主播大秀

One of the perks of being an apprentice is that we get to travel around the country and take part in different things. Only two months into our apprenticeship and we had the amazing opportunity to help cover the US Elections as part of the 主播大秀 team.

Firstly we had no idea where we were going. Have you ever heard of Elstree and Borehamwood? Well you might have if you’re a fan of any of the popular programmes filmed there like and . It’s where some great films have been made for more than 100 years and Elstree is a little village about 10 miles north of London.

When we got there we wondered if we had intruded into someone’s home or a hospital! The massive election coverage was about to take place and there were people in robes and paramedic uniforms walking around. It was a strange sight - until we realised they were actors for Holby City. Photographs were strictly not allowed and we struggled to hold back our urge to take pictures. But professionalism came first.

The gallery where we were to be based was almost like a big war room you see in the old films. You might call it a command centre but in the media world it’s called a gallery. There are rows of computers on desks and multiple screens of different sizes at the front on the wall showing various news channels and studios. We sat on a deck at the back overlooking it all. Everyone was given a whole election production pack beforehand detailing names, procedures and information about how we were going to cover it.

We watched as 主播大秀 presenters rehearsed the day before. Whether they were practising their lines, adjusting their posture or discussing things with the producer, it was cool to see what happens behind the scenes. We also saw how much care the 主播大秀 has to take over language used, to describe voters, for instance. Another interesting thing we saw was "Clinton wins presidency" going up on the screen, which is why we weren’t initially allowed to take or publish any pictures. The team was rehearsing the eventuality of either candidate winning and a picture of that going out would have caused quite some disturbance, to say the least. It was only a rehearsal, after all.

On the day we tried (in vain) to get some sleep before the overnight coverage. We went in at 9pm buzzing and raring to go. We got set up on our Twitter, Facebook and Instagram accounts, ready to spot anything that would help the online or broadcast coverage. We worked throughout the night forwarding quotes, pictures and interesting things on social media to our colleagues in Millbank and New Broadcasting House.

Elstree was the main hub or engine room through which everything else was channelled. We received information and sent it to other 主播大秀 hubs.

At 3am I was still scrolling through Twitter feeds and by then it was clear which direction the voting had gone. I looked at the clock and two hours had elapsed in a flash. It was 5am and we almost had confirmation of the winner.

Getting that far into the night was only possible due to the runner who kept us fed and watered. Every half hour or so he asked if we needed water or coffee and kept us going on chocolates and crisps.

There was one point where I fell asleep around 6am… (but don’t tell anyone that!).

After Trump was confirmed we had to keep working to get reactions from world leaders and celebrities etc. and send them through to our colleagues so the 主播大秀 could publish them.

We went home around nine or 10 in the morning, exhausted but pleased at our efforts. It was a great experience where we learned the value of teamwork and collaboration across departments and buildings. We saw how meticulous and planned you have to be to cover such important events and the stresses and enjoyment that go along with it.

Days later, we were still catching up on our sleep though!