Special Guest Northern Highlight - Vanessa Amberleigh Genre Lead Preschool, BBC Children’s Productions

SPECIAL GUEST NORTHERN HIGHLIGHT

VANESSA AMBERLEIGH
 Genre Lead Preschool, BBC Children’s Productions

1. How long have you been working as the Genre Lead Preschool at the BBC in Manchester?   

I have been working for BBC Children’s In House as an Executive Producer for the last 7 years, and for just over 2 years as Genre Lead of Preschool. Although I did work at the BBC in 2002 (in London) as a freelancer on the launch of the CBeebies Channel, so I have a real passion for the channel and its young audience. Working as a freelancer, I produced many series for the BBC (and other broadcasters) across all genres.

2. What are the advantages of being based in Manchester? 

 Great diversity of voices, great talent, amazing locations and some fabulous studios. And yes, people are friendly and helpful. Plus, being in the North West gives BBC Children’s a strong voice in the broadcasting community here.

3. What are your new and exciting children’s programmes?  

We are always looking for new ideas and new inspirations. Of course, I can’t give too much away about what we are up to, and Covid 19 has had a massive impact on what we are producing this year and next, as many of our productions were forced to halt. In Preschool, it’s great to give local kids opportunities to take part in all the variety of CBeebies content. Justin’s House was first filmed in the North (Salford) and continues to do so. We also film YolanDa’s Band Jam and GiggleQuiz in Manchester studios.

4. What for you is the 'spirit of North’?  

Friendliness and humour. There is a real sense of warmth in the North (although I am a Southern girl, my husband and father are from the North) and that is something we can capture in our content for the youngest audience. And friendliness and humour are such important qualities to demonstrate to little ones. It’s been a tricky time for them, so if we can demonstrate these positive qualities in all we offer, that can only benefit them now and growing up.

5. Who for you are the great Northern writers and illustrators?  

As so much of my context is TV, there are the big Northern names that broke through in a difficult industry such as Jimmy McGovern and Sally Wainwright. Russel T Davies wrote some great scripts for us, including the BAFTA winning Christmas special on Old Jack’s Boat, starring the wonderful Bernard Cribbins, set in Staithes, North East. As for illustrators, we are spoilt by the wonderful animation companies based around us but I am always open to seeing the work of new writers and new illustrators for TV. 

6. Why is it so important that we continue to support the creative industries in Manchester?  

 For too long London has been the hub of so much of our media but we know that creative talent is everywhere. It is so brilliant knowing that the North West is home to so many animation companies, media companies and TV production companies – all bring a unique voice to the content they produce. 

7.    What would you like to see from the creative industries in Manchester?  
I love the opportunity for creatives to get together – be that to celebrate achievement, share new ideas or just have a good old knees-up. Manchester is home to the wonderful MIF and the Manchester Animation Festival, and it has so much to offer the creative industry. The more events and shouting Manchester does, the better for a world where creativity is at its heart.