Frustrations for Beijing guinea pigs
Well, the countdown has begun. It's just under four weeks to the start of the Olympics and the advance party of the Â鶹¹ÙÍøÊ×Ò³Èë¿Ú's production team (that's Rebekah Kipps, Olympic Project Executive and myself, Executive Producer) has arrived in .
To be fair, there have been a number of sub-contracted technicians here for a month already fitting out the Â鶹¹ÙÍøÊ×Ò³Èë¿Ú's area in the (IBC).
We have had to travel to Beijing 11 days earlier than intended, thanks to an unscheduled World Broadcaster briefing which has been called because of serious issues with the local organisation.
While some issues were addressed at the meeting, there remain some outstanding problems, such as the restrictions on live broadcasts from , delays in customs of shipments of equipment and difficulties in obtaining visas and accreditations.
However, having spent nearly a week in Beijing, we're finding that the biggest frustrations concern security and access. Despite having the "correct" passes, we and our colleagues are continually being prevented from accessing certain areas of the . This can be particularly infuriating - especially when there is no apparent reason and when some people with a certain pass are let through and others with the same pass aren't!
Communication is obviously difficult at the best of times, with very few speaking English (at an Olympic Games, English is the language of broadcasting, and normally would be widely spoken and understood). But it is also apparent that there are communication issues within the local organisation. Until this improves, we will continue to be the guinea pigs who test out the system before the rest of the team start arriving in force.
On to the good news. Our studio in the amazing 130m-high is nearly ready for habitation.
The view from the studio should be stunning - especially if the air is clear. Unfortunately the first few days were all very gloomy.
But yesterday we were at least treated to a rare sunny day. What a difference it would make if this was the norm during the Olympics.
We've also just completed some 3D animations of the Olympic Green and other Beijing venues. These will give dramatic views of the geography and layout of the Olympics, and will look spectacular in .
But for now, it's back to the job of passes and access - we have a member of our team who has just arrived and, if he can't be issued with the right pass, he won't even be allowed into his hotel. Happy days...
Comment number 1.
At 17th Jul 2008, WebbyFoxes wrote:Looks nice when the Smog is not over Beijing.
Also that is one funny looking IBC, how high is the Â鶹¹ÙÍøÊ×Ò³Èë¿Ú's Studio?
I dont suppose that the London 2012 will be looking at a fantastic landmark IBC like in Beijing.
Our IBC is going to be a boring brick building :(
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Comment number 2.
At 17th Jul 2008, poshfangary wrote:WOW, the view from the piccy's on Flickr look fab, great location picked guys and the building looks fab too so well done to whoever built it.
I bet the presenters and guests will love it..
BTW Looking forward to the probable first class and unchallenged coverage throughout the games.
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Comment number 3.
At 18th Jul 2008, Jordan D wrote:Are we going to get some advance photos of the new Â鶹¹ÙÍøÊ×Ò³Èë¿Ú studio?
I can appreciate the difficulties of getting accreditation - Athens was a nightmare when I worked out there: took the Greeks a good few days of chasing to 'find' me.
Best of luck.
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Comment number 4.
At 18th Jul 2008, BeijingLondon wrote:Hello Jonathan
Did you say you were concerned over access issues?
That's hardly suprising since the Â鶹¹ÙÍøÊ×Ò³Èë¿Ú does not deserve the privilege of preferential treatment in China. Â鶹¹ÙÍøÊ×Ò³Èë¿Ú is heading the China hate media trumpeting and is rightly despised by many Chinese both inside and outside China.
But at least the Â鶹¹ÙÍøÊ×Ò³Èë¿Ú was still permitted into China, a good opprtunity for it to remodify and show a better side of it. Or, who knows, the Â鶹¹ÙÍøÊ×Ò³Èë¿Ú may be completely kicked out of China for good.
Regards
Tony
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Comment number 5.
At 25th Jul 2008, ChrisPHEW wrote:This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the house rules. Explain.
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Comment number 6.
At 25th Jul 2008, ChrisPHEW wrote:Hi Jonny
I'm sure The Olympic Games welcome the excellent coverage that the Â鶹¹ÙÍøÊ×Ò³Èë¿Ú provide and hopefully it will turn out to be a great Olympics, and put China on the map for a very different reason.
I wish you all the best and I'm sure all your hard work will pay off and you never know, there might be another Bafta coming your way.
Chris
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Comment number 7.
At 31st Jul 2008, bravesophia001 wrote:This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the house rules. Explain.
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