WOEBOT

The last in the current series of WOEBOT.tv is now up. "Last in the current series" is code for "never say never"- it's been a lot of fun to do, but unbelievably hard work. Around episode two I thought, oo-er, I've really bit off more than I can chew with this. I decided at that moment that twelve episodes would stretch me to breaking point. Six seemed like a very respectable compromise, and I set about trying to define what the footprint of a commissioned series would be with just six shows: A smidgen of theory, some retro-fetischism, an interview with a hot artist, a bit of musical tourism, a seasonal survey and a tour of someone's record collection.

As far as getting the show commissioned, I haven't really girded my loins and tackled that yet, however (and I can't believe there's much harm in telling, and I do so more out of trying to keep face, out of self-justification rather than pride) I have had the same people behind Dub-plate Drama rep the series to one of the chiefs of Music at Channel 4. I'm not sure what's happening with it right now, but in many ways I feel that even getting that far is pretty good, it feels like that was my best shot. In these instances one's not supposed to be subdued, the idea is to glow with self-promotional confidence, but I can't believe I'll have any luck.

I did have some disappointments in the course of the show. It was pretty sad not to be able to get more than a phone interview with Juana Molina; I mean! Also, I had an entire show, a feature on the club Love Saves The Day get flushed down the loo. I had some footage I shot at the night, the opportunity to use some really nice photos, co-opertion with the team behind the night, but I really needed an interview with David Mancuso to seal the deal. Without it there just wasn't a film there. Mancuso actually agreed, but at the last minute, I think either on the day, or the night before, decided he didn't want to do it. Part of it is the fact that people (and perhaps especially musicians) are extremely reluctant to get in front of a camera, the other was that I just didn't have any clout. At this juncture I'd like to extend my most heartfelt gratitude to Keith for agreeing to do the last show. He really didn't need to bother.

Finally, I'm a bit short of cash (winks), and this is duplicating what I put in the email mailout, but if you've enjoyed the series perhaps you'd like to buy a T-Shirt? I'm chucking in a FREE DVD with all the shows on it at high-resloution.