This week, we chat to Production Manager, Natalie Halls, who worked on this week's new ITV series, 'Cooking With The Stars' (Southshore)
Give us an insight into the making of the show?
Working on Cooking With The Stars was certainly challenging at times but being able to plan, put together and work on a huge studio show, especially during COVID, feels like a huge achievement. Whilst I’ve worked on a few cooking shows over the past couple of years, this was probably the biggest and required an immense amount of organisation and an epic amount of spreadsheets. This was the first fully ‘entertainment’ show that I have worked on, so getting my head around the ways and workings of this type of show was certainly different to anything I had done before.
What did you learn?
I learnt that it is possible to create great, entertaining TV no matter what is going on in the world around you! I also learnt the processes involved in filming a studio show including working with studio cameras and a full gallery setup and crew, having not had any experience of this before it has taught me so many skills and lessons that I can bring onto other shows in the future.
What was it like to work for the channel/production company that hired you?
South Shore are such a brilliant company to work for – having only been set up over a year ago, they are very open to ideas and suggestions from all their freelance staff and always go the extra mile to make everyone feel valued and cared for, no matter what your position within the company. Everyone is really approachable, and they are probably the most stylish production office that I have worked in!
How did you get the job?
I applied for the job after being forwarded an email from a friend where they were advertising for someone to PM a new studio cooking show. I have past experience with cooking shows so thought I would apply and the rest is history!
What is your top TV tip?
Try and stay calm, even when it seems like the world is crumbling down around you. There will always be a solution and there will always be a way around things.
'Cooking With The Stars' starts Tuesday 13th July, 9pm, ITV
If you are a Pro account holder, catch up on our webinar where we chat with Southshore MDs, Mel Leach & Andrew Mackenzie here.
