Find out what's going on behind the scenes in Ambridge
Supporting acts - Michael Harrison
9 February 2006
An occasional series in which we turn the spotlight on the people behind the scenes of The Archers. We start with our programme manager, Michael Harrison.
Archers programme manager Michael Harrison
What part do you play in village life?
My main role is to balance the sound when we're in studio recording episodes of the Archers. So I co-ordinate the technical team which consists of the spot SM (Studio Manager) and the gram SM. "Spot" is responsible for doing anything from rattling tea cups to opening and closing doors. "Grams" plays in the recorded effects, such as pub backgrounds and herds of cows (bringing the latter into studio tends to get a little messy!) I make sure that everything sounds at a realistic level and appears in the right place in the right order.
I'm also responsible for positioning and cueing the actors and - most importantly of all - for recording the programme. If I forgot to hit "record" then listeners would be without their daily visit to Ambridge!
How did you end up in Ambridge?
I worked as a sound engineer for BBC Radio and Television for 12 years at both Pebble Mill in Birmingham and Broadcasting House in London. During this time I've done both grams and spot for the Archers. I've also filled in for the previous programme manager on the Archers - including location recordings at places like The Royal Show, the Paris agricultural show and Glastonbury festival. I became a full-time member of Ambridge in October 2005.
What do you like best about your job?
"I am the only man in the village!"… I'm in the very lucky position that the rest of the Archers production team are women (with the exception of our web producer, who works from home). So I'm constantly being mothered and fed cake!
But seriously, another part of my role here is to work on all of the Radio Dramas that are produced in Birmingham, which I find endlessly fascinating and challenging.
Who is/are your favourite character(s)?
Lynda and Eddie - they should have more scenes together as they really make me laugh! Also they don't have the marital troubles which seem to befall all other couples in the programme.
What character would you most like to play?
Nelson Gabriel - because he's such a loveable rogue. It's time we had another person like him in Ambridge.
What's been your favourite storyline in The Archers?
The Grange Farm fire, because I got to a make a fantastic sound picture.
What's been you most memorable moment?
Being told I'd got the job!
What would you most like to see in Ambridge?
I would love to do more storylines set in exotic places (that simply have to be recorded on location) Perhaps someone could take a nice skiing holiday…
If you weren't a programme manager what would you be doing?
I work across Radio Drama and the Archers so I get to do a job I love. If I had to leave I would like to try my hand at acting (hmm - he's always been a bit of a drama queen - Ed!)
And finally - what are you most proud of?
In work - being part of a very tight-knit production team that works hard, remaining focused even under duress and still creates 12 and a half minutes of quality drama six days a week. Out of work I'm most proud of my wife, my daughter and my dogs (oh and my gas-fuelled Aga…)
An occasional series in which we turn the spotlight on the people behind the scenes of The Archers. We start with our programme manager, Michael Harrison.
