Grab the Cheese and Run
Well, our BBC TOGETHER idea didn't get taken forward. No one else seems to have posted their results yet so I won't spoil their fun by posting the outcomes, but Jacob and I are very pleased for the project(s) that did go through - even though they weren't ours you can't help but get close to the people and the idea(s) over the course of the week.
We were obviously disappointed we didn't get the nod - we had worked very hard during the week and with the help of the mentors the idea had completely changed and become more lean, focused and *useful*. It seems that the project just wasn't right for the BBC at this time. We're still pleased with the idea that came out, so we hope to take it forward in other ways.
It's back to the real world now, a world where food is cooked with spices and herbs, a small piece of random fruit doesn't accompany every course and you don't flambé each meal in an arbitrary spirit (Real example: Shellfish flambéed in Sambuca served with Cape Gooseberries).
My advice for the London teams, while there is still time:
**Focus - Even if you think your idea is as focused and specific as possible, focus more! There is always more fat to trim.
**Be Useful Now - You may have a fantastic idea for a project that will take advantage of the huge BBC archive being digitised, but if it can't be live and useful within months, it is too early to pitch it. The BBC seems to know all its problems and wants solutions that help fix them as soon as possible, no waiting.
**Know Your Next Steps - Will it take one or two months to get a prototype? Who in the BBC do you need to talk to? How much will it cost? These are direct questions you will need to answer in your pitch. Be prepared and have figures for costs in time and money.
**Mix With Others - Get to know the other guys on the lab, you don't get to mix with your "competitors" often in the real world, so take this opportunity. You may find there are people who's skills could complement yours on other projects. Take a truck load of business cards!
**Know the Format - The final pitch is performed in X-Factor style. The commissioners watch all the projects then only get half an hour to decide between them and make decisions. This seems a ridiculous way to do things, but it's the way it's done. Be ready for it, listen carefully to their early comments and adjust the angle of the pitch directly to them - not to you, the mentors or anyone else.
**Get Out - Get fresh air, take your laptops outside to do work, go see the local town one evening, just get away where you can.
**Don't Make Plans - It's now the Saturday after our pitch, and I am completely mentally and physically exhausted - working intense 18 hour days takes it's toll!
**Don't insult the commissioners on the blog - I have the nagging feeling that calling Jem Stone a "Gigantic Tentacled Ghost" might not have been the smartest move!!
Apologies for what was a long post, and probably a bit too much advice (it would be interesting to see if the others agreed with me on those points). I hope everyone has fun, despite the long hours and hard work it was good fun and a great learning experience.
- Ben Kirman
