Short Cuts

Latest Episodes:

Rabbit Holes Oct 07, 2014

Show notes

Josie Long dives down a rabbit hole in this sequence of short documentaries, true stories and radio adventures.

We hear tales of a spam email that alters the course of two people's lives and a mysterious monument made out of shoes at a deserted intersection in rural Indiana.

Miranda July leads us into another world with her story of swim coaching an elderly team in a town near no large bodies of water. Series Producer: Eleanor McDowall

A Falling Tree production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in October 2014.

Explorers May 06, 2014

Show notes

Josie Long goes on an adventure as she presents a sequence of mini documentaries about exploration. With tales of riding cellos down the mountain side and romantic exploration on the U Bahn. Great Bear Rainforest Produced by Elizabeth Arnold Die Fremde Produced by Phil Smith Out of the Blocks (Extract) Produced by Aaron Henkin and electronic musician Wendel Patrick Everest Glissando Feat. Stephen Venables Produced by Hana Walker-Brown Producer: Eleanor McDowall.

A Falling Tree Production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in May 2014.

Mystery Apr 29, 2014

Show notes

Josie Long investigates small mysteries in this sequence of mini documentaries. Hearing tales of ghost ships, hidden underground kingdoms and the disappointment of discovering the banality of your family's secrets. The items featured in the programme are: Finding Sumo Produced by Bob Carlson First broadcast in 'Family Justice' on UnFictional: Love Letters Feat. Alan Dearn Ryou-Un Maru Produced by Martin Johnson The Underground Kingdom Feat. Ross Sutherland Series Producer: Eleanor McDowall

A Falling Tree Production for BBC Radio 4 first broadcast in 2014.

Anonymity Apr 22, 2014

Show notes

Josie Long presents a sequence of mini documentaries exploring what happens when nobody knows your name. From our transgressions online through to an unusual love affair between two strangers who had never set eyes on each other, Josie hears how anonymity can both ensnare and liberate us. Featuring: Long Distance Feat. Victor LaValle Produced by Katie Burningham Undercover Feat. Fergal Keane The Mollusc and the Peacock Produced by Natalie Kestecher Anonymous Produced by Hana Walker-Brown Series Producer: Eleanor McDowall

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in April 2014.

Between Apr 15, 2014

Show notes

Josie Long presents a series of mini-documentaries exploring the idea of being in limbo. From the story of a journalist impersonating a journalist in an Afghan village based in Canada to the music of answer machine messages, Josie examines what happens when we are neither here nor there. Between Feat. Jurate Jurkeviciene Produced by Sara Parker The Village Feat. Chris Bowman Produced by Sophie Black The Gallery Feat. Fernando Maquieira Produced by Sarah Cuddon 'Messages' From 'Portraits in Absentia' Composed and Performed by Jocelyn Pook Nine Months Feat. Jane Dolby Produced by Hana Walker-Brown

Producer: Eleanor McDowall

A Falling Tree Production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in April 2014.

Trespass Apr 08, 2014

Show notes

Josie Long ventures where she shouldn't with this sequence of brief encounters, true stories and radio adventures about acts of trespass.

Stories of stolen waxworks, formal letters severing friendships, and travels into unknown territory.

Urban Exploration Feat. Bradley Garrett http://www.bradleygarrett.com/stills/

Stealing Snowdon Produced by Olivia Humphreys, Chloe White and Will Davies Crown the King Produced by Adam Kampe Originally produced for the Third Coast International Audio Festival 'ShortDocs' competition http://thirdcoastfestival.org/library/collections/4-shortdocs

The Disavowal Produced by Katie Burningham

Munich Feat. Phillip Bull Bruckner Produced by Hana Walker-Brown

Series Producer: Eleanor McDowall

A Falling Tree production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in April 2014.

Waking Life Apr 01, 2014

Show notes

Josie Long presents a sequence of brief encounters, true stories and short documentaries in which the boundaries between 'real' life and dreaming blur. From the addictive, perception-altering qualities of romantic love through to a surreal story about recording dreams. We hear from the legendary film editor and director Walter Murch about the dreamlike qualities of cinematic narratives and the psychologist Susan Blackmore's experience of looking down from the ceiling at her own body. The items featured in the programme are: Waking Life Feat. Susan Blackmore Prod. Sara Parker Dreaming Feat. Walter Murch The Man Who Could Record Your Dreams Prod. Bob Carlson Originally broadcast on Unfictional An extended version of this story can he found here: http://www.kcrw.com/etc/programs/uf/uf110909the_man_who_could_re Last Words Feat. Kester Brewin Love is a Drug Feat. Helen Fisher Prod. Hana Walker Brown Answer Machine Found sound from Tape Findings http://www.sweetthunder.org/tapes/ Series Producer: Eleanor McDowall

A Falling Tree production for BBC Radio 4 first broadcast in April 2014.

The Fear Oct 29, 2013

Show notes

Josie Long gets scared as she presents a sequence of frightening mini documentaries.

From the sound of fear to the feel of terror, we hear the story of a sleepwalking menace stalking through an American summer camp late at night and tales of how the young David O'Doherty was terrorised by his older brother.

Producer: Eleanor McDowall A Falling Tree production for BBC Radio 4

The items featured in the programme are:

Dead Man's Hand Feat. David O'Doherty Prod. Sophie Black

Welcome to the Inn Feat. Wolfgang Georgsdorf Prod. Phil Smith

The Casserole Music by Cabinet of Living Cinema featuring Zac Gvirtzman Prod. Sarah Cuddon

Die From the podcast Random Tape Prod. David Weinberg

Wilder Feat. Dave Benson Prod. Sophie Black.

The Trip Oct 22, 2013

Show notes

Josie Long goes on a series of unusual journeys as she presents a sequence of mini documentaries about adventurous trips.

From searching for teenage misadventure through to finding yourself, we travel from the British seaside to the freezing landscape of Minnesota altering minds and bodies along the way.

Frank Education Feat. Philip Bill Bruckner Prod. Hana Walker-Brown

St Audries Feat. Margaret Pepper Prod. Olivia Humphreys

My Father Takes a Vacation Prod. Martin Johnson

Cold in Minnesota Originally broadcast on the Unfictional Podcast Prod. Bob Carlson

Series producer: Eleanor McDowall

A Falling Tree Production for BBC Radio 4.

Growing Pains Oct 15, 2013

Show notes

Josie Long explores the painful process of growing up in a sequence of mini documentaries.

From first steps to last love, we hear tales of controversial haircuts, the search for independence and the need to let go of the past.

The items featured in the programme are:

Singing Boys Prod. Rikke Houd