How did Gogglebox become a reality TV smash hit? What is life like after Strictly Come Dancing? Just how do you get a job in TV? There are many exciting things to learn at the Radio Times Festival…

Come to the Radio Times Festival this September (25th–27th) and you’ll get the inside story on how your favourite TV shows are made – including hits like Doctor Who, Poldark, Gogglebox, Call the Midwife and many more.
So many more, in fact, that we have compiled a helpful guide to all the things you’ll be able to learn over three exciting days of coming face-to-face with broadcasting’s most talented people.

Tickets can be purchased here

Friday, 25th September 2015
1. How Doctor Who is made (Doctor Who, 2.30–3:30pm)
Doctor Who holds a unique place in British popular culture. Here, the Doctor himself, Peter Capaldi, is joined by creative chief Steven Moffat and executive producer Brian Minchin to talk Time Lords, Daleks and Cybermen. Together, they will reveal the inner workings of the Whoniverse.
2. The creative process of Russell T Davies (Russell T Davies, 4:00–5:00pm)
From busting social taboos with dramas such as Queer as Folk and Channel 4’s Cucumber to inspiring the reboot of Doctor Who, Russell T Davies is one of Britain’s most innovative screenwriters. Here he explains how he made the journey from Swansea schoolboy to leading creative voice.
3. What it’s like to have your novel adapted for screen (From page to screen: Shetland, 1:00–2:00pm)
Bestselling author of the Shetland novels Ann Cleeves describes how her work was adapted for television, while Douglas Henshall (detective Jimmy Perez) talks us through the actor’s experience. They, executive producer Elaine Collins and producer Eric Coulter take us behind the scenes of the BBC1 hit.
4. How to bake bread like a Great British Bake Off master (Paul Hollywood Unbaked, 4:00–5:00pm)
Great British Bake Off judge Paul Hollywood talks all things baking, from bread to baps, and from choux to shortcrust and stollen! Giving advice and sharing tips and tricks, he also lets us in on the projects he’s got coming up next.
5. The science of Doctor Who (Simon Guerrier & Dr Marek Kukula: The Scientific Secrets of Doctor Who, 4:00–5:00pm)
Join Simon Guerrier and Dr Marek Kukula, authors of The Scientific Secrets of Doctor Who, as they explore the possibilities of time travel, life on other planets, artificial intelligence, parallel universes and more. Using clips from the acclaimed series, they will show how science has inspired Doctor Who, and how, on occasion, it has come remarkably close to predicting future discoveries.
6. How the team behind Wolf Hall created a hit (Wolf Hall: Peter Kosminsky, 5:30–6:30pm)
Hilary Mantel’s magisterial inspiration, a multimillion- pound budget and the cream of Britain’s acting talent on board, the team behind the BBC’s Tudor epic Wolf Hall created a masterpiece. Series director Peter Kosminsky talks us through a journey that culminated in the show being labelled by the press the greatest period drama ever made. He will be joined on stage by cast members, to be confirmed later.
7. The enduring legacy of Silent Witness (Silent Witness, 7:00–8:00pm)
As Silent Witness approaches its 20th anniversary, key figures from the show that brought forensic science to
a mass audience take us inside the pathologist’s laboratory. Emilia Fox, who plays Dr Nikki Alexander, will be joined on stage by the show’s forensic pathology adviser, Dr Stuart Hamilton, and scriptwriter Ed Whitmore, as they show you how to catch a killer.
8. How Gogglebox became the king of reality TV (Gogglebox, 8:30–9:30pm)
People thought Channel 4 were mad to schedule a primetime show made up of ordinary members of the public watching TV. But Gogglebox has become one of the channel’s biggest hits and won a Bafta in 2014. Co-creators and producers Tania Alexander and Stephen Lambert will tell us how such a simple format became a ratings smash, and they’ll be joined by the show’s Mary and Giles. Chaired by Andrew Collins, RT film editor.
Saturday, 26th September.
9. How to become a TV critic (Spoiler alert! How to watch TV for a living, 11:00am–12 noon)
TV editor Alison Graham, deputy David Butcher and RT’s Choices writers share a few secrets of the previewer’s art. Is getting paid to watch television all day as cushy as it sounds?
10. How to get a job in TV (Bafta: How to get into TV, 2:30–4:00pm)
A panel of the hottest emerging TV writers, producers and directors will discuss their professional journeys so far and how they got their big break, and share the secrets of their success. Panellists include Regina Moriarty, writer of the Bafta-winning Murdered by My Boyfriend (and Bafta Television Craft Breakthrough Talent Nominee 2015), and Marcel Mettelsiefen, director and cinematographer of the double Bafta-winning Children on the Frontline (and Bafta Television Craft Breakthrough Talent Nominee (2015).
11. The success of Call the Midwife (Call The Midwife, 6:30–7:30pm)
Blockbuster Sunday night series Call the Midwife is one of only a handful of shows to pull in more than ten million viewers on a weekly basis. As the heart-warming midwifery tale moves further into the 1960s, Jenny Agutter, who plays Sister Julienne, will lift the lid on the forthcoming fifth series. Alongside her will be the show’s executive producer, Pippa Harris, and writer Heidi Thomas.
Sunday, 26th September 2015
12. How to dance like Strictly Come Dancing’s Robin Windsor (Ballroom Dance Masterclass with Robin Windsor, 11:00am–12:30pm)
Ballroom dancer and four-time Strictly Come Dancing professional Robin Windsor leads an exclusive ballroom dance class for beginners. If you want to learn from the man who taught Lisa Riley to foxtrot and Deborah Meaden to quickstep, this is your chance. Please note, places are limited.
13. What makes presenting legend Sir Bruce Forsyth tick (Sir Bruce Forsyth, 12 noon–1:00pm)
A Knight of the Realm, Bafta Fellow and holder of the Guinness World Record for the longest career of any male TV entertainer, Sir Bruce Forsyth needs no introduction. Appearing as he publishes Strictly Bruce, a collection of rare pictures and stories, the original Strictly host will share anecdotes and take questions about his eight decades on stage and screen.
14. How the team behind Marvellous made one of 2014’s best dramas (Neil Baldwin: Simply Marvellous, 1:00–2.00pm)
Bafta-winning Marvellous was the feel-good film/drama of 2014, telling the charming tale of Neil “Nello” Baldwin, whose incredible life has seen him join the circus, sip sherry with royalty, and serve as kit man for his beloved Stoke City. Neil will be on hand to give his life story in his own words, and will be joined by Marvellous writer Peter Bowker and executive producer Patrick Spence.
15. What life is like after Strictly Come Dancing… (Life After Strictly, 2:00–3:00pm)
Join our star-studded celebration of the BBC ratings juggernaut. One Show presenter and former Strictly contestant Alex Jones joins a gaggle of the show’s most memorable alumni (including astrologer Russell Grant, TV Dragon Deborah Meaden and Strictly pro Robin Windsor) to reflect on their time on the dance floor, from backstage gossip to their favourite on-screen moments. You’ll also hear their verdicts on the stars of the forthcoming series…
16. The behind a book being adapted for television (From page to screen: Grantchester, 2:30–3:30pm)
The acclaimed author of The Grantchester Mysteries, James Runcie, will be joined on stage by the team behind the camera of ITV’s hit drama adaptation, Grantchester. In a thrilling insight into the TV adaptation process, James and the team will guide us through the intricacies and challenges of realising a novel and its characters on the small screen. Peppered with insights and anecdotes, this session will tell us about the latest book in the series and what we can expect from series two of Grantchester on ITV.
17. How BBC smash-hit Poldark was made (The Making of Poldark, 3:30–4:30pm)
Whether it’s down to Aidan Turner’s rippling torso or Cornwall’s rugged coastlines, Poldark is the undisputed television smash hit of the year. Get the inside story of
the BBC series from executive producers Karen Thrussell, Damien Timmer and Debbie Horsfield, the writer responsible for turning Winston Graham’s novels into sparkling scripts. Leading members of the cast will also attend (to be announced). Joining them will be Andrew Graham, whowill talk about his father’s writing, including the book Poldark’s Cornwall, which is about the other star of the show — the beautiful county of Cornwall itself.

News Source: Radio Times