Creating programmes

My name is Dean and I'm a participant on the 'My Future Goal' sport and employability programme run by Fulham FC Foundation. I was lucky enough to be one of the nine people selected to spend a day at the BBC going behind the scenes of The Matt Lucas Awards show as part of BBC Outreach’s ProgrammeMaker for a Day project. When we arrived at Elstree Studios, the Executive Producer and Assistant Producers came and spoke about the show and their own experiences of working in TV. They explained all of the aspects that go into the making of the programme and gave us the opportunity to ask questions. They also gave us some good tips on the various ways of gaining a career within TV. We were provided with two scripts that gave us some inspiration for the challenge that they had set - to create our own version of The Matt Lucas Awards. The producers then went back to work and we made a start on writing our very own script. Attempting this task highlighted how hard it actually is to make people laugh!

Before filming our own version, we were taken on a tour of the set and met various staff involved in making the programme. We were even lucky enough to meet the main star of the show, Matt Lucas himself! He was very friendly and even took the time to have a picture with us. During the dress rehearsal two people from our group were given the opportunity to see what goes on behind the scenes. I took this chance and was able to sit with one of the producers and the sound team. This gave me a great insight into the hard work needed to create a TV show.

After watching the dress rehearsal it was my turn to be in the spotlight as we recorded our very own version of the show which we had worked on earlier on in the day. Once we had finished filming we returned to the set and took our seats in the audience for the recording of the programe. This was it, the final product being created for broadcasting.

Overall, the day was an amazing experience and very inspiring. The day gave me a great insight into the TV industry and a realisation of how hard work and determination can get you a long way, especially for those who do not have a vast array of qualifications like myself. I am now considering working within TV as a career option, something I would never have thought of before today. Thanks to the BBC for this extraordinary opportunity.

*BBC Outreach’s ProgrammeMaker for a Day project is working with production teams to create a series of one day workshops, each focusing on a particular BBC programme. During the workshop, participants meet staff working on the programme and take part in activities designed to develop skills and confidence, before starring in and producing their own short version of the show. So far, workshops have been created about The Matt Lucas Awards, Eastenders and 60 Seconds, with more currently being planned. BBC Outreach is working with a number of partners in London to recruit participants.