Simon Houlihan CV
Experienced producer with a passion for broadcast media. Various creative and technical roles in BBC Radio since 1995. Notable achievements include ‘Life on the Edge’ – part of the landmark documentary series ‘A Sense of Place’, heard on BBC Radio 4 and featured as ‘Pick of the Day’ in The Daily Mail and Radio Times. Trail campaigns heard on all BBC national networks as well as regional and local stations. In 2010 I was featured in Ariel magazine for my work on the Leicester Comedy Festival for BBC Radio 7 (now Radio 4 Extra).
Producer on BBC Video Nation with several films featured on BBC Breakfast (National) and regional TV.
Freelance promotions producer for BBC Radio 4, working with high-profile presenters and as a video editor for BBC Music Events, including Glastonbury.
Other recent work includes audio documentary ‘The Poor Murdered Woman’ featuring folk legend Shirley Collins, for Folk Radio UK and numerous promotional music videos.
Doctor Who, Bluey, Holby City, Hey Duggee, Alan Partridge, Harold Pinter Season on BBC4, Fear of Fanny (BBC 4), I’m With Stupid (BBC 3), Rob Brydon’s Annually Retentive (BBC 3)
Blowzabella and Topette!!
MUSIC
Pianist, Composer and Musical Director
Created and composed black comedy rock musical Intentional Self-Slaughter
Toured with Nigel Eaton and Paul James in trio Ancient Beatbox, including an appearance at The Barbican, London
Performed as onstage musician with members of The Krysler Orchestra in The Snow Queen (Kaboodle Productions) directed by Josette Bushell-Mingo OBE 1988?
Musical Director and keyboards for Jack and the Beanstalk at The Tyne Theatre and Opera House in Newcastle. Featuring Denny Ferguson and cast of Byker Grove. Astrakhan Ltd. Directed by Ronan Paterson
Musical Director and keyboards for National tour of The Adventures of Mr Toad. 1995?
Piano for David Jackson’s major musical work ‘The House That Cried’
David Jackson (Van Der Graaf Generator) composed a large-scale theatrical music piece titled The House That Cried. Written in collaboration with musician/librettist Judge Smith, it is an immersive, large-scale performance piece.
Appeared on Paul James album The Drowned Lover And Other Dark Tales (Hammond organ)
Appeared on album Well Gone in Europe by The Frantic Mushrooms https://www.discogs.com/release/3447641-Frantic-Flintstones-Well-Gone-In-Europe (offshoot of cult Psychobilly band The Frantic Flintstones with members of The Magic Mushroom Band), playing piano and the voice of radio newsreader.
Appeared on Ian Cognito’s album.
Played piano onstage backing Ian Cognito at The Bloomsbury Theatre, London
Appeared on White Horses album Soul on Fire
White Horses Soul On Fire
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Oct 2018 – present BBC Radio 4 and BBC Sounds Compliance Editor (Freelance)
Auditioning podcast acquisitions to ensure they comply with the BBC’s editorial standards, making edits and adding warnings when appropriate and referring to the BBC’s Head of Editorial Policy as necessary. Using Proteus to make detailed notes and to complete and sign off compliance forms. Responsible for training and supervising a small team of freelance compliance producers.
Nov 2016 – present BBC Radio 4 Extra Reversioning Producer (Freelance)
(See below for job description)
June 2016 – present BBC Music Events Video Editor (Freelance)
Editing clips and highlights of major music festivals for publication on BBC iPlayer, YouTube etc. including Glastonbury, 1 Xtra Live and Radio 2 Live in Hyde Park.
May 2016 – present BBC Radio 3 & 4 Promotions Producer (Freelance)
Working alongside high-profile presenters, announcers and programme producers to create effective trails promoting programmes on Radio 3 and 4. Also involved with cross-promotion campaigns on other national networks including Radio 2 and 6 Music.
Aug 2011 – present Videographer / Photographer (Freelance)
Including photography for BBC iplayer and Radio 4 website (Edinburgh Festival) and Folk Roots magazine. Promotional videos for Blowzabella and Topette!! amongst many others.
27/09/10 – 31/07/11 Red Bee Media TV Playout Director
Responsible for the accurate, effective and smooth management and running of BBC Worldwide and Channel 5.
01/07/07 – 22/03/10 BBC Radio 7 (Radio 4 Extra) Presentation Producer
Responsible for flagship contemporary comedy strand The Comedy Club.
Producing comedy, drama and factual features. Conducting interviews in studio and on location, hiring and directing talent.
Recording links and voiceovers with presenters, placing trails / features and mixing schedule to time on automated playout system (VCS).
Writing and producing trails to promote programmes and cross-trails for broadcast on other BBC networks. OFCOM compliance and programme sign-off.
20/09/02 – 20/08/07 BBC Radio 7 (Radio 4 Extra) Reversioning Producer
Ensuring archive programmes are suitable for rebroadcast, including checking OFCOM compliance, making edits where necessary, advising presentation team when warning announcements are required, writing billings for press / EPGs, signing off programmes on behalf of the network and making detailed notes about content in Proteus database.
May 06 – Oct 06 BBC MC & A Promotions Producer
Writing and producing cross-trails for broadcast on BBC national and local radio stations. Campaigns included Holby City, Rob Brydon’s Annually Retentive, I’m With Stupid, Fear of Fanny and The Secret Life of Mrs Beaton. Work broadcast on all BBC national and local stations.
Mar 07 BBC Radio 4 Promotions Producer
Writing and producing trails including Slavery, The Making Of starring Lenny Henry, Agatha Christie’s Dumb Witness and The Road to Rome with Alan Little.
01 Aug 02 – 1 Jul 04 BBC Video Nation Broadcast Journalist / Producer
Making video “shorts’ about people’s views and experiences for online archive and TV. Researching, shooting and editing using DV cameras / Avid Express. Some films were featured on BBC Breakfast as part of their Asylum Season and also regional TV.
2003 BBC Southern Counties Radio Producer
Multi-cultural drama series The Religious Warrs performed by local amateur actors. Recorded on location in and around Brighton. Responsible for recording, editing and sound design.
BBC Radio Entertainment Producer
Four-part comedy pilot Local Folk Rock funded by BBC Radio Entertainment and broadcast on BBC Southern Counties Radio.
01 Feb 02 – 31 Jul 02 BBC Southern Counties Radio Producer
Landmark twelve-part documentary series A Sense of Place, exploring people’s relationships with places. Technical production, research, interviewing, recording, editing and mixing. Life on the Edge and It’s A Funny Old Life broadcast on BBC Radio 4 and featured in The Daily Mail and Radio Times.
Oct 02 BBC Broadcast Ltd Promotions Producer
Xtrails to promote BBC 4 Harold Pinter Season on BBC Radio 3 & 4.
Jan 99 – Jan 02 BBC Southern Counties Radio Broadcast Assistant / Station Producer
Technical operation in live studios and making creative trails to promote station programmes and events. Also produced Brighton Festival Live and read news and travel bulletins.
Jul 95 – Dec 98 BBC Southern Counties Radio Broadcast Assistant / Travel Presenter
Compiling and reading travel bulletins for Surrey, Sussex and North Hampshire.
Before joining the BBC in 1995 I worked extensively in Commercial Radio, including Heart, Capital and Liberty (London) and Classic FM. Before that I was Assistant Music Officer at South Hill Park Arts Centre and Wilde Theatre, Bracknell, Berks.
I also run The Comedy Cellar (established Oct 1986, the longest-running comedy club outside of London) and have extensive experience as a musician/composer, mainly in professional theatre.
Qualifications and Training
2016 Sadie refresher course (BBC)
2011 Voiceover Masterclass
2010 Multiple Playout Systems (Red Bee Media)
2009 Managing Your Presenter (BBC)
2008 Safeguarding Trust (BBC)
2007 Digital Studio Operation (BBC)
2003 DV Camera Operation & Video Editing on Avid Express (BBC)
2003 Essential Law for Journalists (BBC)
2002 Sadie (DAW) skills (BBC)