my community channel

Sign language presented programming has a new digital home this April, with the launch of the new magazine show Wicked on The BSL Zone on Community Channel.  The BSL Zone, launched by The Board of the British Sign Language Broadcasting Trust (BSLBT) brings new sign language content to Deaf audiences.  

Wicked will report on news, issues and events from the Deaf community around the UK and is the first sign language television series entirely produced from script to screen by an all Deaf/BSL user production team and media company, Remark!

Wicked is presented by up and coming Deaf presenters Lilli Risner, 21 (Britain’s Missing Top Model, BBC3) and Nathan Rollinson, 18 (Make, Shake and Jake, Cartoonito). The pair will travel the length of the country in the Wicked Campervan, meeting people from the Deaf community and reporting on everything from performing arts to sports, issues and community events.  There will also be a Wicked Seeds strand - where Deaf film-makers are given the chance to produce their own two minute short film.  Wicked is produced for Remark! by Mark Nelson and Ramon Woolfe and executive produced for BSLBT by Terry Riley.

The BSL Zone will also feature a wide range of sign language programming.  Terry Riley, Chief Executive of BSLBT comments:

“For the first time we have a sign language programme, dedicated solely to that very important core group: BSL users. Sign language is more than just a language; it’s about an acceptance of a culture and an identity.  This is best illustrated by the new series Wicked which is much more than just a brand; it’s an ideal.   At the heart of the BSLBT ethos is a commitment to not only have the best television programmes, but to develop and nurture the Deaf talent that is out there, both on screen and behind the camera. With this new and exciting venture we have proved that the hearing and Deaf can work together for the betterment of the Deaf community.”

Presenter Nathan Rollinson comments:
‘We have loved every minute traveling up and down the UK in the Wicked Campervan, meeting so many interesting characters such as a Deaf Clown and a Deaf extreme rock climber. It is great working with a Deaf crew and production team, we can’t wait for the programmes to be enjoyed by the Deaf community”.

You can find The BSL Zone and Wicked on Community Channel from Wednesday 1st April 2009, 20:00.    For more information on BSLBT go to www.bslbt.co.uk
Ends

Notes to Editors:

Community Channel
Community Channel is dedicated to engaging people with the charitable and voluntary sector, showcasing stories and issues that inspire action and encourage involvement.  Broadcasting original shows, the best of terrestrial TV and showcasing the work of new directors and community programme makers, Community Channel is the place for real-life stories from communities around the world.   The channel is broadcast 24 hours a day on Sky 539, Virgin TV 233 and from 6am to 9am on Freeview 87.  Community Channel is a Media Trust initiative.

About BSLBT
For more information see www.BSLBT.co.uk

About REMARK!
Remark! is an independent, successful, vibrant production company established ten years ago by two Deaf entrepreneurs dealing with all aspects of television/video production, translation, multimedia and the Internet.
 
Remark! have worked on Channel Four’s The Vibe, Vee TV, ITV’s Charlton Cinema ‘Get The Picture’ and BBC See Hear on a regular basis. Remark! actively support the Deaf community, nurtures  talent and sponsors deaf individuals and clubs.  In the past decade Remark! has employed over 120 Deaf people both in front and behind the camera, with a core staff of fourteen full time staff and many freelancers.