Bona Dicta: Difference between revisions

At the start of 1999, an attempt was made to give the show a bit more production.  A title sequence consisting of UGM footage and talking heads was made by [[Chris Ward]] accompanied by a new version of the old [[Week by Week]] theme music digitally recreated by [[Paul Soulsby]].  This title sequence was used for nearly five years, which may be the {{unsure|longest time any piece of footage has been used so regularly on YSTV.}} The closing credits included footage from that evening's show - making use of the new Mac edit suite that had recently been acquired.

Julie continued to present the show until [[James Brookes]] took over throughout much of 1999-2000, after which the presenters were never consistent, changing very frequently.  Due to the political nature of the programme it was probably the most watched on the station - usually by other campus hacks eager to see their friends.  When the programme went online in October 2004 it was one of the most-watched on the website, with each edition attracting hundreds of hits.  Despite this Bona Dicta was often derided for being stale, or dull, or unexciting to crew.   

In 2003 the show adopted the new news and current affairs standard set, along with a new title sequence at the end of the year. The latter was produced by [[Steve Walker]], and featured the new Bona Dicta logo flying around Central Hall.  There was also a new theme tune, a more down-beat version of the [[YSTV Week]] theme tune.  The new producer and presenter was Michael Brothwell, now a presenter on BBC Radio York.  Soon after [[James Gallagher]] became a regular presenter of the programme, which doubled in length and began debating national politics as well as campus politics.

From autumn 2004 Matthew Platts took charge, adding many surreal elements.  For the final year of the programme [[Kev Larkin]] presented and produced, when the format also changed for the first time, mimicking the BBC's This Week.  There was also another new look, featuring images from around York and London.  However by this point UGM voting had been taken online, with the remaining "discussion" meetings poorly attended and political apathy in York increasing.  As a result of this - and the lack of a producer willing to take on the show - the programme ended regular production in March 2006. 

It returned for [[Elections 2007]] in two successful debate programmes, meaning it ust be one of the few programmes on YSTV to notch up ten year on air (other than coverage of events such as Elections, Roses etc).  It is not yet known whether the show has a future as an annual spin-off from the elections coverage or if it will not return.

James Gallagher has acknowledged that URY's Sourcenight programme - which he launched in 2003, and continues to this day - is a complete ripoff of Bona Dicta.