I helped bring Children in Need 2018 to you
Autumn is riddled with annual television charity specials, with the likes of Stand Up to Cancer and Children in Need taking place. But what does it take to bring these programmes to your living room? And why should you watch?
To find out I contacted the BBC, to see if it would be possible to volunteer on the BBC South broadcast of Children in Need. Immediately welcomed onto the team with just a little paperwork to sign, I was thrust into the world of live outdoor broadcasting.
Before the event my briefing was Green Room Coordinator, essentially working with the talent to make sure everything was prepped and ready when the cameras started rolling.
The event would be taking place at a school, so it was necessary to know and follow the 10 golden rules, which were emailed in the information pack about the role. The rules were put in place in order to safeguard the children, so knowing them was important.
And so, the day of the event had finally arrived: November 16.
The live broadcasts would be happening all day, throughout the school, but as the Green Room Coordinator, my job would not start until the afternoon, when the studio guests and fundraisers arrived.
Walking into the venue was a new experience, especially since it was at my former school!
There were large lorries and vehicles full of broadcasting equipment, and wires snaking everywhere between them. But seeing the amount of equipment needed to just transmit the broadcast, showed the sheer scale of the undertaking of the production itself.
Security greeted everyone at the door and checked them off the list, to make sure only people working or appearing on the show got in.
I was given a green wristband to indicate my membership of the crew, and whisked up to the studio and green room to familiarise myself with the surroundings.
It was amazing to see the amount of people needed to create a production of this size. On the tour it was shown to me how the wires previously seen attached to the trucks, outside, were lain from the studio, the school’s theatre, through a room and straight out a window. This is how television works, and how the beloved Children in Need is brought, to you. By some wires dangling precariously out a window!
Now fully familiar with the set-up, the green-room-coordinating could begin. The job involved greeting guests at the entrance, taking them to the green room, offering them something to drink and eat, making sure they had everything they needed and were comfortable. After a minor mishap with the lift, who knew you needed to use a key? Everything went smoothly and I settled into a nice pattern, greet guest, ask about day and what they are doing for the broadcast, show them the green room and make a cup of tea for them, repeat, until all guests have arrived.
It was at this time that I learned what might be the most important thing of the night. The old adage that people often say about the broadcasting world: ‘hurry up and wait’. Well, it is true. After greeting the final guest, the only things to do were tidy up after them and watch the taping of the broadcast. Which were truly great nonetheless.
Finally the transmission began and the presenters, Anjana Gadgil and Tony Husband, were beamed into homes across the south. Having talked to them a little beforehand, it was interesting to see how the tone of voice changed from having a casual conversation, to being ‘on’ for the television. The voice for the cameras is much more enthusiastic and engaging, to really drag viewers in.
Other things that were interesting about the event were the camera operators and their seamless ability to move around and not bump into anything and work all together to always get the perfect shot, and almost never be in each others frame. The floor manager and producer, although there was a lot going on, had everything under control and made the broadcast seem calm, even if at times it wasn’t.
BBC South had three opt-outs over the course of the evening. The third broadcast was pre-recorded, straight after the choir, one of nine around the country, left. And then it was over. There was nothing left to do, except tear down and escorting the guests to the exit.
The Children in Need evening was one of the best experiences. Being part of a large-scale production is an unforgettable event. So why should you watch it? It’s important to raise awareness of the causes that the evening raises money for, and a lot of time and effort goes into the production of four minutes of television for you to enjoy.
What does it take to bring the programme to your living room? Well a lot of sweat, tears, planning, coordination, a team of camera operators and producers and directors, volunteers and fundraisers and bucket-loads of ingenuity. But most importantly the need to raise awareness to help the under-privileged children of this nation, that is why you should keep watching. It really does change lives.
If you want to donate to Children in Need follow this link: https://mydonatetelethonsappeals.bt.com/donate/cin2018/index.html Closes December 31 2018
