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Students get "Bieber Fever" on trip to Radio 4
4th March 2011
As I approached the paparazzi I was nervous because of all of the negative images that flashed through my mind. In answer to my enquiry as to who they were waiting for, one smiled and told me that there was a rumour that Justin Bieber would be arriving later in the morning.
My reason for being at the BBC’s Maida Vale studios was not to brush with a celebrity. The trip was as an addition to this year’s media and journalism course at college; five students had this opportunity and the original intention of the trip was to watch a play being recorded and have a sneak peek around the studio, but the actual events of the day escalated significantly.
After an early start we arrived in London at approximately 10.30 am, and made our way to the studios. We were all given badges at the front reception, and as we scanned the table for our names, the rumours were confirmed as we noticed a badge bearing the name of a young Canadian popstar. We were then greeted by Matilda James, a BBC drama producer, who led us underground to where radio drama “Believe Me” was being recorded. The two actors were the other side of a large glass window and the room which we were in was full of high-tech sound effects equipment. Our tour guide arrived and asked us to follow him down the corridor. We silently left the studio and as we walked down the corridor he revealed that we were going to witness a “top secret” interview, to listen to the interview please click here.
We entered another studio, where there were two large bodyguards leaning against the wall. A woman (assumed to be Bieber’s PR manager) asked what we were doing there and our tour guide replied that we were just viewing the studios. I looked to my left and through the one way glass was Fearne Cotton chatting to Justin Bieber. Three technicians were checking the sound, camera angles and Radio 1 website to ensure that all was running smoothly. As the technicians joked with each other and Bieber’s team, we gazed in awe of this unexpected experience. The interview was based around his fans and how fame has affected his social life now that he is no longer an average teenager. In Bieber’s interview he stated that he wants to be a “positive role model by making good decisions”.
We returned to watch the rest of “Believe Me” being recorded and then were invited to have a tour of the set where many ‘tricks of the trade’ were revealed. As we toured the other studios, we saw Radio 1’s Live Lounge, a plaque dedicated to the Beatles and even a radio game show set. We then met with the job application team who told us what was necessary in order to get a career with the BBC. Their most important piece of advice is that, when applying, ensure that you only include relevant achievements. Overall, the trip to the Maida Vale studios was not only an amazing opportunity, but was informative and inspirational as well.