An Education: Owen Davey speaks to us about The Story Times on-line series

The Dave channel describes The Story Times producer Owen Davey, 23, as a 'video-auteur'. Owen graduated from UCA Farnham with a First Class Honors in Digital Screen Arts. Now working on-line for UKTV's Dave, he explains how to become a 'video-auteur' and what the hell that means.


1. How did you start your own series for Dave?
There was a full-page ad for Dave's 'Best Part-Time Job In The World' in a free newspaper I found on a train. I tore it out and put it in my left-back pocket; my 'to do' pocket. Some weeks later I found it and applied, since I was already filling my days with applications for jobs that were not advertised as the best in the world, or even as the best in the JobCentre that afternoon.
The online application form was demanding but vague. I had to send a video. I sent a small exert from a farcically, miserably narrated documentary I have been making, only to turn up at the interview to be told that everybody else had applied with enthusiastic "I'm the presenter for you" pieces to camera. The job wasn't mine, but a week later I was back with "some ideas" that Dave had asked for. One idea, my desperate first, was The Story Times pilot, which became The Story Times. To cut a long story short, I fell into an opportunity I'd always wanted, without reference to the five years I spent qualifying for the industry from which it arose. As for auteuriness, I'm cheap, so relatively risk free.

2. The Story Times is narrated by a supremely creepy voice. How do you do it and how can we replicate this for js?
Mostly by bending the pitch down with some free, user-friendly software. I got confused today by bending the pitch down, having already bent it. I am forgetting the sound of my own inadequately youthful voice.

3. You've recently faced legal restrictions in your work, which you protested against by making a statement video, using a dead fish a symbol for the death of your artistic freedoms... What's all this libelous bizzle all about,eh?
Corporate television, so I'm told, has to adhere to certain legal compliance. Dave's lawyers are secret marxist revolutionaries, but they still have to keep me out of trouble (admittedly because I'm new, rather than a badass). Fortunately I planned ahead with a back-up singing-fish episode.

4. We thought the fish was clever. where did you buy it?
The local farmer's market. Of course not! Sainbury's.

5. Did you eat it after?
I didn't. It's the only whole fish they sell, but it's buy-one-get-one-satircal-one-free. That sounds like a rubbish joke but they really do only come in packs of two.

6.How do you chose the villains of The Story Times?
I watch the news on and off in the 24hrs between one episode's airing and another's script-deadline and rather too hastily decide who's most easily bullied. But that's okay, because they're the popular kids, I'm the nobody, and the show's awfully self-deprecating.

7. This one is challenging. You made an episode about PM Cam. Name 3 good things about Cameron.
You think, just because I dedicated an episode to him being kicked in the face by a horse, that I don't like David?
Actually, the Big Society's not necessarily an inherently bad concept, just a familiarly untrustworthy one in the hands of The Conservatives. That counts as ONE. TWO: he is compromised in coalition. THREE: I'm sure he means well.

8. Can you give us a clue as to what episode six will be about?
It's the last in the pilot series, so I was going to cut loose and earn my modern-satirist's 'Pedo Badge', so to speak, what with Sarah's Law knocking about and all, but I've already eaten the remaining fish, so let's see what the dogs drag in. Cryptic.

9. Can you give us tips on how to sound as patronizing as you on The Story Times?
Trying to sound like Will Self or Werner Herzog or any other accomplished and distinctive narrator usually works. Aim for smart, and you'll get there.

10.Can you give us a real life situation when this patronizing tone would be useful in the workplace?
No. It should remain in The Story Times, as if it were stolen from me and trapped there by Ursula.

11. Why is it important we learn the lessons of story times?
It isn't. Just watch it. Leave it on muted repeat whilst you wash-up. Even if you're indifferent to it, send it to all your friends. Use your old hotmail account, if you're too embarrassed. Think of it as a good deed. A sponsorship initiative. You know, the Big Society! Pulling together! Supporting each other! It's ad-sponsored, so just watch it.

12. Favourite Youtube vid of all time?
Insane Robot Dance. I get sentimental.


Take a look at the latest Story Times episode here.

Bernard Chandran, the fish hat man.

Bernard Chandran presented an eclectic show which referenced the Orient and his roots in Kuala Lumpur. The collection is all the more personal due to the unique printing techniques which he employed, such as spraying and painting directly onto the fabrics. The artistry and workmanship which went into this collection is plain to see.

His palette of gold, amber and brown, stone, charcoal and silver seem to derive from the natural elements of woody earth, cooling wind, still and intoxicating waters and warming fire. For the most part Chandran draws on earth and wind and then accents the collection with a couple of boldly coloured pieces which represent water or fire.

The fabrics of the ‘earth’ dresses represent the varying degree of softness to hardness which is present in earthy materials: from grass to bark to rock. The structured tailoring and the central print of bamboo cane are strong and modern. The draped, softer silhouette of some of the charcoal and grey dresses, ambiguously symbolic of earth or wind or water, straddle the boundaries between a hardened aesthetic and romantic dressing.

The accessories are more than unusual: bamboo cane print facemasks and sculptural fish hats provide a quirky undertone. Footwear was reminiscent of Geisha shoes in that the shoe soles were wooden and elevated. Other shoes were feathered or patent leather.

Ultimately Chandran mixes structured silhouettes and fluid fabrics to experiment with the limits of the human body. The textures, prints and fabrics used in this collection frame and extend the human form into something at once guarded and free. The accessories a defiant leap into exotic waters.

Katie Rose
Lesson in Cool: You know when you think you've lost your glasses and then you find them on your head. Trend-setters are just like that but instead of finding their glasses, they find Nemo.