{"id":676,"date":"2014-10-28T15:47:20","date_gmt":"2014-10-28T15:47:20","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.s1jobs.com\/blog\/?p=676"},"modified":"2014-10-28T16:43:13","modified_gmt":"2014-10-28T16:43:13","slug":"working-in-tv-interview-noddy-davidson","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.s1jobs.com\/blog\/working-in-tv-interview-noddy-davidson\/","title":{"rendered":"Working in TV: Interview with Noddy Davidson"},"content":{"rendered":"

Noddy Davidson (his passport says Iain, in case you\u2019re concerned) is a producer and director, working at The Comedy Unit<\/a> on some of Scotland\u2019s best-loved TV shows. We grabbed a word with him in between some hectic filming schedules to find out more about his route into working behind the scenes…<\/p>\n

Did you always intend to work in the media or did you have any jobs outside of it first?<\/strong><\/p>\n

I never considered it for a second. I dreamt of being a microbiologist or being involved in discovering a cure for Asthma. But then the social side of University took over and I dropped out hard. I then worked as a labourer, a night watchman, a DJ, a roadie, a gig promoter, behind the bar in a club and eventually a dead body at Alien War<\/a>, a kind of interactive haunted house.<\/p>\n

\"Noddy
Noddy during the filming of Burnistoun, with Robert Florence (centre), Iain Connell (r) and Gerry McLaughlin (l)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Can you tell us more about your path into the media?<\/strong><\/p>\n

While working in Glasgow at Alien War, I was asked if I would stage-manage a theatre show. Other than some childhood trips to the panto I\u2019d never seen a theatre show. So I said yes, not knowing what I was saying yes to. I didn\u2019t mess up and more theatre shows followed. I met lots of actors, and importantly, writers who were doing comedy and I thought \u201cthat seems fun\u201d. So I started writing and sending sketches to various producers<\/a>. I was lucky enough to get a few things on a new show called Chewin\u2019 The Fat<\/em> and ended up being employed full time by The Comedy Unit. They taught me to script edit, then produce and eventually direct.<\/p>\n

Were there any particular programmes or directors that helped to inspire you towards your current career?<\/strong><\/p>\n

I never had specific inspiration as such. I always loved comedy as a genre, from watching Laurel and Hardy<\/em> with my Dad during the Christmas Holidays to conversing with my friends using only lines from Father Ted<\/em> or Mr Don and Mr George<\/em>. Now, as comedy has become my career<\/a>, I am much more of a geek with an ever-growing list of inspirations.<\/p>\n

\"Filming
Tough day at work while shooting Gary Tank Commander<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

You\u2019ve worked on a lot of shows, can you give us a few examples that you\u2019re most proud of?<\/strong><\/p>\n

I\u2019m not sure I can answer that, and not just because if I omitted to mention a show then the people involved would never speak to me again. Comedy demands an immediate and obvious response, so every single laugh provides a massive buzz while every silence is a downer. I\u2019ve loved working on every show but you end up chasing that next laugh rather than enjoying any past successes.<\/p>\n

You must already have worked with a lot of your heroes, is there anyone still on your wish list though?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Weirdly I\u2019m not that bothered about working with my heroes. As long as they keep making things for us to enjoy then I\u2019m happy enough to enjoy them.<\/p>\n

\"Filming<\/a>
Speaking to John Hannah during the filming of Scotland in a Day<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

You\u2019ve mainly directed TV programmes \u2013 do have any dreams of directing a movie?<\/strong><\/p>\n

I would love to direct a film, but it wouldn\u2019t be a comedy. My other love is horror and I dream of making some joyfully gore-soaked nonsense at some point.<\/p>\n

What advice would you give to people looking to pursue media jobs?<\/strong><\/p>\n

That\u2019s difficult because there are hundreds of careers in the media<\/a>, from accountants to electricians, programmers to chefs. But if you are wanting to work on the creative side, then create. Writers write. Directors direct. Actors act. Any way you can.<\/p>\n

Thank you to Noddy \u2013 both for speaking to us and for being involved in some fantastic TV shows over the years! We hope that reading about Noddy\u2019s experiences, particularly the way in which he came back from dropping out of university, provides some inspiration to others who may find themselves unsure of the future. Remember, we\u2019re always around to help you <\/em>choose the right path for you<\/em><\/a>.<\/em> Photographs supplied by Noddy.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Noddy Davidson (his passport says Iain, in case you\u2019re concerned) is a producer and director, working at The Comedy Unit on some of Scotland\u2019s best-loved TV shows. We grabbed a word with him in between some hectic filming schedules to find out more about his route into working behind the scenes… Did you always intend 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