Would you like a tape of Nottingham Gala?

[Jaana]

Would you like a tape of the international skating Gala Celebration on
July 31 in Nottingham, England?

A group of us from Kulik's Krew sure would, and so we're helping the
National Ice Centre in Nottingham get an idea of how many people might be interested in buying a videotape if they produced one for sale (they
asked for this information specifically). So far no television station in
Britain plans to televise this event, so a videotape may be our only chance to see our favorite skaters perform for the Queen.

While there are no guarantees that the Nottingham Ice Centre will produce a tape, it would be very helpful to them to know how many people are interested. You don't have to commit to anything, just write a note to the special mail box we've created for this purpose and tell them how many tapes you might want and the format in which you'd want them.

Please send an email to: galavideo0731@hotmail.com (mailto:galavideo0731@hotmail.com)

1) Tell the Ice Centre how many tapes you'd like.

2) Be specific about your tape format which is either:

NTSC (that's for everyone in the US, Canada, Japan, Mexico)
or
PAL (UK, Europe, some South American countries).

There aren't any other formats so you definitely use one of the
above depending on where you live.

If anything comes of this survey (and we sure hope so!!) we'll use the
return address on your email to get back to you with more information.
If nothing comes of this, at least we all tried. The mail box to which
you'll be sending your reply is strictly for this Market Test purpose and will
be directly accessed by the PR department of the NIC in Nottingham.

According to current information the cast will include: Elena
Berezhnaya/Anton Sikharulidze, Marina Anissina/Gwendal Peizerat,
Ilia Kulik, Kristi Yamaguchi, Robin Cousins, Kurt Browning,
Sasha Cohen, Steven Cousins, Marika Humphreys/Vitali Baranov, Matthew
Davies (GB men's champion), GB's Synchronized Skating Team and National Ice Centre Skating School (local skaters)/

Thanks everyone!!

Maria
Mayi
Nancy
Marjaana
and lots of other good folks at the Krew

[Jaana]

LOL, sorry the email address link did not work...

Marjaana

[Lee]

Have you let the Canadian television stations know about this? Especially CBC? They often broadcast stuff about the Royal Family [i:7708873fa5]and[/i:7708873fa5] skating, so I can't imagine they wouldn't be interested in a combination of the two!

[Jaana]

I have not contacted Canadian tv companies, but I think that some fans did it on some other forum?

Marjaana

[Meredith]

Can you provide a link, Lee, to the other Canadian television network, whose name escapes me at the moment. In the U.S. I don't have Canadian television access (darn), so don't know.

[AxelAnnie22]

[color=green:45e6e44eec]THANKS!! I sent a message. Sure hope this works!![/color:45e6e44eec]

[Toeloopy]

galavideo0731@hotmail.com

(That should work better.)

[Lee]

There's the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) -- try their 'Contact Us' page maybe? http://www.cbc.ca/aboutcbc/contact/

I think CBC would be the more likely of the Cdn networks to show such a program (royalty and skating).

The other network is CTV (Rod Black and company) -- contact information for them is at http://www.ctv.ca/generic/generated/static/Contactdefault.html

[Meredith]

Thanks, Lee.

I'm going to start bugging the PBS stations in my area too. They used to cover the Evening With Champions and seem to lean toward things British.

[amethyst]

I *really* want a copy of this! I sent an email. :)

[Willoughby]

Just to keep everyone updated - the Ice Centre in Nottinham has, at this point, no arrangments for this to be filmed or broadcast by anyone (US, Canadian, British). Given that, proceed to pressure anyone you'd like!

Nancy

[melanieuk]

I knew it wasn't going to be televised. 8)
Nothing to do with skating is ever televised here, except maybe once a decade.
I doubt too if they'll put together a video unless masses of you request it.

I'm going to the Gala but would still buy a video, if there was such a thing, as a keepsake.

Prepare yourselves though.
If it happens, it may not be the best quality/edited production you've ever seen, and I would imagine they'd charge a minimum of £25 plus shipping.

At British nationals, we are lucky if a video is made at all.
[b:fb4a6fa35e]Last year there was none.[/b:fb4a6fa35e] :!:
Hell might freeze over before they are televised.

The year before, a video of dubious standard was made, and sold....get this...at £10 *per event*.
[b:fb4a6fa35e]So if you wanted the whole event, ie ladies, men, pairs and dance, you had to pay £40.[/b:fb4a6fa35e]

[Jaana]

I got a reply from BBC a couple of days ago. An excerpt:

"I am unable to confirm if the BBC will be broadcasting the
Nottingham Ice Skating Gala at this time. Our future schedules
are only confirmed up to ten days in advance, which means it
is not possible to give details for programmes beyond this
period. I am sure you can appreciate that plans can change and
we would not wish to give you information that could prove
incorrect. The BBC 'What's On' website carries listings up to
seven days in advance. The address is:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/whatson/ "

I think it would be a good idea also to continue bombarding
BBC with questions about the Gala broadcast at

info@bbc.co.uk

Marjaana

[melanieuk]

I sent Email to BBC.
The BBC only televise sports with balls in them but nevermind - let's try and educate them!!

[i:bc8d44b29f]Dear Sir

Are you planning to televise this event?
Such an event is not likely to happen again in the UK.
Torvill & Dean, Robin Cousins and numerous other great international skaters, not to mention the Queen's presence should qualify for at least one camera.

I know many Canadians and Americans dying to see it televised also.
I've already told them (being a Brit who rarely sees figure skating on TV, except on Eurosport) that British TV is not interested in anything without a ball in it.

You say you do not know that far ahead? How can you manage such an organisation without knowing ahead of time which events to televise?

Regards

Melanie Eley
[/i:bc8d44b29f]

If they honour me with a reply, I'll let you know, but I'm sure they will "pan us off" with a load of drivvel like "we don't know" which means, "No, sorry - no skating here mate!"

Ever the cynic, Melanie. :roll:

[icenut84]

Lol Mel, great letter! I've already emailed them (not got a reply yet) but I was probably too polite! lol. Maybe I should send a few more. :)

[icenut84]

I just sent another one! :mrgreen: A bit more to the point this time.

[i:3b7a6c7661]Dear Sir/Madam
I emailed a while ago about the possibility of the BBC broadcasting the Nottingham Ice Show Gala that is taking place on the 31st July. I understand that there is a lot happening at this time, like always, but I really think that this show deserves to be televised, if not released on video. With names like Torvill & Dean and Robin Cousins connected, the audience (with proper publicity and advance promotion through advertising) will surely tune in, as everybody in Britain knows who Torvill & Dean are and remembers their performances. Remember that the edition of Omnibus, on Torvill & Dean's choreography, recieved the highest ever audience figure for the series didn't it?
This is an event that will likely never happen in the UK again. It stars some of the biggest names in figure skating, including some of the newly crowned Olympic champions. Not to mention that the Queen will be in attendance. Surely it deserves at least one camera to follow it! I know that releasing a video would be very profitable, as not only would it sell many, many copies in the UK, but every skating fan in the US, Canada, and other areas around the world are very eager to get their hands on a video of it, such is the enormity of the names who are in the show.
And with the serious lack of coverage that figure skating gets on British television (we didn't even get to see the World Championships this year), especially compared to other sports (last year, the World Championships coverage for figure skating equalled about 3 hours total. The World Championships for snooker recieved over 100 hours of coverage in prime time), I think the many skating fans in Great Britain deserve the opportunity to experience this great, one-of-a-time event. There's more to sport than kicking/hitting a ball around. After all, one of the 8 principles of PSB is: "programmes broadcast across a weekly schedule should cater for all interests and tastes".

Yours Faithfully

[my name] [/i:3b7a6c7661]

:mrgreen:

[jasmine]

I did a little bit of research. 8)

:!: :idea: I rang the BBC and was advised to telephone their Nottingham local office on 01159 550500 (from the US this is 44-1159 550500) and asking to speak to the Forward Planning Desk.

Perhaps other people could also do the same. This will probably be the most appropriate point of contact. We should be able to pursuade them that this is a one-off top international gala with world stars in the presence of HM The Queen!! I also wrote a letter to the Nottingham Ice Centre Press office suggesting the same. :P

(Even if the BBC eventually agree, I think we will still need a video to be made available to the public who have not been able to record the show.)

PS. Does anybody in this forum have contacts at Eurosport/skating, and could put a word in there?

[loveskating]

Hello: I just sent an e-mail, here is what it said:

Hello,

I'm writing from Brooklyn, New York to tell you that if you video tape the figure skating gala for the Queen, I will certainly buy at least one video. Someone from Kulik's Krew asked us to e-mail you if we would be interested. Of course, in the USA, its NTSC format.

I'm very excited about this, actually. I think you could provide us skating fans a little masterpiece, because your taping would not include all the commentary we have (often, lately, to SUFFER) on television. I suspect there would be many very unique perspectives. My daughter skated competitively, and I have tapes of her which are wonderful, of good quality so I am sure you can do that.

I'm betting that Ilia Kulik and Sasha Cohen, and maybe even Chris Dean, would do a little interview for you if they were legally able to do so?

I feel sure that if I e-mail everyone at work, at least 10 people will buy the video just because it is different!!!

I am certain that with time, you would make a lot of money. If you think about it deeply, this is a great opportunity for you.

Sincerely,

Pauline Moore

[Willoughby]

Thank you Pauline for that email to the Gala list. Please do email your friends and have them write in to the list (galavideo0731@hotmail.com). The powers that be at the National Ice Centre in Nottingham have direct access to the list and every person who is willing to "vote" with their dollars, and say so, is powerful.

Nancy

[TashaKat]

Deleted by author 8/7/02 following the response below

[Willoughby]

Lynn - Clearly I didn't suggest bombarding the NIC. They are looking to our project in gathering information regarding a possible tape for numbers in an organized fashion. I was hoping that since you said you knew people at your rink who would interest that you'd help us along. I'm confused by the word "bombarding" - if people would simply send their intentions to the galavideo0731@hotmail.com address, the intereted parties in Nottingham will see both the results and if you have comments, your individual email. We don't edit the emails, we have given them direct access to the mail box so they can see fan reaction without any interference from the organizers of the project. Thanks.

Nancy

[Willoughby]

The point I was trying to make is that mulitple emails from one person aren't necessarily helpful. This is about how many tapes can be sold and who, specifically, is going to buy them. That's the only way we can have any hope of convincing anyone of anything - to show them that there's a market for the tape and people who are willing to spend the money for it.

To the extent that you, Lynne, or anyone reading this note can get more people who desire a tape to write to the the galavideo list, the better our business case. This market test project isn't about lots of email (although we'd like that!) but the right emails. The people in Nottingham have been gracious to us and very willing to hear this because it will, hopefully, have real content for them. Right now the numbers are good and getting better.

If you can pitch in and help, please do.

Nancy

[TashaKat]

[quote:cdf525b981="Willoughby"]Lynn - Clearly I didn't suggest bombarding the NIC. They are looking to our project in gathering information regarding a possible tape for numbers in an organized fashion. I was hoping that since you said you knew people at your rink who would interest that you'd help us along. I'm confused by the word "bombarding" - if people would simply send their intentions to the galavideo0731@hotmail.com address, the intereted parties in Nottingham will see both the results and if you have comments, your individual email. We don't edit the emails, we have given them direct access to the mail box so they can see fan reaction without any interference from the organizers of the project. Thanks.

Nancy[/quote:cdf525b981]

I do apologise that you obviously find my wording offensive. I in no way meant that everyone should write 10 e-mails each, my intention was that everyone who wants a tape should make sure that they make contact. I can assure you that unless there is a HUGE interest in a video being made it won't be. The UK media doesn't have a very positive attitude towards skating even if the Queen IS going to be present, they can't even give air time to our Nationals.

In future I will keep well out of it. I'm sorry to have upset you.

[Willoughby]

You didn't upset me. I just wanted to be clear - my interpretation of "bombarding" would mean for me to send a multitude of emails (maybe that's Amercian as opposed to English). I was confused as I said so I clarified the situation and also said that pitching in was very much appreciated. It still is.
I don't know what they're going to do (and I understand from the email that we've received just how frustrated English fans are with the general skating media situation there) but I'm trying to manage it so the NIC really hears this , and I think they're listening because we're providing concrete numbers. As I said that guarantees nothing but it's a try.

Nancy

[Jaana]

LOL, I´m afraid that I was the person who used the word "bombard" of emailing. My meaning was though not to suggest that the galavideo0731@hotmail.com should be bombarded in the way that same persons send several emails to that email address.

I meant that BBC should not be forgotten and it should be bombarded, LOL. I really believe that if they get lots and lots emails about the broadcast of this skating gala, they WILL take notice.

A few years ago somebody arranged an email campaign, where the purpose was that on a particular day lots of skating fans send an email to Eurosport about figure skating. It helped, and we got at least something from the GP competitions back.

Of course it is possible that we don´t see that Nottingham Gala broadcast, but at least we have TRIED. One thing is very clear, if we do nothing in this matter, we can be sure of getting nothing.

Marjaana

[melanieuk]

Here's my email reply from BBC:

[i:d4608baa92]Dear Melanie

Thank you for your e-mail. I apologise for the delay in our reply. We know our correspondents appreciate a quick response, and it is a matter of regret to us that you have had to wait for so long on this occasion.

I am unable to confirm if the BBC will be broadcasting the Nottingham Ice Skating Gala at this time. Our future schedules are only confirmed up to ten days in advance, which means it is not possible to give details for programmes beyond this period. I am sure you can appreciate that plans can change and we would not wish to give you information that could prove incorrect. The BBC 'What's On' website carries listings up to seven days in advance. The address is:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/whatson/

May I suggest that you check the above site for further details closer to the Gala date.

Once again thank you for taking the time to contact the BBC.

Regards......

[/i:d4608baa92]

[TashaKat]

Hi :)

Any news on a video yet?

It's only a week and a half away and I've not heard anything :(

I'm very lucky (along with some other people here) to be going but it would be nice to have a 'keepsake'.

L x

[melanieuk]

I've not heard anything at this end either.
Still don't know what to wear!!
Jeans? :roll:

[Willoughby]

The Galavideo List organizers haven't heard anything either. I have written to the folks we've been in touch with at NIC but nothing...obviously, they are VERY busy. I will call on Monday to see what's up and I'll report back - we're all anxious to know (and I want you to have time to browse through your closet!).

Nancy

[Willoughby]

This just went out to everyone who wrote into the Galavideo List...

Dear Fellow Skating Fan,

I'll get right to the point. There will be no Gala Video. I received this from the Director of PR at the National Ice Centre today:

" Bad news about the video I'm afraid. Quotes came in too high to actually film it. Really sorry about this because it would have made fantastic viewing!"

Yes, it would have been wonderful. I'm sure we're all sad to think that such a special evening of skating will be lost when it's over. Ah well, we will have to rely on our friends to report back to us.

That's the bad news but there is good news. We are very proud to have been involved with all of you - all 260 of you - on this project. How generous and enthusiastic people have been, all pulling in one direction. We have heard from fans from Poland, Hungary, Denmark, Australia, Canada, US, Japan, Finland, Netherlands,Spain, Portugal, Turkey, Brazil, Germany, Estonia and of course, so many loyal fans in England and Scotland.

The effort was an experience in itself and one worth doing.
We thank each one of you and, to you lucky parents whose children are skating in the show (yes, we heard from you too), we hope that you and your young skating stars have a spectacular evening!

Thank you everyone - it's been a pleasure.

Nancy, Marjaana, Joyce, Maria, Mayi

[Lee]

[i]Removing the sticky since the video project is unfortunately dead. ~Lee[i]