The Big Idea Works is my brand new BBC show that we’ve made up here in the North East with Gateshead-based production company Twenty Six 03.
The show features inventors, regular people who have extraordinary and innovative ideas but aren’t sure how to turn a concept into a real-life product.
That’s where the The Big Idea Works team comes in! We’ve invited these aspiring inventors into our workshop to meet our team of experts who can help develop their initial ideas into a fully-functioning product. Our engineers are the best in the world at what they do, so if it’s possible to turn a dream into a reality – they can do it!
You know, I love problem solving ideas and innovative concepts, so I’ll be there to offer support and keep a beady business eye on things. I know there are thousands of people across the country who have big and brilliant ideas but are stuck on how to get started. So to be able to help them develop and make their inventing dreams a reality is a real privilege!
That’s where the The Big Idea Works team comes in! We’ve invited these aspiring inventors into our workshop to meet our team of experts who can help develop their initial ideas into a fully-functioning product. Our engineers are the best in the world at what they do, so if it’s possible to turn a dream into a reality – they can do it!
You know, I love problem solving ideas and innovative concepts, so I’ll be there to offer support and keep a beady business eye on things. I know there are thousands of people across the country who have big and brilliant ideas but are stuck on how to get started. So to be able to help them develop and make their inventing dreams a reality is a real privilege!
Sim is an designer and fabricator. He was born in Woomera, Australia before moving to Saudi Arabia, where he grew up on an RAF base.
In the past, Sim has designed boats and hovercrafts, worked on designs for the circus, and built interactive exhibitions for science museums. He prides himself on being able to build ‘pretty much anything’ and rarely says no to a build idea!
In 2013, he helped his friend James May to construct a working motorcycle out of Meccano, which May used to complete a lap of the 2013 TT Race.
Andy is a development engineer working in the broadcasting industry who specialises in live camera transmission and streaming, as well as working with hardware electronics, code, and 3D design. In 2019, he invented the world’s first onboard 4G road racing bike camera, which is now used in the Tour de France and other European races. In his spare time, Andy runs a youtube channel where he works on electronic projects and shares tutorials. His videos have amassed half a million views so far.
Annie first started to learn about metalwork in her Mixed Media Fine Art degree. She went on to complete a post graduate diploma in Scenic Construction, specialising in metalwork and large-scale prop fabrication and using her skills to create imaginative show props and sets. Annie has been doing special effects prop making and creating metalwork ever since.
She has worked at the Royal Opera House, the National Theatre and has worked on sets in the West End including Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, as well as working on many SFX stage props for numerous shows including the 2012 Olympics opening ceremony and Take That’s world tour.
Annie also designs and builds stage decor and site art installations for music festivals including Glastonbury. Boomtown and Shambala.
Eneni is a Robotics Engineer, STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) Communicator, Multi Award-Winning Speaker and Founder of the International Anime and Gaming community, ‘Anime and Chill’.
An advocate for diversity and inclusion as well as a self-professed geek, Eneni has a strong passion to demystify and eradicate the negative stereotypes and limiting societal expectations placed on women that affect us pursuing and retaining careers in tech.
She has worked in multiple tech sectors from developing algorithms for self-driving cars to data analysis and optimisation for some of the biggest gaming apps in the World.When not working or at university, she organises several coding and robotics workshops globally with her NGO, The Techover Foundation, to encourage, educate and support the next generation into pursuing careers in STEM.
Chris describes himself as a ‘professional Northerner’, originally hailing from Cumbria where he used to build the Vanguard class nuclear submarine.
He’s worked in the media industry for more than 20 years and in that time he has undertaken many roles from content producer, ideas generator, engineering consultant, camera operator, time-lapse photographer, prop-maker, fabricator and off camera engineering support.
Chris has also been a contributor on “Beat the Ancestors” as the team’s wood working expert.
Chris is particularly skilled at explaining difficult science and engineering concepts to the layperson.
He has set world records, made a boat from ice, made a ‘singing road’ and he has achieved multiple engineering feats which many thought were impossible.
Felix has been creating with metal since she was a child. Her interest in the art was first sparked as she helped her dad, who was a metalworker himself, creating intricate wind-powered kinetic sculptures and silver jewellery.
After graduating from Brighton University, Felix began making large-scale sculptures, from pyro-kinetic set-pieces for live orchestra events to bespoke circus equipment. Felix has created metalwork and special effects for shows like Doctor Who, Top Gear, and X-Factor. She was the gas flame effects manager for Arcadia for several years, and has worked on pyrotechnic displays across the country.
Felix has also worked as a facilitator at several forest schools, and has discovered that she loves helping people build their self-confidence. The courses she runs are a platform for her to promote.
Willow is an artist craftsperson who works primarily in metal. Willow draws upon their multidisciplinary experience to produce lighting, homeware & sculpture. They are inspired by a curious temperament and the observation and study of nature.
They seek to express their fascination with the art forms of nature, in beautiful unique and functional objects. “I love the outdoors and foraging walking, and ultra long distance cycling, I have been for a number of multi-week trips. I also love music, dancing, art and cooking”.
I’m so excited that this new show is being filmed in the North East with a Gateshead production company, Twenty Six 03, using local crew and off-screen talent.
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