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Producer's diary: Semi attached |
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Written by Administrator
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Saturday, 24 May 2008 |
BBC Eurovision producer Helen Tumbridge encounters pirates and the BBC Three team in her report from the first semi-final day
"This afternoon was the third dress rehearsal of the first semi-final and the evening saw the actual first semi-final of the Eurovision Song Contest. I do hope you're keeping up.
BBC Three are covering the two semis. Sterling work from presenters Paddy O'Connell, Caroline Flack and the team. While the rest of us have been rehearsing and making friends, the BBC Three team has been working its little socks off running round the city, filming reports, writing scripts and editing films.
Producer Andrew gave me a shopping list and sent me on a mission to find a stop watch, paper, glue, water, paper cups and something for a sore throat. Relishing the adventure, I went to the local hypermarket and did my very best impression of a Brit aboard not knowing the language. I think my running on the spot while miming a stop watch was rather good, and well worth three years of drama school.
Back at the arena, and rehearsals were in full swing. The production is amazing. I have to give full credit to RTS, they really are putting on an impressive show. The time, energy, thought and effort that's gone into it is obvious, and it's making all our lives so much easier.
Come semi-final time proper, Caroline and Paddy were in commentary position, Andy and the band were back in the audience and the show began. How I love Eurovision. Nothing makes the hairs on the back of my neck stand up more than the opening dum dum dum de dum of Te Deum and the EBU logo.
BBC Three had interviews from Andy, while my task for the evening was to get Sweden and Latvia into the commentary box for a live chat. Sweden is represented by the blonde Scandinavian media darling Charlotte Perrelli, while, for those that don�t know, Latvia are a load of people dressed as pirates. The Swedes were horrified to be confronted by the Pirates of the Sea. There was a tense moment, some whispering in Swedish, but Paddy, charming to the end, brought the two nations together. How very Eurovision. Now how about the pirate look for breakfast tomorrow?"
Helen x
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