Getting a show like BBC2's The Speaker to our screens takes a long time. Someone who has seen much of the work first hand is Sean Kennedy (a member of London CommunicatorsToastmasters club and Programme Director for Jack Petchey's "Speak Out" Challenge, the World's biggest youth public speaking competition) Sean was the series consultant for The Speaker. He agreed to answer a few questions.
I remember turning on the TV a couple of years ago and saying - that's Sean! Is this when it all started? In a way. The BBC filmed some of the "Speak Out" Challenge events for an episode of The Culture Show which aired in March 2007. John Amaechi (one of the judges on The Speaker), interviewed by Simon Mayo on 5Live recently, said he been shown clips of young people at our contests two years ago.The clips were from the filming for The Culture Show which was used to pitch the idea of a bigger programme which turned into...The Speaker.
What has being series Consultant involved?With other staff from Speakerbank I've given general advice on the contest organisation and format. Specifically, once the 1000s of entries had been reduced to 600 I sat with the Producer to watch all 600 videos. From this the 160 young people were chosen for the Regional Finals that you've seen in the first two episodes.
I've also advised on judging criteria, helped briefing the judges and mentors etc. As the contest has progressed I've provided some behind the scenes advice to the contestants - particularly giving them tips when they started giving three minute speeches on a set topic. That was a tough stage for them!
How did the 140 who didn't get passed the Regional Finals cope? Obviously they were disappointed. But as part of the day trainers from Speakersbank ran workshops for them - before and after they'd competed. This was important to encourage them and give them some added value beyond the contest itself.
How do you expect the TV audience watching at home to respond? I hope the public will see the value of what's been done. The BBC wanted this to be about the learning process, not just entertainment. I hope that they will see it's a worthwhile project.
Will The Speaker have a wider impact in schools?Evidence from the "Speak Out" Challenge suggests that it will. Our survey of teachers and other information from schools tells us that GCSE English results (which includes speaking and listening assessments) have improved. Other exams such as Maths and Business Studies also include some presentation of ideas to a teacher or group so there is a knock on effect. In addition teachers tell us that "Speak Out" training increases overall participation in other school activities as young people's confidence and self-esteem grows. I hope this will be true for The Speaker too.
And finally, will all the Toastmasters watching learn something new? I'm sure we will. For example, there are fascinating tips from Alastair Campbell on persuasive speaking. Something I've noticed in Toastmasters' contests is that winning speeches increasingly include personal stories. There'll be lots to learn from Kate Silverton on crafting stories - something she has to do on the fly preparing news items. Deborah Meadon has watched large numbers of people presenting on The Dragons' Den and know a great deal about what's needed to be convincing. And of course Lord Spencer has important messages about how to make information clear, succinct and digestible.
Thanks Sean. We're looking forward to the next episodes of The Speaker 8pm BBC2 on Tuesday 14th and Wednesday 15th April 2009. Remember you can catch up via BBC iPlayer.
You can hear John Amaechi interviewed by Fi Glover on Saturday Live, Radio 4, 9am Saturday 11th April. Listen again at www.bbc.co.uk/radio4
Hear John Humphries interviewing Lord Digby Jones and 15 year old Benedict Townsend about The Speaker here.
