Filming at the Royal Melbourne Show

Posted by Belinda - Social Media Manager

It's not that hot today but muggy and a little windy at the Melbourne Showgrounds.  Liza is ill so Libby has kindly taken her place for the day.

Filming at the Advance Dog Pavilion

The Showgrounds are so big it takes forever to walk from the Advance Dog Pavilion with our filming equipment to the showbags building where we hope to find the 3AW booth.  Liza had heard that 3AW were interviewing kids at the Show, and asked us to see if they would agree to interview Alexia so we could film it for Yappy Hour TV.  And to promote the show to 3AW listeners.

Well okay, Liza, hopefully Roger won't mind staying back an extra 30 minutes.  We find the booth with a couple of young women out the front handing out pamphlets.  It's Magic 1278 broadcasting today, not 3AW.  Hmm, not sure who we should ask about interviewing Alexia.

Roger tells me to ask the young woman out the front, since she's wearing a Magic 1278 shirt.  I tell her about 3AW's interviews with kids and ask her if we could arrange something like that with Magic instead.

She tells me Magic have a programme which is preplanned and she's not sure if they include interviews with kids.  Ok then.  Roger looks at me and says "Well maybe not then...?"  Alexia looks worried.

"Is there a producer that maybe we can talk to?"  I ask the young lady.  She doesn't really respond and gives me a look which is not encouraging for us. 

"Oh well thanks anyway, we'll just wait here for our colleagues to catch up with us," I say to her.  I guess it's a bit much for us to just turn up and ask for a live on-air interview there and then.

Yappy and Libby

We see Yappy and Libby in the distance, who are stopping frequently to pose for photos and hugs with children.  Yappy is amazingly, astoundingly popular here at the Show.  Then I see the young woman talking to the announcer inside the Magic 1278 booth, and she is glancing at us.

I bring Alexia inside the booth, give Libby's business card to the announcer and introduce Alexia to him.  He agrees to interview her, and they agree to let us to film them talking, with Yappy next to them inside the booth.

OMGOMGOMGOMG!

I am blown away by the friendliness and generosity of the Magic 1278 announcers for being such good sports.  Libby and I watch the interview from outside and every time Ric Ditchburn mentions Yappy Hour TV we squeal and jump up and down with excitement.  The other male announcer Kevin John comes out and tells us "But it's only radio!"  to which we reply "But we don't care!!!"

Alexia is very natural and quick thinking when interviewed, and even thanks the announcer at the end.  She is a true professional at age 10!  When filming has finished we thank the Magic 1278 team and pack up our things.  Alexia is fooling around with the Yappy costume and Roger is taking smartphone pics of her like any proud Dad.

Libby has sore feet and I'm knackered, but I'm really proud we got to film Alexia being interviewed today.  Yappy Hour TV is Liza's dream, and sometimes all you have to do is go out and ask someone to make your dreams come true.

Alexia being interviewed live on Magic 1278, with Ric Ditchburn and Yappy.

Special thanks to Jane Holmes, Kevin John and Ric Ditchburn from Magic 1278