I’ve produced a number of short series and one-off special programmes for BBC Radio 2 since 2016.
My Soundtrack Stories
This series sees Radio 2’s resident movie critic James King sit down acclaimed filmmakers, as they take him through the music they’ve used in the films to date.
As well as developing the show with James, I’ve produced the majority of the programmes in the series – with guests featured so far; Quentin Tarantino, Baz Luhrmann, Sam Mendes, Christopher Nolan, Greta Gerwig and Wes Anderson.
James Bond: My Soundtrack Stories
In September 2021 I produced the two-part documentary James Bond: Soundtrack Stories for BBC Radio 2 celebrating the music of the James Bond films. Hosted by film critic James King, it was broadcast alongside the release of the new Bond film, No Time To Die.
Part One: The Classic Years was dedicated to the first four decades of the franchise, from the 60s to the 90s. Part Two: The Craig Years marked the end of the Daniel Craig era, looking at the music from the five films he has starred in.
A personal highlight from the show was Oscar-winning producer and songwriter Paul Epworth discussing the spooky circumstances behind how he composed Skyfall. We were also lucky enough to interview the likes of Rami Malek, Billie Eilish, Finneas, Lashana Lynch Duran Duran’s Nick Rhodes, producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson, composers Don Black and David Arnold, Lulu, Sheryl Crow and lastly we heard from the man himself, Daniel Craig, on how he felt about the music of Bond, remembering some of the highlights of being a part of the films and reflecting on his tenure coming to an end.
The production of this programme began in October 2019, when James and I were lucky enough to visit the No Time To Die set at Pinewood studios. Over the next six months all the interviews for the programme were recorded, ready to be broadcast in April 2020. However, the film and programme were both postponed in March 2020, and it would eventually take two years since we started for the programme to finally be broadcast in September 2021.
Hear extracts of the programmes here; Skyfall co-writer Paul Epworth / Daniel Craig’s memories of the music in his era of Bond / Duran Duran’s Nick Rhodes on making A View To A Kill
The Twelve Films Of Christmas & Your Ultimate Rom-Com
These were two vote-based film specials, also presented by James King.
For The Twelve Films Of Christmas (2020) the Radio 2 audience were asked to vote for their favourite from a shortlist of twenty-five films chosen by James. The programme featured music from the top twelve films as well as comments from listeners and famous fans about what made their favourites so special. There was also the thoughts of people involved in the films, including an interview with Richard Curtis. The full top twelve was published on the Radio 2 website and the winner was It’s A Wonderful Life. To celebrate
James spoke to Kelly Harcourt, daughter of the much-missed star of the film Jimmy Stewart, as actress Karolyn Grimes who, aged just six, played George Bailey’s daughter Zuzu in the film and famously delivers the final line “every time a bell rings an angel get his wings”. Listen to Karolyn’s interview here.
Your Ultimate Rom-Com (2022) followed the same format – this time focusing on the best romantic comedies. Richard Curtis featured throughout and the winner was his modern classic; Notting Hill.
Matt Tasker 