Broadcast Tech Fest 2020, Day 1: Watch Now

Chapter markers

Session #1: In conversation with Tania Alexander. 0:05-22:16

Session #2: Producing in Lockdown: Broadcaster panel. 22:17-1:03:24

Session #3: Producing in Lockdown: Post-production panel. 1:03:25-1:49:18

Session #4: Producing in Lockdown: Studios panel. 1:49:19-2:28:14

Session #5: Producing in Lockdown: Producer panel. 2:28:15-3:04:51

Session #1 – In conversation with Tania Alexander

Studio Lambert director of factual entertainment Tania Alexander shares exclusive insights with Broadcast Tech editor Jake Bickerton about how the production of Channel 4’s Gogglebox continued despite a series of challenges posed by the pandemic.

Session #2 – Producing in lockdown: Broadcaster panel

Pictured (L-R): Chris Curtis, Mohammed Akhlaq, Morwen Williams, Katherine Gumeniuk

Speakers

Mohammed Akhlaq, chief technology officer, ITN

Morwen Williams, head of UK ops, BBC News

Katherine Gumeniuk, senior director, Sky Sports

Chair Chris Curtis, editor in chief, Broadcast

An enlightening discussion about how different broadcasters responded to the Covid-19 crisis. The session focuses on how, almost overnight, all broadcasters were forced to establish new, complex remote production operations, and find new ways to create compelling content in the most challenging of circumstances.

Session #3 – Producing in lockdown: Post-production panel

Pictured (L-R): Jake Bickerton, Emma Butt, Zeb Achonu, Aidan Farrell, Olly Strous

Speakers

Emma Butt, ADR recording and sound editor, freelance

Zeb Achonu, TV/film editor, freelance

Aidan Farrell, senior colourist and head of grading, The Farm Group

Olly Strous, director of post production, ITN

Chair Jake Bickerton, editor, Broadcast Tech

Hear how post facilities and freelance operators had to overhaul their services and ways of working the moment lockdown hit. The panel also discusses the longer-term impact of the pandemic on the post-production sector and how new hybrid workflows are being established to enable more flexible working environments for clients and staff.

Session #4 – Producing in lockdown: Studios panel

Pictured (L-R): Heather Fallon, Andy Waters, Cara Sheppard, John O’Callaghan, Roger Morris

Speakers

Andy Waters, head of studios, Dock 10

Cara Sheppard, managing director, Twickenham Studios

John O’Callaghan, operations director, BBC Studioworks

Roger Morris, managing director, Elstree Studios

Chair Heather Fallon, media researcher, Commissioner Index

This session discusses how studios have coped with the sweeping changes demanded by the return to production post-lockdown. What do the new procedures for filming on-set mean for clients? How will the requirement for social distancing and the practicalities of this impact the business model of studios?

Session #5 – Producing in lockdown: Producer panel

Pictured (L-R): Alice Redman, Chris Jones, Jan Younghusband, Erron Gordon, Richard Frediani

Speakers

Chris Jones, head of branded content, Electric Robin

Jan Younghusband, head of commissioning, music TV, BBC

Erron Gordon, series director for Good Morning Britain and Peston, ITV

Richard Frediani, editor, BBC Breakfast

Chair Alice Redman, senior media researcher, Commissioner Index

With workflows transitioning to remote working as soon as lockdown came into effect, this panel investigates how production companies were able to complete projects and continue working on their slate of productions. What content was created and how did technology enable this to happen, and what were the best examples of lockdown productions? The panel also discusses how the production industry will be able to get back on track again over the coming year.