Sunday 3 February 2008

Phil Collinson Heads For Manchester

Phil Collinson, Producer of Doctor Who, suggested in a chistmas special podcast that he would be leaving Doctor Who after finishing Series 4. This has now been confirmed as he is moving to BBC Manchester to be Head Of Drama for the region. In Phil's new job he will be responsible for developing links with regional talent, on sceen and off screen, aswell as contributing to shows to the overall BBC drama scedule. Here is what the Official Doctor Who Site had to say:

"Phil has been the secret hero of Doctor Who for the past four years, and we'll miss him more than I can say," noted Russell T Davies, executive producer and lead writer of Doctor Who. "But the most exciting thing about this new job is that so many more producers, writers and actors will get to work with him. I envy them."

"The four years I've spent producing Doctor Who in Cardiff have been incredibly rewarding," said Phil. "The chance to return home to Manchester though and start something completely new, is irresistible. Manchester has always been an amazing centre for excellence in drama production and the chance to establish a formal BBC drama base there, and build on the massive range of local talent, is incredibly exciting. I'm thrilled and honoured to be charged with this task."

Peter Salmon, chief creative officer for the BBC's Vision Productions noted: "Phil Collinson is a terrific addition to a brilliant top team working on in-house drama throughout the UK. BBC drama production will play a substantial role at the new BBC centre at Mediacity:uk through Phil and his team."

I'd like to just take the time to wish the best of luck for Phil in his new job and thank him for all his great work on Doctor Who.

5 comments:

Gaz said...

It's a shame he's leaving, but it's good for him, and that's what matters.

Doctor Who Hideout said...

Good Luck on your New Job Phil. :)
BBC Manchester are lucky to have you!

D.R.P. said...

Sad to see him leaving. But he will enjoy Manchester. Good luck on your new job!

Mark said...

Good luck to Phil, he's been great and I would like to thank him for all the work he has done on Doctor Who and it's spin off's. Best of luck to him in the future, great post.

Mark Whitfield said...

I thought Bad Wolf PR Blog readers might be interested to know the current status of the actual build for MediaCity:UK in Salford Quays as of May 8th (11pm), 2008.

The site now consists of 12 cranes with a reported 8 more on the way (3 more crane bases in place). All of the concrete cores of the new BBC building look to be in place or started, rising to 9-10 storeys (maybe more) for the highest cores. The cores are currently being surrounded by concrete pillars up to 6-7 storeys currently. There are upto 400 workers on site currently with a proposed 1000+ to be posted eventually with 20 cranes in all (according to unconfirmed reports from workers on-site).

The land for the taller buildings off to the side of the main BBC building (right from the Lowry Centre side) is still being dug and prepared but more temporary cabins are in place off Broadway (the road that runs through the back of the Quays) presumably to house more MediaCity:UK project staff and a contingent of the BBC (cameramen) looking at the latest articles across the internet.

The current phase of the build occupies 35-40 acres (next to the City Lofts flats) with other phases planned across the water on the Imperial War Museum side.

The overall site is something of the order of 200 acres but no visible signs of development has started outside the main phase 1 area currently. No doubt this will depend on discussions with other media companies being persuaded to join the MediaCity:UK estate.

For a photographic timeline for December / May and beyond (and pictures back to May of last year), go to Google and search on ‘BBC Salford Quays Approved - Media City : UK whitfield’ in Google or goto ‘www.mawhitfield.co.uk/mcuk.htm’. This link always re-directs to the current months pictures.

Judging be the pace of the development, there is a big push on to meet the 2010/11 date for the first phase completion.

Those currently thinking about a career in the media by way of a chosen degree (media studies, photography etc.) might be one of the 15,500 new jobs to be created between now and 2011 in the first phase of this build. Also, the price of properties (and especially flats) in the area will almost certainly rise as a result of the considerable development occuring in this location with new flats being built currently.

I have worked as an IT Manager in Salford Quays for 13 years and live in North Bolton. When I first came here, the skyline of the Quays area was relatively flat but now houses such buildings as The Designer Outlet (80 outlet stores), The iconic Lowry and Imperial War Museum Buildings and new flat developments which continue to be built in anticipation of the BBC move and general growth in this area.

Hope this update helps.