“The Upside Down”: making the news accessible

UPGRADE DAY

Producing a big news-focused set is no small feat. If the live was necessary, it requires another way of working: without a net, where anything can happen. It is into this challenge that producer Sarah Bussière enthusiastically plunged, who has been working for several years to make more robust content accessible and popular. After working with Marie-France Bazzo and then with the Pharmacist, she was the perfect choice to embark on the adventure of the World upside down with Stéphan Bureau and devote her Friday evenings to “talk of the town“. 

Sarah Bussière < p>How do you go about in such fast-paced news to determine the topics of the week? 

On Monday, we hold our first meeting to determine the 4-5 topics that are in tune with the times and whose evolution we will follow. We also survey our employees. Every week we have two debates and two interview seats with people in the news in addition to the interview with our guest. We never decide before Wednesday or Thursday. This morning (the interview took place on a Friday), the news forces us to rethink a subject. At noon, the content is quite crossed out. But as we are live, we keep the possibility of adapting. We were on a pilot when the queen died. It allowed us to see our agility. 

Live requires a certain amount of risk. It takes courage to expose yourself as debaters and guests do. Is it booking easy? 

We have eight employees. They feed us. They are well armed, have their color. They are really in trade mode. Respect and pleasure are important. We wouldn't let a debater drag on a bitterness. It takes a lot of courage to speak up, especially in the age of social networks. As for our guest, we adjust at least one subject according to what appeals to him. If we wonder about young people's interest in popular culture, we want to hear what Guylaine Tremblay thinks. He is the citizen we want to see.

How would you describe Stéphan Bureau? 

He is very involved, reads a lot, has a lot of ideas. He also has a fascinating contact book. He likes to take the news on the wrong foot to approach hidden angles. He is someone who is close to people and who manages to put them in confidence easily. He was known for his qualities in great interviews, but I think that with this concept, people also discover someone who is funny, enthusiastic.

What does your day look like? Friday? 

In the morning with the content team we make sure that the topics are always relevant. We evaluate if there is a better idea. If so, calls are made. At noon, the whole team arrives. We rehearse in the afternoon, we practice mechanics. We meet our debaters, we go around the subjects, their points of view, their opening topic. Don't forget it's Friday night. The tone, the energy are important. Tempers are sweet, but fun and respect are key. It's the balance to be preserved.

Why is the presence of the public important? 

This is what sets us apart , our signature. We have the opportunity to hear people concerned by the subjects speak out. It's a little “Claire Lamarche” side. It contributes to the energy of the event where anything can happen.

Listen < /strong>The Upside Down Fridays at 8 p.m. on TVA