Brighton Lights: Team Work
Richard Shayler on what really goes on behind the scenes
How do they do it? What happens behind the scenes? Is it all live or pre-recorded? How come all their producers are just so dashed good-looking?! All very legitimate questions my dear readers, especially that last one!
This week I thought I’d delve in to some of these questions. Dissect the makings of some of our shows and explore the things that make our content so unique. That’s the most addictive thing about local TV, you really never know what you’re going to get. Sometimes it’s one-of-a-kind brilliance and sometimes it’s … well … interesting!
The news team have a tough old job. Headed up by the fantastic Tim Ridgway these guys have to produce between 6–8 individual news stories a day! One journalist will have to research stories, organise going to film them, set up an interview where possible, gain access to often restricted locations, script voiceovers and then edit the piece. They normally do 2–3 a day. Each!
This really is impressive; working to such tight deadlines and making it all look so slick. The news has got better and better. The news team even bagged an interview with some bloke called David Cameron the other day. Apparently he’s in the conservatory club or something. Must be from Worthing.
Latest TV’s flagship show Brighton Lights is always a rollercoaster of emotions. Four shows a week, eight guests, one band playing eight songs, live audience, animals, children, a functioning bar in the studio, 4–6 video inserts needing to be produced, filmed and edited each week and of course two presenters with huge riders! And all of this had to filmed on just one night.
The first time the team were told this there were screams of ‘impossible!’ and ‘you’re mad!’, a few ‘it’ll never work!’ and ‘we’ll be driven to drink!’ … many ‘we won’t have time’ and ‘what about the children?’ and a small amount of ‘please reconsider, please!’.
But persevere we did! Although, admittedly many of us have been driven to drink. However, this is mainly due to the fully functioning bar in the studio and not a consequence of the huge pressures of the show.
Brighton Lights is having a bit of time off right now. We’re reconceptualising the show – but we’ll be back! We’re going to make it much more community led and cover stories and entertainment relevant to our lovely city.
Then we’ve got great shows like You Make It We Show It, PostFeature, Cook It!, International Chef Exchange and Bookenders. These shows comprise cooking, local filmmakers showcasing their amazing talent, film reviews and book reviews. All these shows are excellent in quality and content. Go check them out if you get the chance. TV listings can be found in the back of this magazine or online at www.thelatest.co.uk. Then click on the magazine!
I could tell you more … but that’d ruin the magic. You’ll have to tune in to find out! Freeview Channel 8, Virgin Media channel 159 or live online @ www.thelatest.tv. See you on the box!
