Spotlight: The Oxford Media Society Podcast

Jane Thynne is a novelist, journalist and broadcaster. An alumna of St. Anne's, Jane has worked as a journalist for the BBC, The Sunday Times, The Daily Telegraph and The Independent. Passionate about historical fiction, she has published 12 novels. Her most recent, Queen High, was picked as a 2022 Book of the Year by the Daily Telegraph, Financial Times and Guardian.In this episode, Archie Pearman speaks to Jane about her career from her beginnings in broadcasting to her career on Fleet Street. They discuss how her time at Oxford has shaped her career, how journalism has changed over the last 40 years, and her advice for any aspiring journalists or authors to enter the industry. She also shares an insight into her writing process: the challenges and delights of writing historical fiction, the inspiration behind her book 'Widowland,' and how she fights distractions. Jane's anecdotes, advice and nuanced view of the world are invaluable and entertaining - a true pleasure to listen to.Oxford Media Society is the foremost forum within the University of Oxford for discussion about the media industry in the 21st century. The Society hosts interviews with world-class speakers, leads interactive skills and employability workshops, and connects students to organisations and opportunities within the media sphere. To learn more, visit our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or follow us on socials @oxfordmediasocCredits:Host & Editor: Archie PearmanProducer: Antonia RogersDirector: Alice HazellComposer: Henry Nurse

In this episode, Sofia Johanson interviews Rachel Cunliffe. Rachel is the associate political editor of The New Statesman. Having previously served as Comment and Features Editor at City AM, she now covers Westminster and national politics, interviewing MPs such as John Hayes and Chris Skidmore and the head of the Vote Leave campaign, Matthew Elliot. Rachel is a regular contributor to the New Statesmen Podcast, and she also writes about her own life, from "The Disaster House" to personal essays in the Deleted Scenes Column.Rachel discusses her beginnings in journalism, her career over the last decade, and the challenges of being a political journalist in the modern world - from the tumultuous nature of contemporary politics, to facing the real dangers that come with being a journalist in the digital age. She shares the need to be flexible in order to excel in modern journalism, her experiences writing about her own life, and the story behind her favourite interview to date. Oxford Media Society is the foremost forum within the University of Oxford for discussion about the media industry in the 21st century. The Society hosts interviews with world-class speakers, leads interactive skills and employability workshops, and connects students to organisations and opportunities within the media sphere. To learn more, visit our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or follow us on socials @oxfordmediasocCredits:Host & Editor: Sofia Johanson Producer: Eden KilgourDirector: Alice HazellComposer: Henry Nurse

In this episode of Spotlight, Antonia Rogers speaks to the Director of Comedy at the BBC, Jon Petrie. In his extensive career in comedy, he has overseen beloved TV shows such as Friday Night Dinner, the Windsors and People Just Do Nothing. He is responsible for the commissioning of all scripted comedy programmes to the BBC, and his most recent commissions include the third series of The Cleaner, featuring Greg Davies, Cunk's Quest for Meaning, and And Did Those Feet... with Alan Partridge.Jon shares his path into producing TV comedy, and his advice for anyone wanting to enter into the field. Antonia and Jon also discuss the complexities of commissioning comedy for the BBC, and what the purpose of comedy should be. With a career full of highlights, it's a privilege to listen to Jon's expertise and experiences in the industry.Oxford Media Society is the foremost forum within the University of Oxford for discussion about the media industry in the 21st century. The Society hosts interviews with world-class speakers, leads interactive skills and employability workshops, and connects students to organisations and opportunities within the media sphere. To learn more, visit our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or follow us on socials @oxfordmediasocCredits:Host & Editor: Antonia RogersProducer: Archie PearmanDirector: Alice HazellComposer: Henry Nurse

In this episode, Archie Pearman speaks to David Rintoul. David is an actor with a wealth of appearances on the stage, screen and in audio. He has worked extensively with the Royal National Theatre and Royal Shakespeare Company, and his TV credits include Doctor Finlay, Pride and Prejudice (1980), and Game of Thrones. His film work includes the title role in Legend of the Werewolf (1975), Is Anybody There? (2008), and The Ghost Writer with Pierce Brosnan and Ewan McGregor.Archie and David discuss his path to becoming a professional actor, from his experiences in student productions at Edinburgh to his work with the RSC and on-screen. They also discuss the mechanics of acting, from narration technique (including a special performance of Winnie the Pooh) to the differences between stage and screen. With 50 years of experience as an actor, David provides an intimate and unrivalled insight into the world of drama, sharing the highs and lows of the industry.Oxford Media Society is the foremost forum within the University of Oxford for discussion about the media industry in the 21st century. The Society hosts interviews with world-class speakers, leads interactive skills and employability workshops, and connects students to organisations and opportunities within the media sphere. To learn more, visit our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or follow us on socials @oxfordmediasocCredits:Host: Archie PearmanDirector: Alice HazellProducers: Sofia Johanson & Antonia RogersComposer: Henry Nurse

In this episode of Spotlight, Sofia speaks to Ossian Shine, the Global Sports Editor for Reuters News. Having previously focussed on tennis and the Olympics during his two decades with the agency, he has covered Football and Rugby World Cups, various Olympic games, and Wimbledon amongst countless other international sporting events, including the most recent Super Bowl. Ossian shares how he entered the field of sports journalism and his insights into how the industry has changed during his career. From how technology has changed the purpose of sports journalism, to the rise of women's sports, Ossian offers a window into this ever-changing field. Oxford Media Society is the foremost forum within the University of Oxford for discussion about the media industry in the 21st century. The Society hosts interviews with world-class speakers, leads interactive skills and employability workshops, and connects students to organisations and opportunities within the media sphere. To learn more, visit our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or follow us on socials @oxfordmediasocCredits:Host & Editor: Sofia JohansonDirector & Producer: Alice HazellComposer: Henry Nurse

In this episode of Spotlight, Flora Symington speaks to BBC Radio 4 Commissioning Editor for Drama and Fiction, Alison Hindell. An alumna of Somerville, Alison started her career at the Royal Shakespeare Company before moving into radio. Having been head of Audio Drama at the BBC since 2005, she has directed more than 270 radio dramas, including the iconic Archers. Her recent commissions include Daphne du Maurier's Beside Myself, featuring Helena Bonham Carter and Bill Nighy, and the Limelights podcast series.Alison brings her extraordinary insight to Spotlight, sharing how she chooses the most compelling scripts and what makes a good radio drama. Alison and Flora also discuss the impact of the Archers' domestic abuse storyline, which Alison was the producer for, and the power of drama to make a genuine impact, whether that be changing perspectives or turning a novel into a bestseller.Oxford Media Society is the foremost forum within the University of Oxford for discussion about the media industry in the 21st century. The Society hosts interviews with world-class speakers, leads interactive skills and employability workshops, and connects students to organisations and opportunities within the media sphere. To learn more, visit our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or follow us on socials @oxfordmediasocCredits:Host & Editor: Flora SymingtonDirector: Alice HazellProducer: Archie PearmanComposer: Henry Nurse

In this episode, Flora Symington, Podcast Team Member, speaks to Gwilym Mumford. Gwilym is Culture editor of the Guardian Saturday magazine. He also writes The Guide, a weekly pop-culture newsletter, which dissects the week’s new releases in music, TV, film, books, and podcasts. As well as covering the latest in entertainment news, he gives weekly recommendations in each genre to cut through the wealth of content available to us every day. He also appears on The Guardian’s podcast, Today in Focus. In the show, Flora and Gwilym discuss his path into journalism and culture commentary. Gwilym shares his advice for budding journalists and they discuss where pop culture is heading. In an increasingly algorithmic world, how do culture commentators like Gwilym spot fresh talent; where should we be going to get thought-provoking TV & Film, and, most importantly, why did we lose our minds over Saltburn? Listen to find out the answers to these questions and many more... Oxford Media Society is the foremost forum within the University of Oxford for discussion about the media industry in the 21st century. The Society hosts interviews with world-class speakers, leads interactive skills and employability workshops, and connects students to organisations and opportunities within the media sphere. To learn more, visit our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or follow us on socials @oxfordmediasoc Credits: Host & Editor: Flora Symington Director & Producer: Alice Hazell Composer: Henry Nurse

In this episode, Alice Hazell (HT24 Podcast Director) speaks to Rhian Roberts. Rhian is the Commissioner for Podcasts, Formats & Digital for BBC Radio 4 and BBC Sounds. Before joining Radio 4, Rhian was a Senior News Editor at Radio 5Live. Her recent commissions include Uncanny, You're Dead To Me, Lady Killers, and Just One Thing, among many others. In the show, Rhian discusses her incredible career in the broadcasting industry, from starting as a radio editor to becoming a digital strategist, all leading to her current role. An industry insider, Rhian shares her views on the future of podcasting and she also reveals her insights into making a successful podcast. For any budding broadcasters, Rhian offers vital advice for breaking into this competitive industry and making incredible content. Oxford Media Society is the foremost forum within the University of Oxford for discussion about the media industry in the 21st century. The Society hosts interviews with world-class speakers, leads interactive skills and employability workshops, and connects students to organisations and opportunities within the media sphere. To learn more, visit our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or follow us on socials @oxfordmediasoc Credits: Director, Host & Editor: Alice Hazell Producer: Antonia Rogers Composer: Henry Nurse