Film wins Dan tour of news studios

From the Eastbourne Herald

Published Date: 30 April 2009
A TEENAGE film-maker was given the chance to tour BBC South East after his firefighter film was shown at a media festival last year.

Dan Dunbar, a 15-year-old Willingdon Community School pupil from Polegate, created a short film entitled What Happens When You Call 999 which follows an emergency through its stages, focusing on the fire and rescue service's actions. It was shown at 2008's Sound Architect (Music and Film) Ltd film and media festival but funding constraints meant no-one won a prize for best film. Instead, organisers contacted the BBC to arrange an evening tour of its Tunbridge Wells studios.While there, Dan met editors, producers and presenters, learning how to edit a news story, broadcast live on the radio and create a weather forecast.He said, "For me, the most interesting and best part was watching the BBC news going out live in the gallery, where it all happens."Within the gallery the whole show is controlled, from the sound levels, lighting, video and effects to where it is being directed from."I found out there is someone making sure that all the timings are correct, as it cannot be a second over or under.