Authors Live with Philip Pullman

We are aware that some people have been having problems registering for events - we are currently working on this.

Please call Heather Collins on 0131 524 0176 or email heather.collins@scottishbooktrust.com if you experience difficulties.

Philip Pullman is without doubt one of the greatest writers of all time and we are absolutely delighted to bring him to you with Author’s Live.

He has been a teacher, storyteller and writer, but he is careful to describe his occupation as a “writer of stories”. He is the author of over 20 books for all age groups and is best known for the bestselling trilogy His Dark Materials, the last volume of which, The Amber Spyglass, was the overall winner of Whitbread Award (now the Costa Book Award), the first and only children’s book ever to claim this honour.

To register your school, library or bookgroup for this wonderful event click on the Register Now button at the top of the screen and follow the on-screen instructions.

How to View and FAQs

To download this information as a Word document or pdf click on the links below. It is a good idea to have a print-out of this information to keep handy for reference on the day of the event.

How to View and FAQs as Word Document
How to View and FAQs as pdf

How to watch the live event – very important information!

• You will be able to view the event at: www.bbc.co.uk/authorslive . Make sure you click on Philip's photo to access the live stream!

Test you can receive the live broadcast before the event:

• A test stream will be broadcast from www.bbc.co.uk/authorslive from 10.45am on Thursday 9th December, and will stay up on site until Philip’s event.
• Also if you follow links from www.bbc.co.uk/authorslive to the Learning Zone you will find archive video clips to play which will allow you to test your equipment.

Test your school’s/organisation’s internet connection

You can test the speed your school’s/organisation’s bandwidth at http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/diagnostics this will give you an indication of whether you will be able to receive the event on 9th December. Even if only the slowest speed gets a tick you will be OK as the BBC’s webstream will be in two different qualities to take account of slower connection speeds.

 

On the day of the event:

• On the day of the event live streaming will start 15 minutes before the start of the event to enable you to have time to adjust sound/speakers etc without missing any of Philip's event. Please ensure you tune in by 10.45am.
• BUFFERING: During the actual broadcast the screen may freeze occassionally with a note that it is 'buffering'. This is perfectly normal during a live internet broadcast. Don't try to adjust anything - please just be patient and wait for the broadcast to continue.

Viewing the event after the live broadcast

• You will be able to access the on-demand file of the original broadcast shortly after the live broadcast at the same link. www.bbc.co.uk/authorslive

FAQs

What time does the event start?
The event starts promptly at 11am on Thursday 9th December 2010. Please log in by 10.45 to give time to adjust speakers etc. before the event starts.

How long does the event last?
The event lasts 40 minutes.

I can’t get the link to work
Please check with technical staff in your school – it may be the website is blocked and you need to ask them to unblock it (they may need to pass this request on to your local authority).

I can access the link but couldn’t view the test event
It may be that the school’s internet connection isn’t fast enough to receive the live feed. To test your connection speed, go to http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/diagnostics. If it says it is sufficient then you should be able to receive the broadcast (even if only the slowest speed gets a tick you will be OK as the BBC’s webstream will be in two different qualities to take account of slower connection speeds.) If it still doesn’t work please consult technical staff in your school. It may be that you need to request computer use in the rest of the school is kept to a minimum during the live broadcasts.

I have been trying to register our school for the free Philip Pullman event on 9th December, but have been unable to make the link work. What can I do about this?
If you cannot access the registration application you can call Chris on 01315240174 or Heather 01315240176 and they will register your group.


Where will the event be shown?
The event will be broadcast on www.bbc.co.uk/authorslive . A test stream will be broadcast from 10.45am on 2nd December 2010 from the same web address, and will remain up until Philip's event is broadcast.


What bandwidth do we need in order to view the events?
You can check your system to see if you have suitable bandwidth to view the event at http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/diagnostics .If it says it is sufficient then you should be able to receive the broadcast (even if only the slowest speed gets a tick you will be OK as the BBC’s webstream will be in two different qualities to take account of slower connection speeds.) If it still doesn’t work please consult technical staff in your school. It may be that you need to request computer use in the rest of the school is kept to a minimum during the live broadcasts.

Can we ask Philip Pullman questions?
You can go to www.bbc.co.uk/authorslive  to submit a question. Please bear in mind that many thousands of children will be watching and will have submitted questions. Please don’t be too disappointed if your question doesn’t get asked.

Can we watch it at a later date?
Yes, it will be available to watch on-demand after the live broadcast at www.bbc.co.uk/authorslive


Will our school firewalls block the website where the event will be broadcast?
You can check by visiting the link www.bbc.co.uk/authorslive – if you can see this site then it shouldn't be blocked. Also if you follow links to the Learning Zone on this site you will find archive video clips to play which will allow you to test your equipment. If you can’t view this site, please check with technical staff in your school – it may be the website is blocked and you need to ask them to unblock it (they may need to pass this request on to your local authority).

Will the broadcast also be available on GLOW?
More details to follow.

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