#Classic Children's Television

[yestolerancepro]

Just the Job revisiting the Employment Game A Tolerance project extra blog

Introduction

Hello this month of August marks 25 years since me and a group of friends worked on a disability awareness film simply called Tolerance. This article is the first in a special series of blogs to celebrate that milestone.

As part of the 25 birthday celebrations I think its only fair that we revisit The Employment game

So why have I included The Employment game in Tolerance Project history ? Well firstly it shares a number of ideas and themes with the former (1) It treats a serious subject with a degree a humour which should make you smile and think at the same time. (2) it uses TV and film themes as part of its soundtrack.

The Employment Game uses the now classic theme from the Rhubarb and Custard cartoon series, The Tolerance Film took this idea further and in the course of its short 25min run time you can hear  themes from Star Wars, the Good the Bad the Ugly, Officer and a Gentlemen and a few others.

Lastly they both feature a person trying their hardest to get there dream job and succeeding in the end.

It is also part of the Tolerance film history that when the idea of the Tolerance film was first talked about, as co-ordinator of the group, I felt it was important to have some idea about what goes into film making, in order that when we did the real thing some months later, So I wouldn’t be completely lost on location or in a studio set. So I enrolled myself on a Film and TV-making course at Beaumont Street studios and as part of the course, we had to produce a short film – the Employment Game was born. 

The Employment Game was made in about in about 1998 The film runs for just under 10 mins and was directed by me with a script written by myself Rob Martin and Steve Walker it was shot inside Beaumont Street studios with very little set no budget and was shot and completed in just 2 days.

Why was The Employment Game created ?

The Employment Game was created as a result of my frustration at struggling to find a permanent job something which still annoys me to this day, especially as not much has changed sadly. Because people see my wheelchair first and me second, I kept being offered training courses, instead of chances of work, and consequently, I have a CV as long as long as your arm.

This is something which Robert himself complains about bitterly in the finished Tolerance film. Like Robert in the Tolerance film the character in the Employment Game has to deal with a man who is not very sympathetic to his wanting paid employment, and will give him every excuse why he will not employ him in his firm.

The man in question in the Employment Game is played by Rob Martin who plays a Mr Grosenberg like character, who in the Employment Game is minus the squeaky voice. I would bump into Rob again when making the Tolerance film when he was hired to provide the Behind The Scenes photographs  for the production

So What are my memories of The Employment Game?

For the most part they are good and happy ones I am glad it turned it so well it was certainly a good training exercise for when I made the Tolerance film some time later. It was a lot of fun to make watching it again recently you can see that that Myself and Rob Martin are having a laugh doing it . It was very hard keeping a straight face at times I can see myself cracking up.

One of the things I remember about the Employment game is that I was planning to do something else With a Scifi theme Quite rightly the teacher of my class steered me towards doing something easier So I came up with the Employment Game idea instead.

Before filming even got started myself and Rob with the other members of the class nicked a camera and did a short pilot of of my ideas.

Watching the film again I note there are 3 script writers myself Rob Martin and Steve Walker. The reason for this was simple, I originally wrote the script myself but about 2 days before filming the script that I worked hard on went walkies So the three of us had to sit down and do an emergency rewrite.

 I don’t think there was much of a script to speak of in fact I think most of it is ad libbed a lot of Rob Martins lines certainly are his comments about the Spice girls and you wouldn’t get the jobs anyway sound is if they come off the top of his head there was also a nice out take from me about the Spice girls that hit the cutting room floor I won’t go into details but The Employment Game was certainly the happier of my 2 filming experiences.

The Themes of The Employment Game/ Borrowing a theme from a Children’s classic

After 2 days of filming the Employment Game was then edited by me at Beaumont street studios the only hitch we had was deciding what music to use for the opening and closing titles as with the Tolerance film my CD collection came to the rescue.

After a short search I decided it was down to 2 pieces of music the Gallery theme used on the programme Vision On, a show aimed at the deaf community that was presented by Pat Keysell and Tony Hart which ran on the BBC for 12 series between 6th March 1964 to 11 May 1976.

To learn more about Vision On which just so happens to be celebrating its 60th birthday this year click here Vision On at 60 – celebrating a creative powerhouse that inspired a generation | Radio Times

The music was part of my Childhood as it was also used on the Tony Hart series Take Hart 1977-1983 if you don’t know what I am talking about. You can find the music on You Tube by looking for it under its proper title called Left Bank two written by Wayne Hill and recorded by the Noveltones for De Wolfe music or click here.The Noveltones - Left Bank Two - Vision On Gallery Theme (youtube.com)

After listening to it featured on rough mix of the film I decided it didn’t work. because it was too long and it didn’t suit the comedic tone of the film. so I decided to go with my second choice the theme from Roobarb and Custard.

You can watch the opening titles by clicking here (4) Roobarb - Intro Theme Tune Animated Titles - YouTube

For those who have not seen the show it was an animated series created by Grange Calveley and originally shown on BBC1 just before the evening news. Each cartoon, written by Calveley and directed by Bob Godfrey, was about five minutes long. Thirty episodes were made, and the show was first shown on 21 October 1974. The theme is that of the friendly rivalry between Roobarb, a green dog with an overactive imagination, and Custard, the mischievous laconic pink cat from next door.

The narration of the series was provided by the actor Richard Briers

Photo Captions

Beaumont street studios where the Employment game was shot it closed its doors for the last time  2010

 Me in the job Centre set one of the writers Steve walker is sat next to me in the blue shirt

Rob Martin as the not very helpful Job centre employee

A 20 year old me I play a version of myself in the film not much of a stretch really

Me and my Electric Chair providing the title sequence

Vision on with Pat Keysell and Tony Hart

Roobarb and Custard

 Richard Briers.

Special Thanks to Ian Medley for rescuing the film from VHS

To help the Tolerance Project you can read about us or give us a small donation by clicking on the following link

 or follow us on Twitter @tolerancepro

[mariocki]

Pathfinders to Mars (ABC, 1960 - 1961)

"You know, Henderson, the progress of true science depends not only on the cold, calculating types, but also on the adventurers and dreamers. There's a place for all of us under the sun."

"Yes... as long as we don't get too close to it."

[bricksxbooks]

I support this product idea on LEGO Ideas, and you should, too!

[menandwomanofhistory]

Fred Rogers ("Mister" Rogers)

[spitfireboy2]

PLAY SAFE 'ELECTRIC PYLONS' 1970S PUBLIC INFORMATION AD UK RETRO TV ADVE...

[grishamanimationstudios102]

Sesame Street (season 12, 1980-81): funding credits and 1971 PBS logo.

[arconinternet]

Read All About It (Videos, 1979-1982)

You can watch this classic-Doctor-Who-esque Canadian educational TV series here.

[anotheruserwithnoname]

Taking a break from the Jenna Coleman flood, here's another Amazon Prime production I'm looking forward to seeing. This one is for Canadians of a certain age - a long-awaited documentary on Ernie Coombs, the iconic Mr. Dressup.

(I hope they do one on Bob Homme, the Friendly Giant next!)

[weaversweek]

From 1989, a publicity still for Maid Marian and her Merry Men.

Tony Robinson (mayor of Nottingham) welcomes Tony Robinson (Maid Marian writer, where he played the sheriff of Nottingham) and Kate Lonegran (who played Maid Marian).

[baebeylik]

The Six Million Dollar Man Lunchbox.

American. 1974. Metal frame.

The Smithsonian Museum of American History.

[davidbeardmusic]

https://www.pond5.com/artist/davidbeardmusic

Official Pond5 Storefront. Music and sound design for the Film and Television industry, expertly finessing genres from Children's Music to Horror, Classical to Contemporary!

[yestolerancepro]

Happy Birthday to Roobarb aka Roobarb and custuard that was first broadcast on the BBC 50 years ago today I of course used the shows famous theme for my short film the Employment Game

[mariocki]

Pathfinders to Venus (ABC, 1961)

"What a paradise this place is. The way Earth must have been before man spoiled it with sprawling towns and filthy machines."

"If it hadn't been for man's filthy machines we wouldn't be here."

"That's true. And the pity of it is that after us will come rocket after rocket to ravage this planet. They'll gouge the minerals out of the earth, destroy the forests and eventually they'll go to war over it."

[aphrodeiities]

ᴀꜱᴛᴇʀᴏɪᴅ ʙᴇʟʟᴀ [695]

follow for more content <3

get a chart reading done!

❦  asteroid bella [695] is an asteroid that means beauty, how and where you value beauty. this asteroid is also about your beauty on an energetic level, and how it manifests and shines.

♇ ASTEROID BELLA IN 1H/ARIES ⟶ very in your face beauty, sharp and very bold. strong features, cheekbones are strong. head might be prominent even forehead. can value beauty a lot and even chase it. can even chase compliments. embracing sexuality, and very bombshell type of beauty. nice body and even chest. might have a beauty spot on their face or body.

♇ ASTEROID BELLA IN 2H/TAURUS ⟶ can value beauty a lot. can only feel valued when they feel beautiful, very earthy type of beauty. like garden fairy or nymph type of attraction. very good singers, could like to kiss a lot. might buy a lot of beauty and self-care products. very feminine beauty, makes the people around them calm, and can have a really nice scent and voice.

♇ ASTEROID BELLA IN 3H/GEMINI ⟶ the girl next door type of beauty. my friend's "sister" or like the school crush. could never see them again type of beauty. could either be careless about their beauty or could be very anxious about it. they could be the type of people to care about the trends, influencer type of essence like leah halton and can be a charming person, very flirtatious. could look similar to a relative.

♇ ASTEROID BELLA IN 4H/CANCER ⟶ looking like your mother type of beauty, could have nice chests and cheekbones, the "i want to make you my wife or baby mother " type of beauty, beware of trappers! many beauty spots especially around chest area. classical type of beauty, like old hollywood. luscious hair and mysterious type of essence, classic television type of beauty, childhood crush and very sea mother type of energy.

♱ ASTEROID BELLA IN 5H/LEO ⟶ youthful but glamorous type of beauty. curly/big hair like starfire type of beauty. nice posture, could pose a lot, very 2000's beauty, not y2k aesthetic specifically. born for the spotlight, gold highlights and being a superstar type of essence. "i think you're famous" or "i think i've seen you before" type of beauty. stuck in your mind. could have beautiful children, creative and expressive style, many colours or dramatic makeup.

♱ ASTEROID BELLA IN 6H/VIRGO ⟶ classy type of beaut, might look for trends you could fit in. clean girl type of beauty; can chase beauty and could strive for perfection. "office girl" type of essence, glasses and cosplaying as another identity. wants to be better than other people, others could feel judged around them. work crush type of beauty. other people could envy your looks.

♱ ASTEROID BELLA IN 7H/LIBRA ⟶ temperance card/angel type of beauty. approachable, looks like a kind person, reminds me of the type of girl you would see in a perfume advert. light colour palette. flowy hair could be straight, can be very hip when it comes to their beauty, "she's like a rainbow" type of beauty, from the song she's a rainbow by the rolling stones. very beautiful people, could be known for that, and might take care of themselves all the time and could care of the opinions of others too much. could look nice in suits.

♱ ASTEROID BELLA IN 8H/SCORPIO ⟶ striking beauty, like a vampire. van helsing/dracula's brides. or like form interview with the vampire. could intimidate other people, other people would want to know your secrets. embracing sexuality and putting dark make up on yourself with white eyeshadow, it reminds me of alexa demie and gabriette. dark hair, luscious, big fur cat, wide and sharp smile, more succubus than siren.

♇ ASTEROID BELLA IN 9H/SAGITTARIUS ⟶ another very in your face type of beauty, colourful beauty, might be fetishised, "exotic beauty", very catchy beauty; ambiguous as well. golden skin, type of holiday romance type of crush, can look good in a variety type of make up, especially blues. dimples and a lot of beauty moles, very nice hair, the attractive person in an air port. the type to be everybody's type. easy-going energy, makes other people laugh, and their humour also makes them attractive.

♇ ASTEROID BELLA IN 10H/CAPRICORN ⟶ another classic beauty, being a model type of beauty. slicked back hair and up do's. type to influence other people with their styles, strong and sharp features, either jaw, cheeks or eyebrows. can look good in either muted or bold colours, women in suits, intimidating beauty, cares about how they look. another indicator of work-crush type of beauty, are known for their attractive features, could have a nice body as well.

♇ ASTEROID BELLA IN 11H/AQUARIUS ⟶ very other-worldly type of beauty, alien, mermaid and fairy. the type to rock every outfit you wear, creating trends and could gain fame on the internet because of your looks. being eccentric makes you liked by other people, could be the friend crush, or you crush on other friends. could also manifest to your friends friend having a crush on you. "i did it first" type of beauty, like make up trend other people might find weird in the beginning but as time passes they would follow it.

♇ ASTEROID BELLA IN 12H/PISCES ⟶ mystical beauty, past lover type of beauty. "i think i know you from another life." haunting and siren beauty. like a ghost, has the type of essence that'll make other people want to drop everything for you. but could chase compliments/people. others could envy your beauty. glamour magick type of attraction. could be watched a lot, can draw people in easily. people could stalk you because of your looks. could remind other people of the fae, could be the one that envies other people.

masterlist

get a chart reading

♇ pluto

[whencartoonsruletheworld]

Hey so like many of you, I saw that article about how people are going into college having read no classic books. And believe it or not, I've been pissed about this for years. Like the article revealed, a good chunk of American Schools don't require students to actually read books, rather they just give them an excerpt and tell them how to feel about it. Which is bullshit.

So like. As a positivity post, let's use this time to recommend actually good classic books that you've actually enjoyed reading! I know that Dracula Daily and Epic the Musical have wonderfully tricked y'all into reading Dracula and The Odyssey, and I've seen a resurgence of Picture of Dorian Gray readership out of spite for N-tflix, so let's keep the ball rolling!

My absolute favorite books of all time are The Haunting of Hill House and We Have Always Lived in the Castle by Shirley Jackson. Classic psychological horror books about unhinged women.

I adore The Bad Seed by William March. It's widely considered to be the first "creepy child" book in American literature, so reading it now you're like "wow that's kinda cliche- oh my god this is what started it. This was ground zero."

I remember the feelings of validation I got when people realized Dracula wasn't actually a love story. For further feelings of validation, please read Frankenstein by Mary Shelley and The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson. There's a lot the more popular adaptations missed out on.

Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier is an absolute gem of a book. It's a slow-build psychological study so it may not be for everyone, but damn do the plot twists hit. It's a really good book to go into blind, but I will say that its handling of abuse victims is actually insanely good for the time period it was written in.

Moving on from horror, you know people who say "I loved this book so much I couldn't put it down"? That was me as a kid reading A Little Princess by Frances Hodgson Burnett. Picked it up while bored at the library and was glued to it until I finished it.

Peter Pan and Wendy by JM Barrie was also a childhood favorite of mine. Next time someone bitches about Woke Casting, tell them that the original 1911 Peter Pan novel had canon nonbinary fairies.

Watership Down by Richard Adams is my sister Cori's favorite book period. If you were a Warrior Cats, Guardians of Ga'Hoole or Wings of Fire kid, you owe a metric fuckton to Watership Down and its "little animals on a big adventure" setup.

A Raisin in the Sun by Lorraine Hansberry was a play and not a book first, but damn if it isn't a good fucking read. It was also named after a Langston Hughes poem, who's also an absolutely incredible author.

Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury is a book I absolutely adore and will defend until the day I die. It's so friggin good, y'all, I love it more than anything. You like people breaking out of fascist brainwashing? You like reading and value knowledge? You wanna see a guy basically predict the future of television back in 1953? Read Fahrenheit.

Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain and To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee are considered required reading for a reason: they're both really good books about young white children unlearning the racial biases of their time. Huck Finn specifically has the main character being told that he will go to hell if he frees a slave, and deciding eternal damnation would be worth it.

As a sidenote, another Mark Twain book I was obsessed with as a kid was A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court. Exactly what it says on the tin, incredibly insane read.

If Beale Street Could Talk by James Baldwin is a heartbreaking but powerful book and a look at the racism of the time while still centering the love the two black protagonists feel for each other. Giovanni's Room by the same author is one that focuses on a MLM man struggling with his sexuality, and it's really important to see from the perspective of a queer man living in the 50s– as well as Baldwin's autobiographical novel, Go Tell it on the Mountain.

Agatha Christie mysteries are all still absolutely iconic, but Murder on the Orient Express is such a good read whether or not you know the end twist.

Maybe-controversial-maybe-not take: Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov is a good book if you have reading comprehension. No, you're not supposed to like the main character. He pretty much spells that out for you at the end ffs.

Animal Farm by George Orwell was another favorite of mine; it was written as an obvious metaphor for the rise of fascism in Russia at the time and boy does it hit even now.

And finally, please read Shakespeare plays. As soon as you get used to their way of talking, they're not as hard to understand as people will lead you to believe. My absolute favorite is Twelfth Night- crossdressing, bisexual love triangles, yellow stockings... it's all a joy.

and those are just the ones i thought of off the top of my head! What're your guys' favorite classic books? Let's make everyone a reading list!

[grishamanimationstudios102]

Part 4 of my classic Sesame Street tribute, Smurfs style. Cookie Monster is a monster who likes cookies. Grover is a furry, blue and friendly monster who tends to goof up at times, especially with restaurant orders and certain facts on things like health tips and expeditions.

Sesame Street (C) Children's Television Workshop/PBS

The Smurfs (C) Peyo/IMPS/Lafig Belgium, S.A.