Latest news with #EmmaHindley
Edinburgh Reporter
3 days ago
- Edinburgh Reporter
TV – Piper Alpha documentary series announced
It was the world's worst offshore oil disaster, which claimed the lives of 167 people. Now a new BBC documentary series promises to give 'the fullest account yet' of the Piper Alpha disaster and its aftermath. The disaster occurred at 10pm on 6 July 1988, when a series of explosions ripped through one of the North Sea's flagship oil platforms, 120 miles off the coast of Aberdeen. The tragedy claimed the lives of 167 people as flames engulfed the platform, with only 61 survivors. Now, 37 years later, The Piper Alpha Disaster, from BBC Studios for BBC Two, BBC Scotland and iPlayer will revisit the events of that night and the months that followed to reveal 'a bigger, untold story'. The three hour-long episodes will explore the rush for North Sea 'black gold', the working families shattered by the tragedy and its legacy on industry and individuals for decades afterwards. Piper Alpha was the most productive oil rig in the North Sea. In 1979 it was converted to also send gas back to shore. An explosion occurred when an out of service condensate pump was started after its pressure valve had been removed for a routine examination. Within four hours the platform was destroyed. A Public Inquiry led by Lord Cullen would later reveal a flawed safety culture within the main US owned operator, Occidental and in the North Sea more widely. It made 106 recommendations for offshore oil safety, but no criminal charges were brought. Piper Alpha was the last major oil rig disaster in the North Sea. At the heart of the series will be the unique and compelling testimony heard in the Cullen Inquiry, from men who survived the disaster, whose words, revoiced by actors, tell a remarkable human story of tragedy, heroism and an uncompromising quest for the truth. The films will also feature interviews with the 'unheard voices' – wives, partners and children whose lives were changed forever, and medics, lawyers and journalists who were caught up in the disaster – to reveal an in-depth picture of the tragedy, the forces behind it and its far-reaching aftermath. A spokesperson for the BBC said described the series as 'an emotional retelling of an unforgettable event with resonances that remain'. They continued: 'This is the story of working families, of terrible failures of safety and of a community devastated by loss. It reveals how the oil boom of the 80s transformed entire communities with new lucrative work opportunities, whilst also putting them at deadly risk.' Emma Hindley, Commissioning Editor, BBC Studios Specialist Factual, said: 'This series takes a timely and contemporary view on the UK's worst oil disaster. 'Told from the point of view of the men who were there at the time, their relatives and loved ones, the journalists who reported on it and experts from the inquiry, it gives a visceral, dramatic account of the event itself as well as the effects on the community and the industry worldwide.' Louise Thornton, Head of Commissioning, BBC Scotland, said: 'The Piper Alpha disaster had a huge impact on communities in the Northeast of Scotland and beyond. 'The series will tell this tragic story sensitively and comprehensively, drawing on new interviews and on the detailed testimonies of the Cullen inquiry. 'Over three episodes the series will give the fullest account yet of what went wrong and how the impact of the tragedy continues to affect survivors, relatives, and the industry.' BBC Studios Specialist Factual Productions is a bespoke unit making premium output in the history, arts, music, and culture space. Recent titles include the Grierson Award winning Inside Our Autistic Minds with Chris Packham; the RTS-winning Fight The Power: How Hip Hop Changed the World with Public Enemy's Chuck D; travelogue Tucci in Italy; and Cold War thriller Secrets and Spies: A Nuclear Game. Like this: Like Related
Yahoo
27-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
BBC Storyville Seeking New Head Following Role Closures & 20% Reduction In Films
The BBC's storied documentary strand Storyville is restructuring and seeking a new head. A trio of roles have been closed including Lead Commissioning Editor Emma Hindley's post and a new Head of Storyville is being sought from today, while the number of films commissioned per year will drop by 20%, although annual budget remains the same. The new chief will be joined by an assistant commissioner and team assistant. Alongside Hindley's, the other two roles to close are the Commissioning Editor and Commissioning Co-ordinator. More from Deadline Sunny Side Of The Doc's Awards Go To 'Heart', 'Restless Farewell', 'Mama,' 'In Front Of Us', 'Leonard Cohen: Behind The Iron Curtain' & More BBC News Presenters Back Demand For Strike Vote As Colleagues Face Compulsory Layoffs BBC To Charge U.S. Audiences For News For First Time Initial news of the restructure was announced in an internal email sent round several months back by then-BBC unscripted boss Kate Phillips, who has since taken on the Chief Content Officer role. A job ad was then posted this afternoon seeking a Head of Storyville, who will be 'responsible for developing, directing and deploying the strategy for this genre in line with the BBC's broader digital first strategy, and will represent the BBC within international markets with documentary film makers.' The job pays up to £167,000 ($230,000) per year dependent on experience. The new Storyville structure will sit under Fiona Campbell, the BBC's Controller of Youth Audience, BBC iPlayer & BBC Three. Films will be reduced by 20% per year 'due to the pressures of global financing,' according to Phillips' email, but the annual undisclosed budget remains the same. Moving into Campbell's team will 'enable Storyville to capitalise on synergies with the acquisitions team in how we build relationships with distributors and content partners,' added Phillips. The BBC's documentary strand is hugely respected, winning awards aplenty and recently airing the likes of White Man Walking, The Wolves Always Come At Night and October 7 doc We Will Dance Again, the latter of which just won a News & Documentary Emmy. Former Brook Lapping creative chief Hindley took over from Philippa Kowarsky in early 2023, having done the job temporarily for several months. She has been involved with plenty of respected docs during her tenure but also courted controversy. In late 2023, she was reported to have embraced the director of a Storyville-backed film on stage at the International Documentary Festival Amsterdam after he had made remarks deemed by some to be antisemitic. At the time she said she had hugged Mohammed Almughanni because he 'was visibly distressed,' adding: 'Hugging him wasn't a political statement or an endorsement of anybody's views, it was an instinctive human reaction. I'm sorry if my actions have upset anyone – my intentions were quite the opposite.' Best of Deadline 'The Buccaneers' Season 2 Soundtrack: From Griff To Sabrina Carpenter 'The Buccaneers' Season 2 Release Schedule: When Do New Episodes Come Out? 'Nine Perfect Strangers' Season 2 Release Schedule: When Do New Episodes Come Out?
Yahoo
27-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
BBC Storyville Seeking New Head Following Role Closures & 20% Reduction In Films
The BBC's storied documentary strand Storyville is restructuring and seeking a new head. A trio of roles have been closed including Lead Commissioning Editor Emma Hindley's post and a new Head of Storyville is being sought from today, while the number of films commissioned per year will drop by 20%, although annual budget remains the same. The new chief will be joined by an assistant commissioner and team assistant. Alongside Hindley's, the other two roles to close are Commissioning Editor and Commissioning Co-ordinator. More from Deadline Sunny Side Of The Doc's Awards Go To 'Heart', 'Restless Farewell', 'Mama,' 'In Front Of Us', 'Leonard Cohen: Behind The Iron Curtain' & More BBC News Presenters Back Demand For Strike Vote As Colleagues Face Compulsory Layoffs BBC To Charge U.S. Audiences For News For First Time Initial news of the restructure was announced in an internal email sent round several months back by then-BBC unscripted boss Kate Phillips, who has since taken on the Chief Content Officer role. A job ad was then posted this afternoon seeking a Head of Storyville, who will be 'responsible for developing, directing and deploying the strategy for this genre in line with the BBC's broader digital first strategy, and will represent the BBC within international markets with documentary film makers.' The job pays up to £167,000 ($230,000) per year dependent on experience. The new Storyville structure will sit under Fiona Campbell, the BBC's Controller of Youth Audience, BBC iPlayer & BBC Three. Films will be reduced by 20% per year 'due to the pressures of global financing,' according to Phillips' email, but the annual undisclosed budget remains the same. Moving into Campbell's team will 'enable Storyville to capitalise on synergies with the acquisitions team in how we build relationships with distributors and content partners,' added Phillips. The BBC's documentary strand is hugely respected, winning awards aplenty and recently airing the likes of White Man Walking, The Wolves Always Come At Night and October 7 doc We Will Dance Again, the latter of which just won a News & Documentary Emmy. Former Brook Lapping creative chief Hindley took over from Philippa Kowarsky in early 2023, having done the job temporarily for several months. She has been involved with plenty of respected docs during her tenure but also courted controversy. In late 2023, she was reported to have embraced the director of a Storyville-backed film on stage at the International Documentary Festival Amsterdam after he had made remarks deemed by some to be antisemitic. At the time she said she had hugged Mohammed Almughanni because he 'was visibly distressed,' adding: 'Hugging him wasn't a political statement or an endorsement of anybody's views, it was an instinctive human reaction. I'm sorry if my actions have upset anyone – my intentions were quite the opposite.' Best of Deadline 'The Buccaneers' Season 2 Soundtrack: From Griff To Sabrina Carpenter 'The Buccaneers' Season 2 Release Schedule: When Do New Episodes Come Out? 'Nine Perfect Strangers' Season 2 Release Schedule: When Do New Episodes Come Out?
