Welcome to Culture Footprint, featuring one of the people of God making a difference in the world today, aiming to be an inspiring presence and telling the story of Christ in the culture.
Andrew Graystone is the Director of the Churches Media Council, a national body that builds bridges between the Christian community and the media. He aims to support Christians working in the media, and challenge the media industry to live up to its high calling. He regularly writes and presents programmes for BBC Radio 2 and Radio 4, including Daily Service and Sunday Worship. He also trains and advises Christian groups on how best to engage with the fast-changing media environment. Andrew worked for BBC Religion for over a decade, as a producer and as Development Executive. He stood as a Labour Party candidate in the 2005 General Election, though can't altogether remember why. When the sun shines Andrew supports Stockport County FC, because God favours the weak.
As a child what did you want to be when you grew up?
Either an orchestra conductor, a midwife or a clown. Looking at the work I'm doing, it probably combines something of all three.
How did you get involved in media?
Entirely by accident. I was unemployed, living in Manchester and didn't want to move. I saw a job advert for a TV Researcher at the BBC. I thought "How hard can that be?" So I applied. Apparently, so did 799 other people. On my first day at work my new boss said "Never forget there are 799 people still in the queue for your job." No pressure then.
My cultural highlight of this year so far is...
Probably watching the Oscar-winning documentary Man on Wire. Or it might have been the surprisingly inventive Macbeth at the Manchester Royal Exchange. No, it was seeing Leonard Cohen live in concert. He's 73 now, but he played for three hours straight, then skipped off the stage like a teenager. "There ain't no cure for love."
Who has been the biggest influence in your work?
Pastorally, probably Revd Ian Bunting, who was my first boss (when I worked in a church in North East England). He said he valued his staff according to how much nuisance they caused, and that I had not disappointed him! Managerially, it would be Chris Loughlin, my long-term long-suffering boss at the BBC.
What is the big issue you are facing in media?
We're living at the cusp of a digital revolution that will change so much. Already it's changing the way we shop, bank, play and communicate. Increasingly it will transform the way we perceive ourselves, the way we form communities and the way we form our beliefs. The media industry has barely begun to formulate values for the new era. The church has a lot of catching-up to do.
Which movie character do you most relate to?
Forrest Gump.
The interview Frost/Nixon has been turned into a film. Which one next?
The research interview I did with Stephen Hawking when I was a newly appointed TV Researcher would probably make a good movie. I spent one and a half days with just him and me, head to head. I was battling to get him to admit that he believes in God. A unique experience.
Tell us one of your most hilarious faux pas.
I was out filming a driving sequence with a presenter behind the wheel. As a fresh TV Director, very conscious of my health and safety training, I'd prepared a long lecture on safe practice whilst filming and driving. "Tell me," I began, "have you ever driven whilst being filmed before?" "Well," she said, "I did present Top Gear for 5 years. Does that count?"
What's the one thing you couldn't live without?
My mobile. Sad but true.
What living person do you most admire, and why?
Hmmm. There are so many. As an artist – probably Leonard Cohen. As a Christian leader - maybe Bishop David Jenkins? As a person - probably my 18 year-old daughter Ruth.
What is your most treasured possession?
Broo, my ancient blue teddy bear.
What do you consider your greatest achievement so far?
Someone once asked Cliff Richard what his greatest achievement was. He said "that I've never hit a journalist." I'm not sure about my greatest achievement, but I'm proud of having once persuaded The Sun to devote its entire centre-fold to an illustrated version of a Bible story.
Who would you put in a celebrity Big Brother house?
Archbishop John Sentamu (though I believe he's already said no).
What Christian story or biblical text motivates you in your work?
I love the book of Habbakuk – where Habbakuk complains to God about why the world is in such a mess and why he isn't doing anything about it. God says (in Habbakuk 1 verse 5) Look among the nations, and watch, and be utterly amazed...because I am doing a work in your age that you wouldn't believe, even if you were told. Well God, I'm looking.
Martin Luther King Jr had a dream for society. What is yours?
This is not quite a dream for society, but I have a dream of a network to provide encouragement, support, challenge and discipleship for Christians and others who work in the media.
What is the main hindrance to living the dream?
This is not quite a dream for society, but I have a dream of a network to provide encouragement, support, challenge and discipleship for Christians and others who work in the media.
I didn't get where I am today without...
...being where I was yesterday.
What makes you angry?
People (especially Christians) who can't let go of the past.
How can media bring wellbeing in society over the next 10 years?
Digital media create fantastic opportunities to connect people, educate and inform people. But all the talk I hear in media policy circles is about monetising the digital space. That's such a poor, limited ambition. We need a much bigger vision for how we can use the new technology God has given us.
Tell us a joke
"Doctor, I've been watching so much TV that I think I'm going deaf." "What are the symptoms?" "They're a yellow cartoon family from Springfield."
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Culture Footprint: John Forrest John Forrest is about to celebrate 40 years of employment in the media - including BBC and commercial radio, ITV and BBC TV. He started with a new radio station and over the years went on to develop two passions in his programme making - music and faith. Technology has moved along dramatically during that time, but in many ways media systems and control are the same as ever. As he has been a freelancer for the last nine years his portfolio has developed enormously and he is now directing the Insight Film Festival, which wants to encourage people of all backgrounds to make films about faith. www.insightfestival.co.uk
Culture Footprint: Rachel Thorpe Rachel Thorpe recently graduated from Cambridge with a degree in English, is spending a year working for Christian Heritage in Cambridge, where she organises courses and events and writes about the relationship between faith and popular culture. "In my spare time, I read a lot, write a lot, buy more books than I should, drink coffee, go to the theatre, and talk to people. I am passionate about local community, about creativity, and about encouraging Christians to approach their faith thoughtfully".
Culture Footprint: Duncan Williams Duncan Williams is a Director on the board of Independent News Ltd. Buying up formally loss making regional newspapers, fast tracking them into profit, Duncan has gained a portfolio of titles launched specifically at improving communication within local communities. He was born in Plymouth. His grandfather was a local vicar in Cornwall.
He likes old creaky films (Cliffhanger Serials from the 1930s and ‘40s, George Formby or Will Hay comedies and Hammer horror films), travel, meeting new people, understanding cultures and belief systems. He has a lifelong passion for the sea and if possible would like to run his media 'empire' from a boat; "Just like a James Bond villain”, jokes his family.
Culture Footprint: Fiona Julian Fiona Julian is a freelance communications consultant with a portfolio ranging from company PR to consultancy in the voluntary sector. Fiona worked in publishing as a freelance artist, and has worked in media for 15 years. At Hope FM Fiona is "Jill of all trades"- presenter, host, researcher, technician and producer of her own show. A self-op without a safety net. Fiona loves to see people reaching their potential. "People who are living the dream are an inspiration and I hope that I'm on the way to being one of those people".
Culture Footprint: Daniel Cooling Daniel Cooling studied at the University of the Arts (Wimbledon), has a degree in theology and has done postgraduate work in the relationship between theology and the arts at St. Andrews University and the London School of Theology where he is currently a part-time researcher. He has previously worked as a desktop engineer, church researcher, artist, handyman, librarian and bursar. Hence, he considers himself a jack of all trades. He lives in Oxfordshire and also works as PA to Kim Tan at SpringHill Management and occasionally preaches, teaches, lectures, serves in the musical worship team in his church and enjoys gardening in his spare time.
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