Jonathan Thompson
Encyclopedia
Jonathan Thompson, born in Salford, Greater Manchester
, November 1976 is a British
television presenter but he is also an actor and entrepreneur and photographic model. He is an avid collector of classic arcade games
and Trinity C of E High School, Manchester
, before attending Manchester Grammar School
. He went on to study at both the University of Salford where he gained a HND in Design & Media Communications in 1997, and the school of Journalism, Media and Communication, University of Central Lancashire
from which he graduated with BA (Hons) Television and Radio in 1999.
where he presented various evening and weekend shows. BBC GMR where he presented a program called “The People” He also had a role in the BBC’s popular drama ”Cutting It”
in 2005.
Thompson has scaled up his media activity and stars in his own sky advert, yet he still operates on a freelance basis when time allows, he has been able to conduct exclusive interviews with some of the best known science fiction actors, including Dave Prowse (the physical form of Darth Vader) and Elisabeth Sladen
(Sarah Jane Smith from Doctor Who). This has also lead him on to working with Manchester (UK) based bar FAB Cafe, bringing in stars,(some his personal friends) of TV and film for public interviews, like Jeremy Bulloch(Boba Fett from Star Wars) as well as the likes of 80's TV series, the A-Team cast member Dirk Benedict (Face from the A team).
He has also done freelance reporting work for Southport Reporter
, and Channel M
.
machine, this fascination with arcades led frequent trips to Blackpool
and it was on one of these trips that he purchased his first Star Wars
machine. This sparked the collecting bug, and he had amassed a small collection whilst still in his early teens. He was able to take advantage of the lack of interest in old hardware in the early 1990s and managed to make several block purchases of machines for bargain prices, using the then fledgling Ebay
to search for machines. The retro gaming revival and subsequent rise in interest in classic machines enabled him to build a successful business.
He now runs a company, which deal in original machines, Sci Fi Machines which offers machines for hire. His company was also commissioned to produce commemorative cabinets to celebrate the release of ”Taito Legends”
in 2005. He is a familiar face on the retro gaming circuit and a regular guest speaker at exhibitions, along with more established figures such as Archer Maclean
.
led him to collect as many of the machines as possible, and the 1997 cinema re-release of the trilogy led to a stroke of good fortune. Several machines were sited at a local cinema which led to an unexpected demand for his machines. Thompson currently is the PR front man for the largest collection of Star Wars arcade machines in Europe, they have been exhibited all over the country and featured prominently at Star Wars Celebration Europe
commemorating the movie’s 30th anniversary in 2007.
The next stage of this project is held in Manchester at the Urbis center. The exhibition opened in May 2009 and runs until 20 September 2009, called "Videogame Nation". This event will log the interest from the public and will allow a study of who people react to this subject.
Greater Manchester
Greater Manchester is a metropolitan county in North West England, with a population of 2.6 million. It encompasses one of the largest metropolitan areas in the United Kingdom and comprises ten metropolitan boroughs: Bolton, Bury, Oldham, Rochdale, Stockport, Tameside, Trafford, Wigan, and the...
, November 1976 is a British
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
television presenter but he is also an actor and entrepreneur and photographic model. He is an avid collector of classic arcade games
Early life
Thompson was educated at St James' Primary School, RusholmeRusholme
-Etymology:Rusholme, unlike other areas of Manchester which have '-holme' in the place name is not a true '-holme'. Its name came from ryscum, which is the dative plural of Old English rysc "rush": "[at the] rushes"...
and Trinity C of E High School, Manchester
Manchester
Manchester is a city and metropolitan borough in Greater Manchester, England. According to the Office for National Statistics, the 2010 mid-year population estimate for Manchester was 498,800. Manchester lies within one of the UK's largest metropolitan areas, the metropolitan county of Greater...
, before attending Manchester Grammar School
Manchester Grammar School
The Manchester Grammar School is the largest independent day school for boys in the UK . It is based in Manchester, England...
. He went on to study at both the University of Salford where he gained a HND in Design & Media Communications in 1997, and the school of Journalism, Media and Communication, University of Central Lancashire
Journalism, Media and Communication, University of Central Lancashire
The School of Journalism, Media and Communication, University of Central Lancashire is one of the UK's longest established centres of journalism teaching, growing out of the Harris College, Preston.-Education:...
from which he graduated with BA (Hons) Television and Radio in 1999.
Media career
Thompson started his broadcasting career at the age of 18 when he presented on SKY’s Nickelodeon channel. In addition he presented on hospital radio based in the Manchester Royal InfirmaryManchester Royal Infirmary
The Manchester Royal Infirmary is a hospital in Manchester, England which was founded by Charles White in 1752 as a cottage hospital capable of caring for twelve patients. Manchester Royal Infirmary is part of a larger NHS Trust incorporating several hospitals called Central Manchester University...
where he presented various evening and weekend shows. BBC GMR where he presented a program called “The People” He also had a role in the BBC’s popular drama ”Cutting It”
Cutting It
Cutting It was a popular BBC television programme set in Manchester, England, which ran for four series between 2002 and 2005.- Series 1 :...
in 2005.
Thompson has scaled up his media activity and stars in his own sky advert, yet he still operates on a freelance basis when time allows, he has been able to conduct exclusive interviews with some of the best known science fiction actors, including Dave Prowse (the physical form of Darth Vader) and Elisabeth Sladen
Elisabeth Sladen
Elisabeth Clara Heath-Sladen was an English actress best known for her role as Sarah Jane Smith in the British television series Doctor Who. She was a regular cast member from 1973 to 1976, alongside both Jon Pertwee and Tom Baker, and reprised the role many times in subsequent decades, both on...
(Sarah Jane Smith from Doctor Who). This has also lead him on to working with Manchester (UK) based bar FAB Cafe, bringing in stars,(some his personal friends) of TV and film for public interviews, like Jeremy Bulloch(Boba Fett from Star Wars) as well as the likes of 80's TV series, the A-Team cast member Dirk Benedict (Face from the A team).
He has also done freelance reporting work for Southport Reporter
Southport Reporter
Southport Reporter is an online newspaper started by Patrick Trollope, is not only seen as a newspaper but also as the UK's first online-only regional newspaper. It is based in Southport on Merseyside, and was quickly recognised by the National Union of Journalists as well as other media groups,...
, and Channel M
Channel m
Channel M is a regional television station, based in Manchester, England. It began broadcasting on 14 February 2000 as Manchester Student Television and is owned and operated by the Guardian Media Group.-Coverage:...
.
Retro gaming
Thompson’s obsession with video games started at an early age when he was first encountered a ”TRON”Tron (arcade game)
Tron is a coin-operated arcade video game manufactured and distributed by Bally Midway in 1982. It is based on the Walt Disney Productions motion picture Tron released in the same year. The game consists of four subgames inspired by the events of the science fiction film. It features some...
machine, this fascination with arcades led frequent trips to Blackpool
Blackpool
Blackpool is a borough, seaside town, and unitary authority area of Lancashire, in North West England. It is situated along England's west coast by the Irish Sea, between the Ribble and Wyre estuaries, northwest of Preston, north of Liverpool, and northwest of Manchester...
and it was on one of these trips that he purchased his first Star Wars
Star Wars (arcade game)
Star Wars is an arcade game produced by Atari Inc. and released in 1983. The game is a first person space simulator, simulating the attack on the Death Star from the final act of Star Wars - Episode IV: A New Hope...
machine. This sparked the collecting bug, and he had amassed a small collection whilst still in his early teens. He was able to take advantage of the lack of interest in old hardware in the early 1990s and managed to make several block purchases of machines for bargain prices, using the then fledgling Ebay
EBay
eBay Inc. is an American internet consumer-to-consumer corporation that manages eBay.com, an online auction and shopping website in which people and businesses buy and sell a broad variety of goods and services worldwide...
to search for machines. The retro gaming revival and subsequent rise in interest in classic machines enabled him to build a successful business.
He now runs a company, which deal in original machines, Sci Fi Machines which offers machines for hire. His company was also commissioned to produce commemorative cabinets to celebrate the release of ”Taito Legends”
Taito Legends
Taito Legends is a compilation of 29 arcade games released for the PlayStation 2, Xbox, and PC in October 2005. The games were originally developed by Taito Corporation. The European release was published by Empire Interactive, who had licensed the games from Taito and developed the compilation...
in 2005. He is a familiar face on the retro gaming circuit and a regular guest speaker at exhibitions, along with more established figures such as Archer Maclean
Archer MacLean
Archer MacLean is a British video game programmer.- Beginnings :He is the author of such titles as Dropzone and International Karate, which he developed for the Atari 400/800 but were ported to other systems. Archer also created the sequel to International Karate, IK+ which was developed for the...
.
Star Wars
Thompson’s love of Star WarsStar Wars
Star Wars is an American epic space opera film series created by George Lucas. The first film in the series was originally released on May 25, 1977, under the title Star Wars, by 20th Century Fox, and became a worldwide pop culture phenomenon, followed by two sequels, released at three-year...
led him to collect as many of the machines as possible, and the 1997 cinema re-release of the trilogy led to a stroke of good fortune. Several machines were sited at a local cinema which led to an unexpected demand for his machines. Thompson currently is the PR front man for the largest collection of Star Wars arcade machines in Europe, they have been exhibited all over the country and featured prominently at Star Wars Celebration Europe
Star Wars Celebration
Star Wars Celebration is a fan gathering to celebrate the release of a Star Wars franchise movie. It all began in 1999, when Lucasfilm held the Star Wars Celebration in Denver, Colorado to celebrate the upcoming release of Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace...
commemorating the movie’s 30th anniversary in 2007.
Video Game and Computer Museum Project
The first stage of Jonathan's campaign to bring to the UK was a competition called the 'Voyager Crusade'. This competition was run in Liverpool and was aimed at finding young up-and-coming game designers with the emphasis on playability, rather than the modern gaming trend of style over substance. The idea being to drum up interest in video gaming. The winner was announced before the end of 2008.The next stage of this project is held in Manchester at the Urbis center. The exhibition opened in May 2009 and runs until 20 September 2009, called "Videogame Nation". This event will log the interest from the public and will allow a study of who people react to this subject.
External links
- Jonathan_Thompson's official website
- Lancashire Evening Post 2007
- Jonathan’s Myspace profile
- Sci Fi Machines
- Liverpool Reporter Radio, reporting on the Southport Weekender 2006
- The Sunderland Echo 06 March 2006
- Star Wars Celebration Europe Official Video
- Level 22 Management
- Voyager Crusade official site
- Lancashire Evening Telegraph (Oct. 1999)