Involved in the creation of some of the best-loved childrenβs programmes β Lazytown, The Bedtime Hour and Sarah and Duck to name but a few β when Diana from Southbourne started at the BBC, she was hoping for a career in news and current affairs.
But then a brief spell in the childrenβs department led to a light bulb moment.
βIt wasnβt part of the plan, but I loved itβ said Diana, who now has many successes to her credit and several projects in development.
So, what are the key ingredients for a great childrenβs show?
βChildren love to see the funny side of things so definitely comedy and humour, with slapstick being a particular favourite.
βItβs also important that you donβt patronise; talk TO children, not AT them.
βA strong narrative, a good story and characters that they can really relate to are also key.β
Talking of identifiable characters, Diana sites one particular programme that was widely criticised on its debut.
βThe initial reaction to The Teletubbies from the industry and parents was one of horror. There was outrage because the characters didnβt speak properly, but children understood it perfectly and knew exactly who they were; these characters talked like they did. It turned childrenβs television on its head.β
There has been much debate about children watching television. Does Diana have any thoughts on the subject?
βTelevision is one of the best mediums for educating children and the quality and range of programmes today is amazing. Itβs about interacting, ideas, creativity β most programmes are underpinned by educational values, even if itβs not obvious. And those that are entertainment still have moral frameworks. For example, Ben 10 is a classic tale of good vs evil.
βClearly children shouldnβt watch television all day, but itβs up to parents to regulate how much their children watch.
βTelevision inspires and fires the imagination because children are so receptive to ideas.
βA dish runs away with a spoon? Of course it does! Take In the Night Garden. Itβs beautiful and surreal and children adore it.β
Finding it interesting to note how childrenβs tastes have changed, becoming more sophisticated over the years, Diana admits that things she loved as a child arenβt always as popular with her son. βChildren today are used to a much faster pace.
βThey donβt always respond to the tweeness of stories and programmes enjoyed by previous generations.β
Asked to pick her favourite projects, Diana chooses CBeebies shows Sarah and Duck, on which she is currently working and describes as βfabulously bonkersβ, and also Lazytown.
βLazytown characters were brilliant to write for, especially Robbie Rotten who is the perfect pantomime villain. It was my idea to adapt it as a CBeebies radio show. I ended up writing and directing 42 episodes,β she laughs.
And while she has a degree in sports therapy and is a qualified aerobics and gym instructor, Diana canβt see herself switching careers.
βI absolutely love television. I count myself lucky to be paid for doing something I love. What more could I want?β
But then a brief spell in the childrenβs department led to a light bulb moment.
βIt wasnβt part of the plan, but I loved itβ said Diana, who now has many successes to her credit and several projects in development.
So, what are the key ingredients for a great childrenβs show?
βChildren love to see the funny side of things so definitely comedy and humour, with slapstick being a particular favourite.
βItβs also important that you donβt patronise; talk TO children, not AT them.
βA strong narrative, a good story and characters that they can really relate to are also key.β
Talking of identifiable characters, Diana sites one particular programme that was widely criticised on its debut.
βThe initial reaction to The Teletubbies from the industry and parents was one of horror. There was outrage because the characters didnβt speak properly, but children understood it perfectly and knew exactly who they were; these characters talked like they did. It turned childrenβs television on its head.β
There has been much debate about children watching television. Does Diana have any thoughts on the subject?
βTelevision is one of the best mediums for educating children and the quality and range of programmes today is amazing. Itβs about interacting, ideas, creativity β most programmes are underpinned by educational values, even if itβs not obvious. And those that are entertainment still have moral frameworks. For example, Ben 10 is a classic tale of good vs evil.
βClearly children shouldnβt watch television all day, but itβs up to parents to regulate how much their children watch.
βTelevision inspires and fires the imagination because children are so receptive to ideas.
βA dish runs away with a spoon? Of course it does! Take In the Night Garden. Itβs beautiful and surreal and children adore it.β
Finding it interesting to note how childrenβs tastes have changed, becoming more sophisticated over the years, Diana admits that things she loved as a child arenβt always as popular with her son. βChildren today are used to a much faster pace.
βThey donβt always respond to the tweeness of stories and programmes enjoyed by previous generations.β
Asked to pick her favourite projects, Diana chooses CBeebies shows Sarah and Duck, on which she is currently working and describes as βfabulously bonkersβ, and also Lazytown.
βLazytown characters were brilliant to write for, especially Robbie Rotten who is the perfect pantomime villain. It was my idea to adapt it as a CBeebies radio show. I ended up writing and directing 42 episodes,β she laughs.
And while she has a degree in sports therapy and is a qualified aerobics and gym instructor, Diana canβt see herself switching careers.
βI absolutely love television. I count myself lucky to be paid for doing something I love. What more could I want?β
10.lazytown.eu
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