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Revision as of 18:39, 21 May 2004 by Winehouse47 (talk | contribs) (links + article about bursary also added)(diff) ← Previous revision | Latest revision (diff) | Newer revision → (diff)Fame Academy is the name of televised competition to search for and to educate musical talents, and to award the best contestant with a chance to become a successful music artist. The programme was broadcast by the BBC and was co-produced by Initial, an Endemol company.
It was partly reality television, because the daily lives of the contestants could be watched through live streaming via Freeview. This was accomplished through the instalments of 'spycamera's'.
Coverage of the show was widely done on BBC One, BBC Three, BBC Prime and the CBBC Channel.
Although it was viewed by critics as a similar and alternative format to the Pop Idol series, it was presented as a relative new concept. It also featured live music performances. But the contestants here are called 'students' and are required to be spend a period of ten weeks inside Witanhurst House located in Highgate, North London as part of their musical education offered by Fame Academy, which included fitness/dancing classes, individual vocal coaching and personal development periods.
Unlike Pop Idol, Fame Academy also emphasised on the creative/artistic side of the students, such as writing their own songs and compositions. This was done through masterclasses with accomplished songwriters and musicians. Some of the self-penned material by the students were showcased through the live performance shows.
The show produced three series.
- Fame Academy; Class of 2002
- Fame Academy; Class of 2003
- Comic Relief does Fame Academy (spin-off format set up for the Comic Relief charity in 2003)
The winner of the first series was David Sneddon and the second run was won by Alex Parks.
The money that was raised from the public telephonevoting of the live performance shows was used to fund the Fame Academy Bursary. This is a form of charity that was launched by Youth Music, British Council and the BBC to give young musicians a chance to further their music-making and to educate themselves.