Call for Proposals – Sydney Newman, 2023

Call for Proposals

Sydney Newman and The Development of Television and Film in the United Kingdom and Canada, 1941-1984

The Museum of Broadcast Communications describes Sydney Newman as “the most significant agent in the development of British television drama.”[1]But this is only one aspect of Sydney Newman’s (1917-1997) professional experience.  Newman enjoyed a long and interesting career in broadcasting and films.  He played a significant role in the production of television and film both in his native Canada and the United Kingdom. While his ‘claim to fame’ might very well be as creator of Doctor Who and The Avengers, he also worked at the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation as Supervising director of features, documentaries, and outside broadcasts (1952-1958), the Associated British Corporation as head of Drama (1958-1962), the British Broadcasting Corporation as head of Drama (1962-1967), and the National Film Board of Canada as a film editor (1941-1949) and as Commissioner (1970-1975).  He then became a special advisor on film to the Canadian Secretary of State, and was Chief Creative Consultant for the Canadian Film Development Corporation (1978-1984).

His work at these institutions was critical in the development of Canadian and British broadcasting, and popular culture.  His influence was far-reaching.  But thus far, while there have been some studies which have taken into account the particular roles which he has played during his career, no study has taken into account his full career, to provide a more complete picture.

This peer-reviewed collection seeks to understand Sydney Newman’s career in both Canada and in Britain by curating a number of studies on his various professional roles and works. This includes providing an understanding of the development of broadcast television and film, in both countries during the 50s-70s, and the visions of culture he articulated in his work.   Articles can deal with specific aspects of his career, specific institutions (CBC, BBC, NFB), specific programs he developed, his influence as a producer/filmmaker, or administrator.  Biographical articles and critiques are welcome.  

The aim is that the collection taken as a whole, will provide a balanced and transnational look at his varied career during periods of significant development and change in the entertainment industry of both Canada and the United Kingdom.

Proposals should be approximately two hundred words, and sent to gilliandoctor@gmail.com by the 30th of October 2023.  A decision will be communicated by the 30th of November, and final articles should be submitted by the 15 August 2024.

Gillian I Leitch, PhD

Independent Scholar

Co-Chair, Science Fiction Fantasy Area, PCA/ACA

Key Words: Canada, United Kingdom, National Film Board of Canada, Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, British Broadcasting Corporation, Associated British Corporation, television, film, policy, public broadcasting+

Sydney Newman – Image from Doctorwhowatch.com

Sydney Newman – Another kick at the can, 2023

In 2016 I had this brilliant idea to edit a collection on the professional life of Sydney Newman.  It struck me that his career was a great means to focus in on the development and evolution of the television and film industry in Canada and Great Britain.  I had spoken to a publisher who was very interested, and so I wrote and sent out a Call for Papers.  I had two article proposals for the collection, and ultimately had to scrap the plan for the book in 2017.

I had felt that the subject of Sydney Newman would appeal to a wide variety of people – his career spanned some of the pivotal development of television and film in Canada and the UK. He played a decisive role in some of the most important institutions in the two countries, directing their operation. I felt for sure that there would be some historians who study popular culture, communications, media, film/television, nationalisms, and identity would be interested in contributing to a transnational study. I was wrong.

Is the time right now?  I am not sure, but after talking with some colleagues and the representative of the interested publisher, I have been persuaded to try again. 

So why Sydney Newman?

He has been described as a broadcasting pioneer. Certainly, his career at the CBC, BBC, ABC and the NFB at pivotal times in their corporate history has meant he influenced the policy and product of major broadcasters.

Canada:

Sydney Newman (1917-1997) began his working career at the National Film Board of Canada in 1941, working as an editor, producer, and director. He worked on over 350 films in his time there.

As a part of the NFB’s plans to move into television, he was attached to NBC television in New York in 1949. He wrote a series of reports on how television was organized and run there for the Canadian government.

In 1952 he moved to the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, he was Supervising Director of features, documentaries, and outside broadcasts, which included producing Hockey Night in Canada. He then became Supervisor of Drama production in 1954, and oversaw among other programs, General Motors Theatre. 

Writing in 1990, the journalist Paul Rutherford felt that during his time at the CBC in the 1950s, Newman had been a “great champion of both realistic and Canadian drama.” He felt that Newman “came to fulfil the role of the drama impresario with the vision to push people to develop a high-quality and popular style of drama.”

Great Britain:

On the basis of his work at the CBC he was offered a job at ABC television in the UK, and became the Head of Drama there. His work on the program “Armchair Theatre” brought in amazing numbers of viewers and featured up and coming theatre talent such as Alun Owen and Harold Pinter.

Television historian John Caughie stated that “Newman’s insistence that the series would use only original material written for television made Armchair Theatre a decisive moment in the history of British television drama.”

He also was responsible for the series such as “The Avengers” and “Police Surgeon” for ABC.

In 1962 he was hired by the BBC as Head of Drama.  One of his first acts was to divide drama into three departments – series, serials, and plays. He created an anthology series called “The Wednesday Play,” “Doctor Who.”and the “Forsyth Saga.”

Of course, for me, “Doctor Who” is one of his most lasting legacies, a series that has been in production for the last 60 years (save a 15 year hiatus).  But many of his productions have been important markers in television history.

Newman’s biography at the Museum of Broadcast Communications website points out that much of the work Newman is credited for at the BBC was little different from that which had been undertaken by his predecessor Michael Barry, who “also attracted new young original writers … and hired young directors … However, it was the newness and innovation which Newman encouraged in his drama output that is most significant: his concentration on the potential of television as television, for a mass not a middlebrow audience.

Canada Again!

Newman returned to Canada in 1970, and after a brief stint with the Canadian Radio and Television Commission (CRTC), he moved to became Chairman of the National Film Board of Canada. His time there was tumultuous, he was criticized for not speaking French, and not understanding French Canada culture. He was responsible for censuring and banning some productions. He was also responsible for moving production at the NFB to colour, and for securing television spots for the NFB’s production.

The writer Richard Collins felt that “the very experiences that enabled [Newman] to recognize the nature of the NFB’s problem and the need for a change of diction and reorientation to the tastes of Canadians had left him out of touch with Canada.”

When his contract expired in 1975, he became a Special Advisor on film to the Secretary of State, and from 1978 to 1984 he was Chief Creative Consultant to the Canadian Film Development Corporation.

Call For proposals – Sydney Newman Book

The deadline is fast approaching – I am looking for people interested in Sydney Newman – people with expertise on the CBC (1950s), National Film Board of Canada (1940s and 1970s), the BBC and British television in the 1960s.  Please forward to anyone you think might be interested in contributing.

Thank you!

 

Call for Proposals

Sydney Newman – Producing Television and Film Across Borders

Sydney Newman – Image from Doctorwhowatch.com

Probably best known as the creator of the long-running science fiction television series Doctor Who, Sydney Newman played a significant role in the production of television and film both in his native Canada and in the United Kingdom.  The Museum of Broadcast Communications describes Newman as “the most significant agent in the development of British television drama.”[1]  But this is only one aspect of Sydney Newman’s (1917-1997) professional experience.  Newman enjoyed a long and interesting career in broadcasting and films.  While his ‘claim to fame’ might very well be as creator of Doctor Who and Avengers, he also worked at the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation as Supervising director of features, documentaries and outside broadcasts (1952-1958), the Associated British Corporation as head of Drama (1958-1962), the British Broadcasting Corporation as head of Drama (1962-1967), and the National Film Board of Canada as a film editor (1941-1949) and as Commissioner (1970-1975).  He then became a special advisor on film to the Canadian Secretary of State, and was Chief Creative Consultant for the Canadian Film Development Corporation (1978-1984).

 

His work at these institutions was critical in the development of Canadian and British broadcasting, and popular culture.  His influence was far-reaching.  But thus far, while there have been some studies which have taken into account the particular roles which he has played during his career, no study has taken his roles together, to provide a more complete picture.

 

This peer-reviewed collection seeks to understand Sydney Newman’s career in both Canada and in Britain by curating a number of studies on his various professional roles and works. This includes providing an understanding of the world of broadcast television and film, in both countries during the 50s-70s, and the visions of culture he articulated in his work.   Articles can deal with specific aspects of his career, specific institutions, specific programs he developed, his influence as a producer/filmmaker, or administrator.  Biographical articles are also welcome.  The aim is that the collection taken as a whole will provide a balanced look at his varied career in two countries during periods of significant development and change in the entertainment industry of both.

 

[Please note that Sydney Newman’s Memoirs Head of Drama: The Memoir of Sydney Newman will be released by ECW Press on 5^th September 2017.]

 

Proposals should be approximately two hundred words, and sent to gilliandoctor@gmail.com by the 30th of September 2017.  A decision will be communicated by the 30th of November, and final articles should be submitted by the 15 July 2018.

 

Gillian I Leitch, PhD

Independent Scholar

Co-Chair, Science Fiction Fantasy Area, PCA/ACA

 

 

 

 

Key Words: Canada, United Kingdom, National Film Board of Canada, Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, British Broadcasting Corporation, Associated British Corporation, television, film, policy, public broadcasting

[1] http://www.museum.tv/eotv/newmansydne.htm [Accessed 2 April 2017]

 

Call for Proposals – Considering Sydney Newman, 2016

Call for Proposals

“Considering Sydney Newman”

 

Sydney Newman – Image from Doctorwhowatch.com

In light of the recent fiftieth anniversary of the long-running science fiction television series Doctor Who, it seems only fair that some attention be paid to its creator Sydney Newman (1917-1997).  Newman enjoyed a long and interesting career in broadcasting and films.  While his ‘claim to fame’ might very well be as creator of Doctor Who and Avengers, he also worked at the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation as Supervising director of features, documentaries and outside broadcasts (1952-1958), the Associated British Corporation as head of Drama (1958-1962), the British Broadcasting Corporation as head of Drama (1962-1967), and the National Film Board of Canada as a film editor (1941-1949) and as Commissioner (1970-1975).  He then became a special advisor on film to the Canadian Secretary of State, and was Chief Creative Consultant for the Canadian Film Development Corporation (1978-1984).

 

His work at these institutions was important in the history of Canadian and British broadcasting, and popular culture. His influence was far-reaching.  But thus far, while there have been some studies which have taken into account the particular roles which he has played during his career, no study has taken his roles together, to provide a more complete picture.

 

This peer-reviewed collection seeks to understand Sydney Newman in relation to his long career in Canada and in Britain. Articles can deal with specific aspects of his career, specific institutions, specific programs he developed, his influence as a producer/filmmaker, or administrator.  Biographical articles are also welcome.

The aim is that the collection taken as a whole will provide a balanced look at his varied career in two countries during periods of significant development and change in the entertainment industry.

 

Proposals should be approximately two hundred words, and sent to gilliandoctor@gmail.com by the 1^st of September 2016.  A decision will be communicated by the 15^th of September, and final articles should be submitted by the 15 May 2016.

 

Gillian I Leitch, PhD

Independent Scholar

Co-Chair, Science Fiction Fantasy Area, PCA/ACA

 

 

 

 

Key Words: Canada, United Kingdom, National Film Board of Canada, Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, British Broadcasting Corporation, Associated British Corporation, television, film, policy, public broadcasting