About this season
Video Diaries was a BBC television programme produced by the Community Programme Unit. The series of programmes was created in 1990 by producer Jeremy Gibson. The programme's production team offered members of the public basic video training and ongoing support. The diarist was then left to gather their material with a camcorder. They would then have further support in editing and post-production During 1991 - 1992 Bob Long was a producer. By 1993 the programmes was developed into the Video Nation project.
Episodes (7)
1. The Secret Diary of Joseph Erber (Aged 12¾)
Aired 3 January 1998
The documentary series of personal video histories begins a four-part run with an insight into the life and thoughts of Joseph Erber, a child with a mild form of autism. Last year, he became the youngest composer ever to have his work performed by the London Symphony Orchestra.
2. The Flying Scotswoman.
Aired 10 January 1998
An account of the first months at Westminster of Anne Begg , Britain's first wheelchair- using MP, who entered Parliament at the last election after 19 years as a teacher in Scotland. Her hectic schedule includes her maiden speech, an invitation to 10 Downing Street and the problems of finding somewhere to live in London. Although expecting some press interest on account of a hereditary condition that results in brittle bones, she isn'tfully prepared forthe overwhelming degree of press preoccupation.
3. The Last Resort
Aired 17 January 1998
An insight into the high-pressure life of Steve Malone, head of a night-time mental-health team based in Paddington, London. The team he leads are summoned to attend to people who require more help than the traditional emergency services can provide.
4. Gene Genie
Aired 7 February 1998
Paul Nurse , leading scientist and director-general of the Imperial Cancer Research Fund, has devoted his career to helping find a cure for the highly complex disease. The fund needs a weekly injection of £1 million in order to operate and, with only one per cent of this sum coming from the Government, Nurse is also at the forefront of fund-raising. This film follows him as he tries to balance the demands on his time.
5. Our Man in Othello
Aired 5 October 1998
A candid record of the Royal National Theatre's tour of the Far East with their production of Othello. Filmed by David Harewood, who was the first black actor to play the lead role at the National.
6. Last Chance on Thin Ice
Aired 6 October 1998
For explorer David Hempleman-Adams, reaching the North Pole has always been his most elusive goal. This year, with his Norwegian companion Rune Gjeldnes, he used a camcorder to record every stage of their tortuous walk.
7. Video Diaries
Aired 7 October 1998
Businessman Jivi, who has lived all his life in Birmingham, decides to pay a visit to his grandmothers in India, then sets off to see the rest of the country.