Banijay Group is the world's largest independent content creation Group for television and multimedia platforms. Banijay Group is present in 16 territories.
Banijay Group is the world's largest independent content creation Group for television and multimedia platforms. Banijay Group is present in 16 territories.

Tag Archive: Damian Barr

  1. IWC to Make Shelf Isolation Series for BBC Scotland

    Comments Off on IWC to Make Shelf Isolation Series for BBC Scotland

    IWC, a Banijay Group company, today announces it has been commissioned to make an 3×30’ series, Shelf Isolation for BBC Scotland.

     

    At a time where we are being asked to stay indoors, some of us may now be able to read more books, watch that classic movie and finally catch up on one of those box-sets our friends have been raving about. In this brand-new series, Shelf Isolation, award-winning author and cultural guru, Damian Barr, will be remotely meeting with some famous Scottish names to get their tips on what to read, watch and listen to. The line-up includes actor, Mark Bonnar (Quiz, Shetland, Line of Duty, Guilt, Catastrophe), comedian, actor, writer and director, Greg Hemphill (Still Game, Chewin’ the Fat), and award-winning crime writer, playwright and graphic novelist, Denise Mina.

     

    Damian will be interviewing his guests from his home via an app to record the discussion and giving us a window into their homes. In these intimate talks, he will not only be finding out what cultural pleasures our guests would most recommend to help get us through these troubled times, but also the emotional impact they have and how they reveal something about their own lives.

     

    Pauline Law, Executive Producer and Head of Factual at IWC said:“Damian’s passion for literature and culture, and his skills as an intelligent and nuanced interviewer make him the perfect presenter to get recommendations out of some of Scotland’s best-loved celebrities. We are looking forward to finding creative and innovative ways to produce this show for BBC Scotland in these extraordinary times.”

     

    Damian Barr said: “The books, films and music we love say so much about us – every time we pick up a novel or sit down to another box set, we add another chapter to the story of ourselves.  And they give us the chance to forget about the world around us and disappear somewhere else, if only for a while.  Right now we can’t leave home but we can still travel and meet new people and have new experiences in books, tv and film “Shelf Isolation” gives us a unique glimpse into how some well-known folk are self-isolating as they reveal what’s getting them through –  the classics they’re returning to or their latest box-set binge.  I’m delighted to be presenting this show and hope it gives viewers (and me!) inspiring, distracting and comforting recommendations. Join us!”

     

    “I’m looking forward to a new series of The Big Scottish Book Club later in the year but in the meantime,  “Shelf Isolation” will provide some much needed fun, humour but also insightful chat on what are the best books, movies and box sets to catch up on at this time” says Gareth Hydes, Commissioning Editor, BBC Scotland… “Damian Barr was a great host for the first series of Big Scottish Book Club and there couldn’t be anyone better to get some top names opening up about their favourite books and entertainment choices. ”

     

    The series has been commissioned by Gareth Hydes, commissioning editor BBC Scotland, and is Executive Produced by Pauline Law for IWC.  Shelf Isolation will be distributed globally by Banijay Rights.

  2. IWC’s The Big Scottish Book Club Returns to BBC Scotland

    Comments Off on IWC’s The Big Scottish Book Club Returns to BBC Scotland

    IWC, a Banijay Group company, has been commissioned to make another 8×60’ series of arts show, The Big Scottish Book Club, for BBC Scotland. Produced in Glasgow, the second run follows the critical success of the first season.

    The Big Scottish Book Club will return with award-winning author Damian Barr, who once again will interview acclaimed writers from the worlds of fiction, non-fiction and poetry, to discuss their work on stage in front of a live audience. Filmed in different locations around Scotland, each episode has a theme, from love to loss, survival to betrayal, allowing Barr to delve into, not only the writer’s books, but their own personal stories.

    Series one had a high-profile line-up of guests from Scotland, the UK and the wider world including Ian Rankin, Graham Norton, Marian Keyes, David Nicholls, John Niven, Denise Mina, and Janice Galloway.

    Damian Barr said: “I’m delighted that viewers had as much fun watching The Big Scottish Book Club as we had making it. So many folk fell in love with books they might never have picked up otherwise and that’s just the best! I’m delighted that BBC Scotland is bringing us back for a second series. We promise more exclusive readings, book club visits and conversations with the best writers from across Scotland and around the world.”

    Commissioning Editor at BBC Scotland Gareth Hydes said: “I’m delighted that we’ve been able to double the number of episodes of The Big Scottish Book Club when it returns to BBC Scotland later in the year for a second series.  Damian and the whole team delivered a terrific show full of world-class writers and poets. It was packed full of knowledge and all delivered with such an infectious enthusiasm that left us all wanting more.”

    Mark Downie, Creative Director of IWC said: “Damian’s exceptional talent and reputation as a writer and interviewer meant this literary show, made in Scotland, was host to truly world-class guests and international bestsellers. We look forward to continuing this high calibre exploration into the next series for BBC Scotland, which shares our passion for getting people talking about reading.”

    The Big Scottish Book Club was commissioned by Gareth Hydes, Commissioning Editor for BBC Scotland, and is Executive Produced by Mark Downie and Pauline Law for IWC. The Big Scottish Book Club is distributed globally by Banijay Rights.

  3. The Big Scottish Book Club on BBC Scotland

    Comments Off on The Big Scottish Book Club on BBC Scotland

    The Big Scottish Book Club is to be hosted by award-winning author Damian Barr.

     

    Produced by IWC, a Banijay Group company, the new four x 60 series will air later this year on the BBC Scotland channel.

     

    Filmed in two different locations, each week Barr will meet a trio of acclaimed writers from the worlds of fiction, non-fiction and poetry. Some may be from the place where the show is filmed, or their work reflects it; others will be famous writers with a less obvious connection, and some will be literature-loving celebrities who can talk passionately about the works that have played a role in their lives. Each episode will be filmed as live and performed in front of an audience.  This show celebrates books and authors from around the world and shines a spotlight on Scottish Writers.

     

    There will also be items with local book lovers in each episode, with details of the places and contributors to be featured to be announced at a later date.

     

    The format of the show is inspired by Damian Barr’s renowned Literary Salon, currently resident at London’s Savoy Hotel.

     

    As host of the salon, Newarthill-born Barr has interviewed a diverse range of established and emerging names from the literary world ranging from Bret Easton Ellis to Armistead Maupin, Susan Calman, Ian Rankin, Kirsty Wark, Aminatta Forna, Yaa Gasi, Juno Dawson, Caitlin Moran, Alan Cumming and Sathnam Sanghera.

     

    Damian Barr said: “Book sales are higher than ever and book groups continue to flourish (ok, drinking wine and occasionally talking about books). From Wigtown to Aye Write and Edinburgh International, Scotland has some of the best and busiest book festivals in the world. And we’ve given the world some of its finest writers. I’m delighted to host the Big Scottish Book Club and invite everyone to join our conversation, readers and writers across the country and the world. Books are for everyone and so is this show.”

     

    Commissioning executive at BBC Scotland Gareth Hydes said: “In conjunction with Damian and IWC, we have worked to give his renowned salon sessions a Scottish twist for the new channel. There are a lot of great Scottish books and authors to discuss and invite onto the show, but it will also feature the international best sellers, which have got everyone talking.”

     

    Mark Downie, Creative Director of IWC said: “Ever since, as a fan, I first attended Damian’s legendary Literary Salon, I’ve wanted to find a way to bring his electrifying passion for books and beguiling skills as an interviewer to a TV audience. Thanks to the BBC Scotland channel we now can. As a Scottish producer, we are all thrilled to be making a world class series that celebrates Scottish literature for a channel that seeks to reflect the people of Scotland in all their diversity. Our mission with this series is to inspire the whole country to get reading and create a book group for the entire nation, which everyone is welcome to join.”

     

    Damian Barr’s Big Scottish Book Club was commissioned by Gareth Hydes, Commissioning Editor for BBC Scotland and is Executive Produced by Mark Downie for IWC. Damian Barr’s Big Scottish Book Club is distributed globally by Banijay Rights.