Promo producer for Main Event Channel

GMcG: So how did you start in the industry?

DB: I worked for my fathers mechanical repair business, but secretly I wanted to work in television.  When I was twenty four, I moved to Brisbane (from Townsville) and did work experience for a company called Telemission.  That time taught me a lot of the basics of production.  I was called Tripod Man, because a lot of my time was spent carrying tripods (not for any other reason).  I then went back to Townsville and worked part time for the news department.  I did everything, camera, sound, lighting, editing, floor manager, that's the good thing about regional TV.  Eventually I was producing some ads for the NBL and ended up directing/switching the news.

GMcG: Where to from there?

DB: I went the UK, no job ready for me.  In fact, I ended up packing frozen foods for a while before getting a job with Meridian Television.  From there I went to BSkyB as a promo producer.  That was a great place to learn more. A good group of producers and a policy of creating good promos.

After a few years there I came back to Australia and worked at TEN, the Lifestyle Network for five years, MTV and now Main event.

GMcG: How's Main Event?

DB: I like it.  The channel actually spends money and time on promos.  They understand what a difference it makes, and it shows in their take-up.

GMcG: Do you have anyone who inspired you?

DB: Bruce Dunlop at BSkyB.  He really pushed me to do better and to learn more.  He did it with everyone.

GMcG: Is there any technology that you like to use?

DB: Avid.  It really changed everything for me. It opens so many doors creatively.  Having produced on linear systems for years, it was a real eye opener.  I also like Pro-Tools.  Sound is really important to me and Tools allows me to do things in new ways.

GMcG: Do those tools bring any negative effects?

DB: Skills are being lost I think.  I mean in a scripting sense especially.  Avid has allowed anyone to become an editor and therefore a producer (in some peoples eyes).  But you have to be more than that to produce good work.  It's about being creative and experienced with your product to grab the viewer.

GMcG: What's the most fulfilling production you've done?

DB: I won a International Gold Promax while I was at the lifestyle Channel.  That was great, especially because I saw what I was up against at the ceremony.  There was some great stuff.  Very humbling.

GMcG: So what makes a good promo?

DB: A good script is essential, and I'm very big on the soundtrack.  If I can tell the story with sound and voice, then the pictures will only add to that.  If you shoot great pictures and get good performances, that works more magic.  A good promo has to play with your emotions and give the viewer something to grab onto, and it has to do it quickly!  I'm not big on spending a lot of time with graphics.  Not saying they don't help, but I wouldn't make them the focus of the promo. They add some class, a sweetener.  

GMcG: Are there different areas of production you'd like to get into?

DB: Yeah, some long form work.  I have ideas for some programmes.

GMcG: What are your thoughts on the current industry?

DB: As far as promos go, I think its a bit stale.  It's dollar driven rather than creatively driven and the output is very conservative.

GMcG: Where do you see the industry in ten years time?

DB: I reckon there will be a lot of pay per view.  As everyone gets busier, we don't have the ability to sit down at a time when the network decides, but rather have it when we decide.  Especially the good programmes. Broadband will change all that. I think free to air will still be around, but I don't think it will be as popular.

GMcG: What's your most forgettable moment in television?

DB: Just after the birth of my first child, I was having a 'life' moment, re-evaluating what's important in life.  I wrote a letter to my department head about my thoughts on things.  Maybe I shouldn't have been so candid...  It caused a lot of tears.  Mind you, they didn't sack me, because most of it was true.

GMcG: What's your favourite TV show at the moment?

DB: American Chopper.  My sport is dirt bike riding.  So there's a good connection there for me.

GMcG: Bikes reminds me of your postie chopper.

DB: Yes, I'm in the process of re-modelling old postie bikes into choppers.  They'll be a sort of Moped alternative I call them an OGG.  It's a long story...

GMcG: Do they come with the post bags either side and a green vest?

DB: No.

GMcG: Bummer.

A big thank you to Darren for giving us his time and good luck with the OGG.