Hello/good-bye

Returning to Playback for my first issue as editor, I sought a lead-in quote that would illustrate just how good it is to be back covering the industry from the finest of all cat-bird seats, the trade paper.

However. Spending the last week immersed in the complexities of the ctcpf, production, broadcasting, sorting the implications of CanWest Global buying Fireworks Entertainment, of Shaw Communications buying wic, of the sad Alberta situation, of programming, the fall schedules, specialties, distribution, etc., etc. etc., the only quote that feels right looking forward is ‘It’s 106 miles to Chicago, we’ve got a full tank of gas, half a pack of cigarettes, it’s dark and we’re wearing sunglasses.’

Blues Brothers, in case you were wondering.

Although the questions keep coming – ‘Nothing like a project with the cab to drive you back to journalism, huh?’ – the truth is they were good to me and I learned a lot these four months away from Playback. Mostly, that watching this business from one side of the fence is unsatisfying. I’m glad to be back where observing everything is mandatory.

Rather than speak to an industry issue, I’m going to take this opportunity to pay tribute to outgoing editor Mary Maddever. The quotes as per Maddever aren’t difficult.

‘It is the supreme art of the teacher to awaken joy in creative expression and knowledge.’ Albert Einstein

‘Would you please shut up and sit down!’ George Bush

Somewhere in between them – maybe an amalgamation of the two – are her gifts to me and to the rest of the editorial staff.

She’s managed, over the course of the last three years, to push when required and rein in when required. As a reporter, it’s a (rarely obtainable) best-case scenario.

I lived in fear of her purple pen for the first six months on the job and still remember the first time she praised a story I wrote (long past the six months). When the broadcasting bug took over, she let me make my own way but wouldn’t allow the use of words like ‘weasel’ to describe sectors of the industry unless I had good reason.

In the time since, we’ve grown to the point where we embarrass ourselves by finishing each other’s sentences. Arguably more important, she’s a boss you can fight with and still come away with respect and friendship intact. Her standards and her approach make for big, big shoes to fill.

She will remain executive editor of Playback, which means I’ll continue tapping her considerable grey matter on a regular basis, stealing her sweaters and eating every scrap of candy she stocks in her office.

The last word goes to her…

Over the last decade my involvement in Playback has allowed me the privilege of peering over the shoulders of a lot of dead brilliant tv, commercial and film creative types.

A certain predilection for animation evolved, as well as a parallel penchant for all things pertaining to kids’ programming, so the migration from Playback to editor of its sister publication KidScreen, which specializes in these topics, is a natural.

With the ever-vigilant Allison Vale at the helm, I know Playback readers are in for an interesting read (Who else brings a soccer-fan level of enthusiasm to covering crtc hearings?)

To all the folks who have been so generous with tips, advice and insight, thanks. And since I’ll remain plugged in as executive editor of Playback and its doc sister RealScreen, please continue to share, I’m still looking to see reels and channel the latest noise… keep me posted.