Life After Five - NFTS Blog

Sargent-Disc is proud to provide scholarship support to two Production Management students at the NFTS each year. About  a month after visiting this year's scholars on set for their first project at the school, Ewelina Dziedzic invited me to the filming of the live studio programme that she was the Production Manager for. 

Life After Five is a live panel show that runs over a week and is broadcast live at the NFTS, and also features on their youtube channel 

'One of the great things about the NFTS is that we are given the chance to learn through hands-on experience and try new things. I had never worked on a live studio programme before, so my excitement was mixed with my determination to learn as much as possible. Especially taking into account that our line-up was impressive: we had rising stars in music - Jo Jo O' & The Woods, renowned cake artist Cynthia Stroud, writer Jason Arnopp with his newly published book 'Ghoster' and Thomas Ralph, reviewing an immersive theatre experience 'The Hunt for The Smoking Caterpillar'.

Working on the 'Life After Five' programme as a PM allowed me to see how a television programme is produced, from developing ideas, looking for contributors, through to preparing running orders, camera plans and the script. From the Production Manager's point of view, it was interesting to better understand the differences in contracts, call sheets, and risk assessments between film and television. Participating in the Technical Planning Meeting was also a valuable experience, but for me, the best part was the actual recording day. Being part of the crew working at the studio, watching rehearsals, checking on contributors and the crew gave me a great insight into workflow between departments and the timing needed for each activity.'

(Top row, left to right: Director Dominika Lapinska watches on in the gallery, the crew check on progress of the live programme from the gallery)

(Middle row, left to right: The presenters introduce the 'Life After Five' show and discuss Jason Arnopp's latest novel 'Ghoster')

(Bottom row, left to right: 'Life After Five' set design, behind the scenes watching Jo Jo O' & The Woods)

'Our crew and contributors were terrific, and I couldn't have been happier in working with them. They were all extremely professional, kind and helpful, and watching students learning from the Professionals was exceptional. I always thought that sharing knowledge is the most beautiful and challenging part of a career and at the NFTS, we are lucky to be surrounded by people who are so willing and generous in sharing their experience.

Watching the programme going live was as nerve-wracking as it was exciting, and I am proud of everyone that made it happen. I would like to thank everyone for their contribution, especially Breanne Krause, Dominika Lapinska and Holly Androlia (Producer, Director and Production Manager working on the show), David Croft (Head of TV Department), and Tina Jaffray (PM Tutor) alongside with Bex Hopkins (Head of Production Management) who tirelessly supported us along the way. Last but not least, I would like to thank Emma Hicks from the Marketing Department at Sargent-Disc who found time to come and support us and watch the show live at the studio, making this experience even more special.'

 (Cast & Crew behind the scenes of Life After Five)