During my visit to the BBC, I was
amazed how big the newsroom was. I met Katrina Shearer who is a
reporter on Reporting Scotland and Daniel who is head of all the
news reports. He explained to me how the news stories are
constructed to capture the public's attention. He told me that
presenting on TV and radio are very similar.
I then met the head of the
presentation department called Peter who explained how the systems
they use to broadcast programmes work. I went into the BBC2
continuity studio where I met Tony Currie who I really admire. He
explained how all the operating systems work and let me try some of
the equipment used to announce titles of shows, info about shows
and what's coming up next on the programme schedule. I even got to
use the microphone to hear myself, as I would sound on TV. I hope
to become a radio or TV presenter in the future and this visit has
given me a taste of what it would be like to work for the BBC. I
will be returning to the BBC to work with an editor in the newsroom
who is also blind. It will be great for me to work with someone who
has the same disability as me and will be able to explain to me how
he manages to complete his work.
I was very excited when Pat Brown
told me he had managed to arrange a special visit to STV studios
with the help of Andy Kerr. I most wanted to meet John McKay as he
is my favourite news reporter. I listen to his news reports every
night. Andy took Pat and I in his very posh car. I told Andy that I
didn't know the Chief Executive of Sense Scotland was a chauffeur
too! When we arrived I met Gordon MacDougall who is the producer of
STV news. I got to meet Bernard Ponsenby who is the political
editor for STV news and Raman Bardwadge who reads the sports news
on the evening bulletin. Then came the moment I was waiting for.
John McKay came over and introduced himself to me. I told him that
he was my top, favourite news reporter. We had a long discussion
about school as it turns out the head of the VI unit at my school
was John's PE teacher.
John took us over to a computer so
he could show us the scripts for that day and let me feel the
earpiece he wears during the broadcast which is made from a mold of
his own ear so that it fits well. Pat, Andy and I went to the
gallery with the production crew. The gallery is where all the
behind scenes work is done. We were able to listen and watch if you
can. to the live broadcast being filmed.
Afterwards I was taken through into
the newsroom itself and got to sit in the actual chair at
the actual desk where John sits during broadcasts. I had
photographs taken with John and I had some taken earlier with
Bernard and Raman. John kindly gave me his autograph, which he
signed on a copy of the news script foot that day. It was a
fantastic visit and I loved learning more about how newscasts are
made. Everyone made me feel welcome and John was very sociable. He
also has a great sense of humour. I would like to thank everyone
who helped make this visit possible and maybe one day it might be
me who you see sitting in that chair!