Working on Generation Genome - Documentary

A little video I’ve made on set filming to show you a bit of what we’ve been up to!

Generation Genome is one of those projects that are almost impossible to explain to someone without launching into a monologue that they almost certainly didn’t ask for.

I try to tell people what exactly it is that I do in a similar vein. Safe to say at least - I’m doing my dream job. 

My two greatest talents as a child were making friends and asking questions, somewhere in growing up that manifested into me becoming a science communicator. 

I graduated from the University of Kent having studied Biomedical Sciences. At the same time, I created videos for young people about leaving school, writing applications, starting a career…

I also wrote a blog about fun stuff like COVID-19 and curing cancer using viruses.

I always saw myself one day creating videos for young people explaining the wonders of the world and the bodies we live in. 

I managed to one up myself and be involved in a documentary instead. 

In my last few months of university, I received an email advertising a vacancy at KMTV for a producer. With little professional experience, I applied and crossed my fingers.

I was given a humbling chance to use the knowledge of biology I have, and my love of video, to join this project and it has truly been one of the best experiences of my life so far. 

What is your genome? Why should you care? Those are the questions we’re trying to answer. In around 72 minutes. 

We start at a cellular level, and end with a myriad of ethical dilemmas that we are left with as a result of how nosy and clever we are. 

We have figured out so much about who we are, what makes us that way, how we could hijack the system and how it works for as well as often against us. 

But how much of that power should we use? Which parts of it should we use? When and how and with whose money? 

Children and scientists all over the UK have been pouring in their thoughts into the series and pouring out… are a myriad of experiences, opinions and answers that we are sharing with you. 

In a nutshell, that’s Generation Genome. 

My title is “Assistant Producer”, vague enough that  I can get away with a lot. 

Mainly my job is to think about what scientific points we want to hit, and find people and places that will fit that narrative. 

Sometimes I’m involved in the script writing, again thinking about specific points we want to get across, any questions we want to answer. 

Other days I’m on shoot in Bradford Central Mosque talking to an Imam about the muslim faith and their standpoint on genetic medicine. 

I have been heavily involved in the design and construction of the set, in the logo and branding. 

I’ve spoken to dozens of scientists, faith leaders and children about their lives and how and why genetics might be important to them.

It’s always somewhat a surprise to learn that the stuff you learn on paper actually manifests itself into people's lives in a major way.

I’ve learnt loads of stuff and made loads of mistakes. How do you book hotels and trains for trips and manage a budget and meet deadlines? 

I’ve learnt to talk to people at the top of their field, people of different faiths and political views and importantly, how to make them feel comfortable on camera if they aren’t already.

No two days are the same and I will definitely remember this project for a long time. I hope it’s the first of many!

Do let me know if you have any questions about the project!