Year 12 pupils with an interest in television production and politics were invited to go behind the scenes with the crew of BBC Question Time as they set up in preparation to record an episode of the programme in the Grammar School’s Hodson Hall.
The crew consisted of camera operators, sound engineers, lighting technicians, and producers, who gave pupils in Year 12 an insight into the roles and responsibilities of a TV crew. The pupils were each assigned a camera operator or member of the production crew to learn from. They were shown how to pan and zoom with the cameras, test out the headphones to hear the audio and radios of other members of the crew, and were given advice on where to look for media opportunities.
Year 12 pupil, Megan who is interested in drama, news channels and wants to go into broadcasting described it as an “unforgettable experience.” Megan said: “It’s different to be behind the camera and see the work that goes on behind the scenes. All that goes into a production, it’s a lot of pressure and you don’t realise what happens.”
The opportunity for pupils to see a television crew in action gave them a glimpse into what a media career could look like and highlighted the wide range of roles that are involved in getting a show on-air.
The BBC Question Time episode recorded at Loughborough Grammar School aired on BBC One at 21:00 on Thursday 20 November.
