Access to Work Team Visits Emmerdale
Access to Work Team Visits Emmerdale
20th October 2008
The new Access to Work Virtual team responsible for broadcasting and film employees watched the crew of Emmerdale at work as part of a series of behind the scenes visits to TV and film sets organised by BCIDN.
They also spent time learning about post production from ITV Yorkshire's Head of Post Production Adrian Bleasdale, and met disabled staff working in the regional newsroom in Leeds, before watching the nightly news show Calendar from the gallery.
Access to Work team member Tony Bloor said, "All aspects of the afternoon visit to the studio were really useful - especially the meeting with Adrian Bleasdale who gave us an insight into how the Post Production work is carried out, and the chat we had with two of the employees."
Edith Mansfield also found the visit worthwhile: " I would like to thank yourself and all involved in arranging the day for us, I found if really useful and informative. I would also like to thank everyone who gave up time out of their busy day to give lots of background information. "
The team, based all over the country at JCP offices, were invited to take a closer look at TV processes and production techniques and met up with programme makers and broadcast staff. They have also been to the sets of two BBC children's productions, and watched a feature film being made in a visit organised by BCIDN member, UK Film Council.
One team member, Adrian Neads, joined the TV Process Training course at ITV. "It gave me a very good overview of how programmes come to be on our TV screens. I appreciate it is only scratching the surface, but it also showed me some of the numerous areas of expertise involved in the whole production process.
Vinnette Quarrie, based in Harrow spent a day at the BBC, observing the crews filming for CBBC. "Overall it was a worthwhile visit, though it would also have been useful to observe a disabled member of staff doing their job with the support they receive from Access to Work."
Further visits are planned in the coming months, and it is hoped the team will gain a greater understanding of how TV and film production works so that they are better equipped to advise disabled employees.