LSMedia or Liverpool student media at liverpoolstudentmedia.com is a brand new website launched by the University of Liverpool's students to promote and support talented Liverpool student's creative written, visual or radio content.

 “BBC Television centre in White City  is just one big chunky donut.”

Sweet sweet nourishment-related architecture aside, it’s the only thing I can think to write on the first page of my notebook whilst wandering around curved corridors, wracking my brain for questions to ask. 

 LSMedia are in this bizarrely-shaped set of offices and studios to observe the filming of Coming of Age, BBC3’s teen drama written by and for young people. If youthfulness is not strictly required to take part in the show, it certainly seems to be a defining quality. Or maybe that’s just the BBC. Even the slightly less fresh faced of the production team (no names mentioned) conduct themselves with an open frankness and enthusiasm that belies the complexities involved in filming a television sitcom. Though being fair, it’s hard not to have fun making a show that prizes itself on scenes of exploding ducks and cardboard cutouts of Jeremy Clarkson. 

 Figurines of obnoxious semi-celebrities aside, I learn a lot about the technical side of filming as well. Unlike their obvious competition on 4, Coming of Age is very much a sitcom, shot broadly in front of a live audience. This is designed I am told, to do away with the blue-filtered over-produced nuttery of rival comedy-drama Skins and focus on good dialogue and well-written set pieces.

 Despite the enthusiasm, the previous series did not always fare so well with critics- the main accusation being that the show was too crude and lacking in proper story development. This is something that new producer Simon London takes relatively personally. I am told in no uncertain terms that, despite being snubbed by toffee nosed Telegraph critics, the first series of Coming of Age did exceptionally well amongst its target audience (16-24 year olds i.e. people who read LSMedia). Besides which, it was unfair on the cast. I am inclined to agree. When it comes down to it, it’s about what the viewers like. Bums on seats and all. That and the second season is going to be much better. 

 This is something that all the cast agree on. And wholeheartedly.

 I ask them over lunch about the new plots and scripts. The scripts are far more complex, they say, stronger arcs and a real opportunity to get to grips with their characters. ‘But it’s still crude enough,’ butts in Joe Tracini, the actor and amateur magician who plays cheeky-chappie DK. I wonder if the actors may perhaps have a teensy bit in common with their characters. Instant disagreement. Perhaps too instant. Slightly embarrassed, they suppose that they are at least a little like their television alter-egos. Then the anecdotes start and the conversation swiftly turns blue. So yes, a teensy-bit like their characters anyway. 

 Most of the rest of the day is spent watching various aspects of filming, from scene rehearsals to catching up with the post-production. I watch as the various takes are slotted together: various degrees of juvenile delinquency interspersed with charming scenes of lakeside tranquility- except of course for the exploding ducks that have turned up. Blowing up ducks, I am informed are an essential aspect of plot development, where the teenage existential crises, dramatised before our very eyes are conjoined with imagery of such pathos that it would cause the most stone-hearted iPlayer viewer to break down and weep all over their keyboard. Also, the production team really wanted to lay waste to some pond-life for their jobs. 

 Overall, it was really that last clause that stuck with me throughout the day. These people do this for their jobs. Somebody somewhere has decided in their infinite wisdom that they should pay some cash for people to do exactly what they love doing all day. Such enthusiasm after all only comes from something that you genuinely and honestly enjoy doing. And in that respect it would be a pity for any of you to miss the new season of Coming of Age. 

 LSMedia would like to thank Stuart Macdonald of BBC Marketing, Communications and Audiences for giving us this opportunity.