THE BBC Scotland Commonwealth Games Apprenticeship scheme has just entered its third year and in the week the latest ten candidates start for 2013-14, one of last year’s intake, Barry Shaw, writes about his ‘media day’.
He submitted this on Wednesday, September 10.
What exactly is it that you do?
I am currently the department runner at CBBC and Cbeebies, meaning I am available to all of the departments to work on a variety of shows and productions.
What did your working day today or yesterday comprise?
Both yesterday and today my department held auditions for a new CBBC series, ‘The Dog Ate My Homework’. Children from all over the UK were invited to take part in our new comedy panel quiz show, by playing wacky games and answering questions in lots of fun rounds. We also had over 20 comedians come in and audition too, so it was great to meet so many funny people. A very exciting show that I know will be a huge hit when it airs next year.
How different or similar is your average working day to when you started?
Massively different. People now know who I am, because of the exposure that the apprenticeship scheme gave me and because I spent 12 months working in every department across BBC Scotland. I think I worked with everyone in the building at some point.
As an apprentice, you have to find your feet and get used to the variety in content that each department make. So, at first, your workload is not as busy and hectic as it gets towards the end.
As the department runner at CBBC, I am available to the whole department so every day is different. I don’t really know what I’m going to be doing until I check my emails in the morning and see what each of the departments are doing.
From Nina and the Neurons, All Over the Place, The Dog Ate My Homework to Who Let The Dogs Out, I can find myself working on all these productions every day. It’s really exciting, I really enjoy it.
How do you see your job evolving?
I’m still at the start of my career, so it really has the potential to go anywhere but I knew that the apprenticeship would be a huge stepping stone to really give me the best start I needed.
I think the ultimate goal for me is to try my hand at working in comedy. I’ve always really loved the idea of working in comedy and entertainment, so I definitely see myself progressing there. I just need to use the same determination that I used to get into the apprenticeship scheme, and I’m sure I’ll get there.
What gives you the most job satisfaction?
Just knowing that something I have done has made a difference to the production or show that I’m working on at that time. If I am able to help create something that our audience love and it keeps them entertained then my job is done. It’s great to hear our audience’s feedback in person when they visit the BBC or when they take the time to write in to say what a great job we all do. That pushes me to keep doing my best.
