A spot of work experience
Okay, be warned, this entry is a long long long one, but full of fun experiences!
I was so nervous arriving in the morning, thinking I wouldn't really know anyone working on TOTP and would have a socially straining day. However loads of the crew had worked on the elections, so there were many familiar faces- hoorah! -my favourite lovely camera-man Paul was there so I had a friend, and made many more. A little odd when two camera man you only met that day come up to you, both throw their arms round your shoulders and start declaring that you're their new best friend.
I didn't really have any jobs for the day, so I observed the camera supervisor for a bit but was allowed to wander. I had lunch with the camera people and dinner with the floor manager. When buying lunch I saw Mark Speight and Kirsten from Smart, then Kirsten was in the lift with us, went to same food place with us and it turned out she knew Dave (camera supervisor) who I was with... nice lady, very short. Then when eating lunch, Paul O'Grady and the girl who plays Anthony's girlfriend in The Royle Family sat on the seats opposite us for their lunch. TOTP wasn't catered, damn!
I got the big headphones so I could hear what was going on in the gallery, felt all proper walking around with my clip-on talk-back box and headphones... specially coz I could hear Andi Peters chatting away up there.
Jay Sean was first to rehearse... what a twat! In between rehearsals him and his mate kept beat-boxing and generally showing off, grrr!
Then *swoon* McFly! hehe. When they came on stage to rehearse I was rather over-whelmed... they were so close, it was just like being front-row at a gig, but better! They rehearsed loads coz Beverly Knight was taking her time... I must've seen them play about 10 times in total these past couple of days. I didn't speak to them when they came off stage, too scared... bugger!
Beverly Knight has an amazing voice! The telly just doesn't do her justice, very entertaining.
Then some odd, crap, look like they've just been pulled off the street, american couple of girls did a pre-record that was bit poo.
Then we ran through the links that Tim and Fearne were doing, before a run-through of the whole show. This time I watched McFly so intensely that Tom gave me a little smile, Harry looked puzzled that I knew all the words and Dougie just looked at me. Danny came off stage coz his trousers were falling down and he needed more holes punching in his belt... I got an "Alright?" -yay! hehe.
I'd been chatting to the guy that rehearses with McFly for a while... he confirmed that Busted do play live (I'm sure someone requested I find that out). I went for a wander and when I walked back into BBC bumped into the sound supervisor I know, along with McFly rehearsals person and Danny. I asked Danny if he'd got his belt sorted out now and he showed the few extra holes, then excitedly started to dash for the TOTP studio because he was keen to see Anastasia rehearsing. I went with him, along with rehearsals man, and we stood watching her for about 1/2 hour, having a lil chat, finding out all about McFly and him and his meeting with Sharon and Kelly Osbourne recently at the Olympic torch show etc. He kept on about how fit Anastasia really was, but I have to admit, she's a very attractive lady... as is Fearne Cotton. He was terribly dissapointed when I told him the description of her act was 'Full Mime'. He tapped me on the shoulder saying "See you later... around here." *pointing to an area of the studio* and off he went. But I did see him straight after in the corridor.
During dinner they brought the bloody audience in... that was annoying, all hot with a distinct lack of clothing.
As I stood just outside the studio floor a couple of women bustled past... Dawn French and Jenifer Saunders, cool. After the dress rehearsal I followed McFly to find Danny again and he introduced me to Harry and Dougie... who recognised me from earlier, yay!
Then live show time! Exciting! I was 'cable-bashing' for the hand-held camera on Beverly Knight (just keeping wires out the way), then after a bit of VT,a camera-man I knew grabbed me, told me to take my headphones off and pushed me infront of the audience right next to Tim ready for the link to Jay-Sean. Hehe, I was on telly. All went quickly til end of show after that.
I wandered again for a bit before the audience were let out and found McFly to say goodbye to. Met Tom, who said he liked my earrings and Dougie (who's only 16!) is really sweet, he seemed so shy asking me if I'd enjoyed my work experience. Then off they went, all saying it was nice to meet me, Danny carrying the X-Box they'd been given as a pressie for doing the show! They had to get to their car before the screaming fans were unleashed. I waited by the doors of the building near their car and as they pulled away I waved and saw silhouettes of their hands through the tinted windows waving back.
Went back inside to see Anastasia performing with Dawn French as a sketch for the new French & Saunders series. Andi Peters was standing just beside me and turned round commenting on it to me "Wierd!" -I think he said. Then I spotted he had a bottle of water, I couldnt find them and was so damn thirsty so asked where he got it but he said he'd been holding onto it in the gallery for about an hour, but pointed to where it should be.... nice guy, gay apparantly.
Went to the TOTP star bar for a lil after party and spoke to a nice camera man I met that day who got me a TOTP t-shirt and was working on CDUK the next morning. I was saying how much I'd love to be doing that tomorrow when he said it shouldn't be a problem to put me on the VIP guest list! I asked my cousins who are down from Scotland at the mo if they'd like to go and he sorted out 3 passes for us... woo! Danny had said McFly were on that tomorrow, so I wanted to see them again.... and ofcourse get a feel for a different studio etc.
Lovely Paul gave me a lift home, and I had an early night ready for the unexpected CDUK trip.
That morning we just went to reception, said my name, got some special stickers and in we went... CDUK! I saw Harry (McFly) peering out of a door and went over to say hi. Him and Danny were there, and a little surprised to see me again as I hadn't planned to be there, but they recognised me and chatted a bit til their nasty manager shovelled them back in the door. We went in the studio a bit before audience coz of our special stickers and knowing a couple of camera men.
Cat Deeley appeared... she is soooo beautiful. Then McFly played, then Paul shoved me and my cousins into a link behind Cat so I was on telly again. She sprayed us with Peter Andre's new perfume, warning us to keep our mouths closed and afterwards asked us what we thought.. she was lovely, though quite short.
Saw McFly again... Dougie recognised me and Tom just about did. They had to release some balloons for a competition and accidently did it when it was just the rehearsal, so interesting to see how that was dealt with on live TV. Saw them one last time, got a picture with them and my cousin asked for their autographs (so embarrassing). Said how nice Dougie's earrings were... they really are beautiful. Got a big hug and kiss goodbye from Tom and Danny and a lingering finger-hold from Danny as I updated him on Anastasia and Dawn French's perfomance that he'd missed, which he liked the sound of. Then Mr.nasty manager herded them away again.
Saw Snow Patrol and Rachel Stevens and Will Young perform. We all had to sit on the floor for Will's version of Outkast's 'Hey Ya'... a lil odd, but good. Had lunch in the cafe with Snow Patrol sitting nearby and Will Young just round the corner, then later Ash were sitting around in there too. Also saw Matt Goss hanging around.
They filmed two shows, and though the audiences were swapped we stayed for both coz of our special stickers. We got to hang around the back of the studio with the camera people instead of always being in the crowd, thank goodness... so tiring!
Anastasia completed the line up so saw her mime again. I have to admit though, she really did get the crowd going, excellent at interacting with them (us). My cousin Alex was determined to get her autograph so we waited by the back entrance for her and got a piccy and autograph.
I said goodbye to the guy that got me on the VIP list and he said it should be fine to do again sometime, excellent! A little kiss on the cheek (very TV) and we left.
My cousins were so greatful for me getting them in. They're going to return the favour by having me stay in Glasgow with them and work as an usher or such like on a big open-air gig that they will prob be doing in September. (Their step dad organises such events) ...should be fun!
Okay, well, I think that's it from me for now. If you have managed to read all this... I'm extremely impressed, I doubt I would, thankyou! xx
I was so nervous arriving in the morning, thinking I wouldn't really know anyone working on TOTP and would have a socially straining day. However loads of the crew had worked on the elections, so there were many familiar faces- hoorah! -my favourite lovely camera-man Paul was there so I had a friend, and made many more. A little odd when two camera man you only met that day come up to you, both throw their arms round your shoulders and start declaring that you're their new best friend.
I didn't really have any jobs for the day, so I observed the camera supervisor for a bit but was allowed to wander. I had lunch with the camera people and dinner with the floor manager. When buying lunch I saw Mark Speight and Kirsten from Smart, then Kirsten was in the lift with us, went to same food place with us and it turned out she knew Dave (camera supervisor) who I was with... nice lady, very short. Then when eating lunch, Paul O'Grady and the girl who plays Anthony's girlfriend in The Royle Family sat on the seats opposite us for their lunch. TOTP wasn't catered, damn!
I got the big headphones so I could hear what was going on in the gallery, felt all proper walking around with my clip-on talk-back box and headphones... specially coz I could hear Andi Peters chatting away up there.
Jay Sean was first to rehearse... what a twat! In between rehearsals him and his mate kept beat-boxing and generally showing off, grrr!
Then *swoon* McFly! hehe. When they came on stage to rehearse I was rather over-whelmed... they were so close, it was just like being front-row at a gig, but better! They rehearsed loads coz Beverly Knight was taking her time... I must've seen them play about 10 times in total these past couple of days. I didn't speak to them when they came off stage, too scared... bugger!
Beverly Knight has an amazing voice! The telly just doesn't do her justice, very entertaining.
Then some odd, crap, look like they've just been pulled off the street, american couple of girls did a pre-record that was bit poo.
Then we ran through the links that Tim and Fearne were doing, before a run-through of the whole show. This time I watched McFly so intensely that Tom gave me a little smile, Harry looked puzzled that I knew all the words and Dougie just looked at me. Danny came off stage coz his trousers were falling down and he needed more holes punching in his belt... I got an "Alright?" -yay! hehe.
I'd been chatting to the guy that rehearses with McFly for a while... he confirmed that Busted do play live (I'm sure someone requested I find that out). I went for a wander and when I walked back into BBC bumped into the sound supervisor I know, along with McFly rehearsals person and Danny. I asked Danny if he'd got his belt sorted out now and he showed the few extra holes, then excitedly started to dash for the TOTP studio because he was keen to see Anastasia rehearsing. I went with him, along with rehearsals man, and we stood watching her for about 1/2 hour, having a lil chat, finding out all about McFly and him and his meeting with Sharon and Kelly Osbourne recently at the Olympic torch show etc. He kept on about how fit Anastasia really was, but I have to admit, she's a very attractive lady... as is Fearne Cotton. He was terribly dissapointed when I told him the description of her act was 'Full Mime'. He tapped me on the shoulder saying "See you later... around here." *pointing to an area of the studio* and off he went. But I did see him straight after in the corridor.
During dinner they brought the bloody audience in... that was annoying, all hot with a distinct lack of clothing.
As I stood just outside the studio floor a couple of women bustled past... Dawn French and Jenifer Saunders, cool. After the dress rehearsal I followed McFly to find Danny again and he introduced me to Harry and Dougie... who recognised me from earlier, yay!
Then live show time! Exciting! I was 'cable-bashing' for the hand-held camera on Beverly Knight (just keeping wires out the way), then after a bit of VT,a camera-man I knew grabbed me, told me to take my headphones off and pushed me infront of the audience right next to Tim ready for the link to Jay-Sean. Hehe, I was on telly. All went quickly til end of show after that.
I wandered again for a bit before the audience were let out and found McFly to say goodbye to. Met Tom, who said he liked my earrings and Dougie (who's only 16!) is really sweet, he seemed so shy asking me if I'd enjoyed my work experience. Then off they went, all saying it was nice to meet me, Danny carrying the X-Box they'd been given as a pressie for doing the show! They had to get to their car before the screaming fans were unleashed. I waited by the doors of the building near their car and as they pulled away I waved and saw silhouettes of their hands through the tinted windows waving back.
Went back inside to see Anastasia performing with Dawn French as a sketch for the new French & Saunders series. Andi Peters was standing just beside me and turned round commenting on it to me "Wierd!" -I think he said. Then I spotted he had a bottle of water, I couldnt find them and was so damn thirsty so asked where he got it but he said he'd been holding onto it in the gallery for about an hour, but pointed to where it should be.... nice guy, gay apparantly.
Went to the TOTP star bar for a lil after party and spoke to a nice camera man I met that day who got me a TOTP t-shirt and was working on CDUK the next morning. I was saying how much I'd love to be doing that tomorrow when he said it shouldn't be a problem to put me on the VIP guest list! I asked my cousins who are down from Scotland at the mo if they'd like to go and he sorted out 3 passes for us... woo! Danny had said McFly were on that tomorrow, so I wanted to see them again.... and ofcourse get a feel for a different studio etc.
Lovely Paul gave me a lift home, and I had an early night ready for the unexpected CDUK trip.
That morning we just went to reception, said my name, got some special stickers and in we went... CDUK! I saw Harry (McFly) peering out of a door and went over to say hi. Him and Danny were there, and a little surprised to see me again as I hadn't planned to be there, but they recognised me and chatted a bit til their nasty manager shovelled them back in the door. We went in the studio a bit before audience coz of our special stickers and knowing a couple of camera men.
Cat Deeley appeared... she is soooo beautiful. Then McFly played, then Paul shoved me and my cousins into a link behind Cat so I was on telly again. She sprayed us with Peter Andre's new perfume, warning us to keep our mouths closed and afterwards asked us what we thought.. she was lovely, though quite short.
Saw McFly again... Dougie recognised me and Tom just about did. They had to release some balloons for a competition and accidently did it when it was just the rehearsal, so interesting to see how that was dealt with on live TV. Saw them one last time, got a picture with them and my cousin asked for their autographs (so embarrassing). Said how nice Dougie's earrings were... they really are beautiful. Got a big hug and kiss goodbye from Tom and Danny and a lingering finger-hold from Danny as I updated him on Anastasia and Dawn French's perfomance that he'd missed, which he liked the sound of. Then Mr.nasty manager herded them away again.
Saw Snow Patrol and Rachel Stevens and Will Young perform. We all had to sit on the floor for Will's version of Outkast's 'Hey Ya'... a lil odd, but good. Had lunch in the cafe with Snow Patrol sitting nearby and Will Young just round the corner, then later Ash were sitting around in there too. Also saw Matt Goss hanging around.
They filmed two shows, and though the audiences were swapped we stayed for both coz of our special stickers. We got to hang around the back of the studio with the camera people instead of always being in the crowd, thank goodness... so tiring!
Anastasia completed the line up so saw her mime again. I have to admit though, she really did get the crowd going, excellent at interacting with them (us). My cousin Alex was determined to get her autograph so we waited by the back entrance for her and got a piccy and autograph.
I said goodbye to the guy that got me on the VIP list and he said it should be fine to do again sometime, excellent! A little kiss on the cheek (very TV) and we left.
My cousins were so greatful for me getting them in. They're going to return the favour by having me stay in Glasgow with them and work as an usher or such like on a big open-air gig that they will prob be doing in September. (Their step dad organises such events) ...should be fun!
Okay, well, I think that's it from me for now. If you have managed to read all this... I'm extremely impressed, I doubt I would, thankyou! xx