I has a wonderful time a few weeks ago at the Scottish Athletics awards.
Correct, I was not up for any kind of award but I was providing the voice over for the event. Originally the plan was to pre record all of the inserts before the night, but on reflection (and a look at how much their was to say) I ended up doing it live.
I was hidden for most of the night at the back off the room, only getting out for dinner and a cup of tea. Cosied in between the sound desk and black theatre masking I nicked a small table from the foyer to place my water and script on.
Finishing work at a silly time and forgetting/passing out.
(A few videos are filmed in portrait. I'll claim this as a stylistic choice despite it actually just being me forgetting how to hold a phone.)
DAY 1- The Traveller Meets the Trip
It's fun being offered wine at 12:15 in the afternoon
I began the week on a Tuesday and managed to get on the first train travelling down south after the chaos and floods caused by Storm Desmond.
DAY 2- Rehearsal Day
Sorry Zoella and it totally is a ladies cardigan.
After meeting up with the team in the hotel bar, the next morning’s rehearsal began. We had a lot to get done, so finding a spare moment wasn’t easy.
DAY 3- SHOW DAY
Ok, it’s only a video of One Direction performing from stage side, but still...
I'm putting myself to shame by not actually having any more proper vlogging videos left.
The day began at around 6AM for me. I had a relaxed breakfast to myself before heading to site. We had a dress rehearsal before the full show, unlike the 2014 awards, it was being recorded for UK audiences to be shown later that day on BBC 1. However the event was also being beamed live around the world so the nerves were very much with us. Tapping on our shoulder every now and again.
This year I was looking after the BBC Concert Orchestra, a rather daunting prospect despite my previous experience of looking after large groups of musicians. I envisioned myself lugging around bags, briefcases and bassoons as well as chasing countless musicians to get them to stage in time for performance. This was not the case.
They’re a professional orchestra, of course they were easy to work with and a good laugh as well.
Oddly, my jacket had the pleasure of going down the red carpet twice while I only went once. It travelled with One Direction but not me to begin with, then Little Mix; I was in it that time.
The show appeared to go without any major issues, other than Rod Stewart jumping out of his skin! Not due to Celtic losing to Aberdeen, but the pyrotechnics - surely an emergency flare isn’t out of the ordinary when you’re Sailing…
No? Suit yourself.
Once it was over we put the stars in cars and dismantle the dressing rooms, followed by a quick team photo.
Then it was off to the bar for the after party!
The next day we had booked the early train back. Not sure whether this was a wise choice or not, but we made good use of the empty train carriage provided to us.
The largest community station in Scotland, Pulse 98.4 is based in an former janitor's house atop a hill in Barrhead and the first thing I noticed about it is that it has one of the best views of any radio station i've been to.
Looking out over renfrewshire and glasgow you can literally wave to your audience, they won't wave back but that probably because you just look like a stranger on a hill waving.
My 'partner in crime' Johnny and I have recently just gained a spot on tuesday evenings 10 till 12 PM. Clearly we aren't content with having to get up at 6 AM for a sunday show every week too. (Different station)
Johnny and I have been good friends and co-host's for a number of years now and we now almost always know what the other person is going to say, and like a lot of good partnerships the goal is just to make the other guy laugh. -A bit selfish where the audience is concerned, but I belive people listening really know when two people on air really get on. Programmes where this is not the case are abundant in the UK, due to the 'male host female co-host' syndrome we seem to have.
This new show on Pulse is unlike anything we've done before. Nothing I don't think we can rise to.. but something that will take a bit of time to settle. The people at pulse have been very helpful with this, particularly regarding style and removal of Falkirk/ Fife accent.
My most recent escapade was a trip with the BBC Experience to Sunderland as part of the SunderlandAir Show (Not 'Sutherland which i kept on accentually saying when people asked where it was. Nor was it Durham as my family insisted thats 'basically where I was going' )
"The Voice" Chair is a popular attraction at the experience. (Had to get a selfie)
I had never worked with on this project before so I was quite excited and had a great time! The day started just before ten and people never really stopped coming through the doors till we closed them. The Sunderlandonians we very welcoming, with one local remarking "you're too close to the equator for a ginger" after they witnessed me wincing in the midday sun. I was taken aback however by the resemblance one of my co-workers had to one of my good friends.. to the point were I was a little freaked out at just how spitting the image was.
Highlights:
Seeing Spitfires and other military aircraft in action.
Traveling and working with Sunana is always a hoot! (laugh a minute on the train)
Getting a hug from Elmo
Getting offered free carrier-bags by a woman on the Newcastle metro (presumably because she knows we pay for them in Scotland.)
