ITV Central Television Studios, Birmingham - Consolidation

On Monday 20th July 2009 Jean and I visited the ITV Central Television studios in Gas Street, Birmingham. Our aim was to achieve an 'atmosphere taster' of the 'live television studio' environment and gain valuable technical expertise to help us to write the 'on the casting couch' sessions in the book. These sessions are of course based in a theoretical television studio with a 'Richard and Judy' scenario and include the presenters, a celebratory guest, the studio audience and a viewers 'phone in'. I am delighted to report that we fully achieved our overall aims and objectives as well as experiencing a 'wonderful' visit.

We were introduced to the staff at the television centre and were able to view the planning phases as well as the practise and 'live' television transmission productions in the different studio environments.

As a consequence the visit also turned out to be a consolidation of the whole ideology of our book principles. Our subject matter relates to individual personal development and 'core' skills. These skills were abundantly evident and displayed by the 'team' that staff the ITV studios.

Everyone we met was totally confident in their personal and professional abilities. There was ample evidence of leadership, forward planning, allocation of priorities, team work, good manners and humour. Targets were set and achieved. Working relationships were established and the guidelines layed down. Professional expertise and etiquette was evident. Every single person in that working environment knew exactly what they had to do to achieve their individual tasking and many were confidently expected to multi task. Perfect timing was paramount. Even the practise film sessions prior to the live ‘element’ were treated with utmost respect by all the staff and the subsequent de-briefings were accurate and to the point. Worse case scenario procedures due to power failure and/or computer ‘glitches’ are also promulgated and briefed to all staff.

During the live transmission phase everyone involved in the procedures adopted a calm but positive work rate which combined to produce a totally professional performance. Overall, it was extremely impressive to watch.

Jean and I would sincerely like to thank all the staff at the ITV studios for our VIP welcome and visit. In particular we wish to personally thank Imelda Stevens, Louisa James, Lucy Kite and Laura Craig for a fabulous day.

E-Mail: DAVIDS0065@GOOGLEMAIL.COM
Jean Sinnett web link: WWW.JEANSINNETT.CO.UK