What it takes on the day.
The practical version, for whoever is building the schedule.
The sequence
- 01
Brief
Tell us the format, the dates and who is being tested. We will say straight away whether the case is suitable — before it reaches a call sheet.
- 02
Clearance
We supply insurance, credentials and our contributor welfare policy in a form your compliance team can sign off.
- 03
On the day
The examiner arrives with the instrument, wires the contributor up properly, and runs the questions you agreed. Real kit, real examiner, on your schedule.
- 04
On camera
The examiner delivers the moment on camera and can talk the audience through what the instrument is doing. No written report — this is entertainment, not evidence.
What we need
- Booking slots
- Two hours minimum, or half and full days for shoots with several contributors. Full days are usually better value if you are running more than three.
- Lead time
- A week is comfortable and a couple of days is often possible. Ask even if it is tomorrow — we would rather say no quickly than have you not ask.
- Space
- A room the contributor and examiner can work in without through-traffic. Table, two chairs, and somewhere for the camera if it is going on screen.
- Time per contributor
- Around 45 minutes to an hour including wiring up and running the questions. Faster than most producers expect.
- Kit and power
- The examiner brings their own instrument and laptop. One standard socket. Nothing else required.
- Filming it
- Expected, not merely tolerated — most of this work is for camera. The examiner will tell you which angles show the traces best and where a cutaway will lose the moment.
- Questions
- Send them ahead. We will tell you which will play on the instrument and which will produce nothing worth cutting.
- Travel
- We cover the United Kingdom and the United States, and nowhere else. Outside a home region, budget for travel and an overnight if the call is early.