Hallo aus Berlin

Hallo aus Berlin (English: Hello from Berlin) is a British educational television mini-series co-produced by the BBC and the Goethe-Institut. It is used in German lessons in the United Kingdom, United States, Sweden, Hungary, Poland, the Netherlands and Australia. The series' 10 episodes aired on BBC Schools TV from 19 September 1996.[2] It is produced in a 'magazine' style with reports, interviews, 'lively' music, and animated sequences, aimed at beginner German speakers from ages 11–14.[3]

Hallo aus Berlin
GenreEducational television
Directed byScott Ross
Composer(s)Sandy Nuttgens, Mike Scott
Country of originUnited Kingdom
Original language(s)German
No. of episodes10
Production
Executive producer(s)Len Brown
Producer(s)Ronald Smedley
Running time14 Minutes[1]
Release
Original networkBBC Schools TV
Picture format4:3 Aspect Ratio[1]
Audio formatStereo
Original release19 September 1996 –
27 March 1997

The main characters are Marko, Jessica, Daniel, Esther, Thomas and Miriam, young people who introduce the audience to everyday life in Berlin. An animated sketch and song performed by the host characters, Rolli and Rita, appear in every episode.

The episodes are currently available on YouTube or on the BBC website.

Episodes
Episode number Title Title in English Overview
1 "Wir" "We" The characters in the series are introduced. Their looks, heights and ages are described, then Rita and Rolli are introduced. The Rolli and Rita sketch explores a hall of mirrors in a fairground and describes colors and facial features in German. Thomas then describes his enjoyment of cycling, Daniel shows us his cartoons, and Jessica goes shopping; Marko then describes his guinea pig, and Miriam describes her pet dog. Esther is seen partaking in athletics and describes what she does. Rolli and Rita perform the song 'Hallo aus Berlin' (Hello from Berlin).[4]
2 "Familie" "Family" Daniel and his family visit his grandparents. The other characters introduce their brothers and sisters, as well as their pets, after vox-pop interviews with local Berliners. Thomas visits the Berlin Zoo and introduces the different animals that are seen there. Rolli and Rita's sketch shows Rita with a snake at Rolli's house that can perform mathematical calculations; the snake becomes confused and wrecks the room after Rolli asks a "difficult" question. Rolli and Rita then attempt to piece together the broken family portraits, mismatching pieces with different family members. Nada is introduced, a 17-year-old who lives independently of his parents in a flat with other young people, and he describes the chores and jobs he does at home. Rolli and Rita perform the song 'Meine Familie' (My Family).[5]
3 "Zu Hause" "At Home" Marko describes his house. Miriam has breakfast with her family and describes typical breakfast foodstuffs. After vox-pop interviews, Rolli describes his morning routine and forgets to complete his chores before his mother returns home. Marko describes his wardrobe and some of his clothes, and leaves for school. The different types of houses in Berlin are described, and Jessica and Daniel describe their addresses. Some homeless people are seen being served food in a canteen in central Berlin, then Esther visits Jessica's house, where they discuss Take That and listen to CDs. Rolli and Rita perform the song 'Wo Wohnst Du' (Where Do You Live).[6]
4 "In der Stadt" "In The City" Wolfgang, Jessica's cousin, is shown alighting an ICE train and travelling to Jessica's house. He briefly converses with Jessica and her mother on a payphone, before taking the U-Bahn. Thomas meets a fellow Star Trek fan at a shop, and they head off together. Wolfgang is lost and asks a local for help, only to be presented with a lengthy set of directions. Rolli and Rita's sketch involves Rita continuously contacting Rolli via mobile phone and instructing him with conflicting directions, until he inadvertently finds himself atop an under-construction building. Thomas and his friend purchase food, and Daniel, Miriam, Marko and Esther are asked for directions within Berlin. Wolfgang is still lost and calls Jessica again, and she comes to meet him. Rolli and Rita perform "Ist eine Post hier?" (Is There Post Here?). Thomas, his friend, Jessica and Wolfgang are seen at the Cup Final match.[7]
5 "Essen und Trinken" "Food and Drink" Thomas goes grocery shopping for his favourite aunt; meanwhile, Miriam and Jessica organise a trip to McDonald's. Thomas and his aunt visit a cafe for an ice cream and cake. Rolli and Rita try baking at home, which ends in disaster when Rita covers the room with whipped cream. A Turkish market and some traditional Turkish cuisine are seen. Rolli and Rita perform "Eis, bitte" (Ice Cream, Please).[8]
6 "Schule" "School" Jessica and Marko introduce us to their schools, and various lessons can be seen. Lunch break activities are shown. Arno is caught smoking under-age and is sent to the headteacher's office. He is ordered to clean the smoking-corner of the school as punishment meanwhile, an English lesson is seen. Rolli and Rita's sketch involves Rolli not doing his homework, and Rita appearing on a nearby computer screen to assist him, but choosing all of the wrong answers, which leads to them running away. Some students complain to Esther, the class spokesperson, that they are receiving too much German homework; Esther addresses the issue with their German teacher. Jessica introduces us to the after-school clubs (Arbeitsgemeinschaften). A montage is seen of various after school activities, then Rolli and Rita perform 'Was ist dein Lieblingsfach?' (What Is Your Favourite Subject?).[9]
7 "Freizeit" "Free Time" Some students are seen discussing their weekend plans. Miriam describes her horse and demonstrates how she rides and cares for it. Arno is seen sleeping, whilst Daniel, Thomas and Esther meet in a music shop. Jessica is seen doing ballet. Rolli and Rita's sketch involves them causing havoc in a music shop with expensive musical instruments. A traditional Turkish festival is seen, and the main characters are seen dancing in a disco. Rolli and Rita perform "Was machst du am Wochenende?" (What Are You Doing This Weekend?).[10]
8 "Gesundheit" "Fitness" Marko is playing volleyball and injures himself; meanwhile, Esther warms up and does athletics. Healthy and unhealthy foods and habits are discussed. Marko sees a doctor for his injuries and is examined. Rolli and Rita decide to go bowling in their sketch, only to end in disaster. Jessica, Marko, and Esther describe their favourite sports. Karate lessons are seen, and Thomas, Daniel and Miriam describe their favourite activities. Some children in wheelchairs are seen playing basketball, and Rolli and Rita perform 'Ich habe zehn Finger' (I Have Ten Fingers). The characters are then seen at an indoor water park.[11]
9 "Ferien und Feste" "Holidays and Celebrations" Daniel's mother books hotel rooms at a hotel near the Ostsee, where the family are going on holiday. A Turkish festival is seen, and Jessica has her Confirmation at the church. Miriam is seen celebrating her 14th birthday with her family, Thomas, and Jessica. Rolli and Rita are on holiday in their sketch, oblivious to the signs of a storm, before they are struck by lightning. Daniel is seen with his family on the Ostseeküste (Baltic Sea Coast), and they go on a boat ride. Rolli and Rita perform 'Wann hast du Geburtstag?' (When Is Your Birthday?).[12]
10 "Unser Berlin" "Our Berlin" The last episode of the series shows many of the cultural aspects of Berlin. Jessica explores the shops of Berlin and the KaDeWe. Thomas describes the history of the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church, a reminder of World War 2, and Daniel eats in a Berlin restaurant. Esther describes her local area, Kreuzberg, exploring its shops and restaurants. Marko tells the history of the Berlin Wall, and describes the (then new) plans for the Potsdamer Platz redevelopment. The characters say goodbye in a theme park, and Rolli and Rita perform the song 'Das ist unser Berlin' (This Is Our Berlin), ending the series.[13]

Rolli and Rita

Rolli and Rita are two computer-animated teenage characters who appear in every episode of the series, performing a sketch and a song. Rolli also appears in the opening titles of the show – which could perhaps suggest that he is the main character of the show.

They were described as 'state of the art' at the time of the series' original airing in 1996. Independent producers Baxter Hobbins Slides developed a 3D motion-capture system, which was used to animate the characters. This consisted of motion sensor equipped suits, allowing the movements of actors to be mapped to the 3D models. A real-time wireframe animated model of the characters could then be produced, after which skin and clothes were added. The lip movements of the characters were achieved by utilizing the real lip movements of actors filmed against a blue screen.[14]

The sketches were later redubbed in French and Spanish for Quinze Minutes Plus (Juju et Juliette) and Revista (Julio y Julia).

The characters (mainly Rolli) and the music videos 'Wann Hast Du Geburtstag?' and ‘Was Ist Dein Lieblingsfach?’ later became a meme, due to Rolli's 'extreme' and 'over-the-top' dancing.

Rolli was voiced by Frido Ruth, Rita was voiced by Nina Hamm while the singing parts were done by Christina Fry, a professional actress, singer, voice-over artist, comedienne, writer, presenter and cabaretist.

References
  1. "Hallo aus Berlin". IMDb.
  3. Endt, Ernst (2000). Hallo aus Berlin. ISBN 978-3-19-021648-2 – via Google Books.
  4. "Hallo aus Berlin – Wir [episode 1]" – via YouTube.
  5. "Hallo aus Berlin – Familie [episode 2]" – via YouTube.
  6. "Hallo aus Berlin – Zu Hause [episode 3]" – via YouTube.
  7. "Hallo aus Berlin – In der Stadt [episode 4]" – via YouTube.
  8. "Hallo aus Berlin – Essen und Trinken [episode 5]" – via YouTube.
  9. "Hallo aus Berlin – Schule [episode 6]" – via YouTube.
  10. "Hallo aus Berlin – Freizeit [episode 7]" – via YouTube.
  11. "Hallo aus Berlin – Gesundheit [episode 8]" – via YouTube.
  12. "Hallo aus Berlin – Ferien und Feste [episode 9]" – via YouTube.
  13. "Hallo aus Berlin – Unser Berlin [episode 10]" – via YouTube.
  14. "BBC Schools bring cinema to class". Retrieved 15 January 2017.
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