Blast

Diary Part 1: 23rd July 

My first day at the office included lots to learn and many people to meet.

Find out what I did and what my plans are for the coming weeks…

As I arrived for my first day at the BBC offices I have to admit I was pretty nervous, but everyone made me feel very welcome and I knew a couple of people from previous meetings which helped.

Firstly I was shown the internal system, which I could browse around to get the gist of what BBC Tees cover and what their listeners want.

I was given a log in, thanks to the IT team, so I was able to access my own files and save things under my name.

Having been briefly shown how features are written, I then was able to see how the sports news bulletin was put together and broadcast, very technical but very interesting to watch.

Over the next few weeks I will be shadowing the work done by the sports team and hope to include accompanying them to Boro matches, going to interviews and also contributing any local sports stories which will be of interest.

I have some busy but exciting weeks ahead of me, but will keep you posted on what I get up to!

Diary Part 2: July 31st

After making a few phone calls and sending some e-mails, I was able to arrange an interview with a local swimmer who had just competed in the European Youth Olympics in Belgrade. She had done extremely well so I thought it would make a great first story.

This was my first time doing a proper interview and also using a flash mic. I was quite nervous, but managed to get my way through the questions.

Once I had thanked my guests for coming, I was able to take the interview off the flash mic and edit it for broadcast.

I enjoyed doing this, as it felt like my own interview and I was able to edit out all the bits I didn’t want, like my stuttering and all the errrrmms!

Diary Part 3: August 7th

This week I went to a Middlesbrough football match, it was a friendly against the Dutch team AZ Alkmaar.

I was able to see how the commentary was broadcast and how connections needed between the touchline commentator, main commentator and the studio worked.

This was a great experience and having a media pass with access to the press office made it more exciting.

Having experienced what happens on match days at the stadium, I then spent the day in the studio while coverage of the first Boro match of the season was being played.

I was shown how to put together commentary packages which was quite complicated at the beginning but I soon got used to which highlights I should be listening out for.

Next week I will hopefully do more interviews and begin researching my Olympic story for the region. 

Diary Part 4: August 14th

I was able to go down to a sport festival this week, to see how an organisation is trying to involve young people to playing more sport. I did some interviews and met lots of interesting people.

The Deputy Major of Stockton attended so I was able to get a few words from him, which was great. Hopefully I will be writing these interviews up as a feature, which will be available online.

Next week I have a meeting with the managing director of Tees Active to ask questions about developments for the 2012 Olympics and see if he knows of any up and coming athletes.

Diary Part 5: August 28th

This week I created a feature about the Street Games organisation for online content, this was really good as I actually had some of my work up on the website.

I also went to interview the managing director of Tees Active to get some information about how they are helping local athletes in the area. This information will be very useful for my Olympic piece.

Diary Part 6: September 4th

I began creating my Olympic story this week, with interviews I had previously done and also set up a phone interview with the regional director of Sport England to get her views on how the North East will be effected by the Olympics.

I was also able to go down to the Tees Water sports centre to do some interviews with people about how good the facilities are. I will hopefully be able to make another feature for online with the information I received.

Diary Part 7: September 11th

My final week at BBC Tees! The 8 weeks has flown by, but I hadn’t finished yet…
I went with the sport reporter to a press conference at the training ground for Middlesbrough FC as they signed 2 more players. This was great to see as I got to see how the process worked and took photos for the event.

My radio package for the Olympic also got played out on the Team Talk programme which was great to hear.

As my placement draws to an end, I have to say it was a great experience and thanks to all who have helped me over the weeks!