It was fantastic to hear from Calder Jon about this shortlisting for a radio play that was recorded on the Isle of Wight with Graham Pountney of ScreenTest Productions. Ed
The shortlist for the BBC Audio Drama Awards 2013 has been announced, ahead of the awards ceremony later this month at Broadcasting House – and an Isle of Wight studio has recorded the play that is one of the final three shortlisted for an Award.
Inventive independent production company, ScreenTest Productions owned by Graham Pountney, has secured a phenomenal listing – up against the likes of BBC home-grown radio plays from Radio 3 and Radio 4 – their short play “Varanasi” by Silva Semerciyan is one of three short-listed productions for the coveted BBC International Online Audio Drama Awards 2013.
Recorded in Wootton
Recorded in the Wootton recording Studios, Isle of Wight, the play has been produced and directed by Graham Pountney who has strong Island connections – he won an Isle of Wight Short-film Film Festival Award a couple of years ago and his parents live on the Island.
Engineered, recorded and co-produced by Island presenter and studio engineer Calder Jon; the cast were brought to the island to create the atmosphere of the Holy City of Varanasi on the River Ganges in India.
Close links to the Island
Graham Pountney has been an actor closely associated with the Island for nearly 40 years. He has produced and directed short films [One Design, EyeCatcher, Rescue Me] on the Island – has starred in productions filmed on the Island – and appeared as a regular character [Mark Foster] in Howards Way, which was shot in Southampton area in the 1980s.
This achievement – like a David versus Goliath, pitches the small independent against the big players from the BBC and a Dr Who audio spin-off starring Julian Wadham, Sylvester McCoy, Paul McGann, Paul Darrow and Jenny Agutter !
Immense contribution from all involved
Graham says that ScreenTest Productions acknowledges the immense contribution made by everyone concerned, actors, technical staff, and producing team.
This small, vibrant enterprise has achieved such status without any funding or sponsorship, using its own resources and creative impact. Graham is deeply proud of everyone who has contributed to this fantastic achievement.
He’s keeping his fingers crossed to win the BBC Best Online Only Audio Drama award for 2013!
You can listen to the radio play by visiting The Radio Play Website – page down to see the audio player.
