrad Bollinger will be writing. “PARTISAN:” A possible series following the pilot programme by John Maynard which has already screened is possible next year. “SPOTLIGHT:” Five New Zealand writers new to television are included in this

series of 12 half-hou dramas. In addition there are i number of commissionei television projects whicl provide further opportunitie: for New Zealand writing acting and production tai ents, said Mr Sceats. Thesi include a children’s thrille “The Games Affair,” ; drama-documentary entitle: “Vpn Tempsky,” a documen tary on yachting, a series oi Maori culture and twi drama - documentaries oi mental health already sched uled for screening which an entitled “One of Thos People Who Live in thi World.” At present, both the writ ing and acting talent tha the N.Z.B.C. has to drawi on is largely part-time an: this creates production diffi culties, but the N.Z.B.C.’ output of television dram: and documentaries give local writers, actors an: production teams opportun ity to gain experience ii this specialised field. Tha new television writers whe show potential are being en couraged to participate in i number of these project will help New Zealand ti build up a pool of profes sional talent, Mr Sceats said

CHTV3 2.00 pan.: News, weather (C). 2.05: This Afternoon. Magazine. 2.38: Medical Centre. Drama (C). 3.30: Send Up The Sun. (Repeat). 4.30: Fuddy, Buddy, Duddy (C). 4.37: Play School (C). 5.02: Hammy Hamster (C). 5.05: Spot On. Children’s magazine. 5.41: News (C). 5.46: The Brady Bunch. Comedy (C). 6.13: Artistic Techniques—wood engraving. 6.29: Pop Co. Music (C). 74)0: Network news. 7.22: Weather, The South Tonight 7.47: Coronation Street. 8.17: The World at War (C). 9.10: Newsbrief (C). 9.21: Nationwide. Current affairs. 9.44: On the Buses. Comedy (C). 10.13: Great Mysteries (C). 10.42: Late news and weather (C).

NATIONAL LINK I [lncluding 3YA Christchurch (690 kilohertz): 2YA Wellington (570 kilohertz); 4 YA Dunedin (7-50 kilohertz): and 3YZ Greymouth (950 kilohertz.) 7 p.m.: N.Z.B.C. Sports News. 7.20: Gardening Today. 7.30: Onslow Brass Band. Cimarosa: Overture: The Impresario; Ball: In Switzerland; Trad: Early One Morning; Knipper: Cavalry of the Steppes; Walker Chi Chi; Nicholls: Cavalcade of Martial Songs. 8.0: Faith and Works. 8.30: Weather and News, Checkpoint. 9.0: The Archers. 10.0: Gemutlichkeit! 10.30: N.Z.B.C. News, Comment, Weather. 10.45: Don Juan. 11.0: 8.8. C. News, Commentary. 11.15: Rugby League. 1’1.18: All Night Programme. 3YC, CHRISTCHURCH (960 kilohertz) 7 p.m.: Debussy: Le Balcon; Harmony at evening; Waterplay. 7.23: Ibert: 3 Short Pieces. 7.30: Spectrum. 8.0: David Farquhar: Symphony. 8.25: Wolf: If you your lover die of

love; Secrecy: An old painting; Spring is here; When you look up at me; How many hours I’ve wasted; Play your game, my love; Anacreon’s grave. 8.43: Concerto for Solo Piano — pari of Charles Alkan’s Twelve Studies in the Minor Keys, Op. 39. 9.37: Folk Song Arrangements by Ralph Vaughan Williams. The dark eyed sailor; The springtime of the year; Just as the tide was flowing; The lover’s ghost: Wassail song. 9.53: Darius Milhaud: String Septei (1964). 10.11: Revolutionary Theory Post Allende. 10.21: Bizet: Symphony No. 1. 10.48: Poems by John Dryden. 3ZB, CHRISTCHURCH (1100 kilohertz) 7.30 p.m.: Chris MuirheadiJohn Reid. Those were the Days. 9.5: Tryline with Ron Finlay. 10.2: Danse Macabre. 3ZM, CHRISTCHURCH (1400 kilohertz) 8.2 p.m.: Hit Wave! 10.0: Top of the Top 20. 103 Iguana.