Angelina Belcheva is responsible for the production of the key programming projects of bTV Media Group and runs the teams and processes of their realization. She joined bTV in 2008, and she took the position Local Productions Manager 2015. Her professional path in bTV is related to the productions Survivor, The Voice of Bulgaria, Bulgaria’s Got Talent, Before Noon, etc. Starting this spring, among the internal productions of bTV is also the cult culinary show MasterChef Bulgaria.

Ms. Belcheva, the two largest-scale productions of bTV this spring, The Voice and MasterChef, are produced by your team. According to your experience, what defines if a production will be successful?

The successful production is the one that excites. That depends entirely on the content - it should offer powerful stories and emotions, in combination with a good picture and inspiring and talented faces. My team and I believe that the contemporary television informs, entertains but also educates and inspires. That’s why our entertainment shows have a positive charge and goodwill. Not only the winners, but also all heroes in shows such as The Voice of Bulgaria, MasterChef, etc., serve as an example for many people that when you have a clear goal and direction, and invest talent and hard work, you can be successful.

Even the strongest productions, however, need to be upgraded with each consecutive edition. Here we have the advantage that we work long-term with the most successful, loved artists and faces and we ourselves create TV stars. For us the faces are strategic partners, whom we support unconditionally, and not “mercenaries” for one or other season. We share common values with them regarding the content.

Of course, it is also important to be up to date and to take full advantage of the newest technologies on the world TV market. We borrow from the experience abroad and implement new solutions here. This is important for both the viewers in front of the TV screen, and the fans who are following us on the websites or on btvplus.bg after the broadcast. Last year we enabled a 360-degree view of the scene of the finals of The Voice and The Farm especially for the online users. For this spring we have prepared a lot more exclusive video content, mostly for the digital platforms of The Voice of Bulgaria and MasterChef Bulgaria.

Still, the audience today is so diversified that for a long time already there is no format for everyone. We strive to have a diversity of programs, but understandably, in the TV primetime, that reaches the greatest number of viewers, we are gathering the family in from of the screen. That’s why we are even more careful and responsible to the content we offer. Today we need inspiring examples and the good TV show should create them.

bTV actively develops its own production team for several years already. How does that affect your relationships with the external producers?

We are open to all good and interesting projects, no matter if they are offered by an internal or external producer, because for bTV the variety of genres is very important. The criteria are the same: to be meaningful, to be entertaining, to focus on powerful positive stories and to align with the world standards for quality television that we have the privilege of implementing and affirming in Bulgaria. We are developing our own production department, in which I work with some of the best people in the TV business, but bTV Media Group will continue to partner with external producers as well – both big and small.

Which are the key moments in working on such formats?

First we identify what kind of a format the public needs, with the help pf the findings of the surveys that we conduct regularly. We also follow the world trends. Then together with the programming department we decide how this format would be best positioned in the TV’s schedule. After finalizing the concept, we evaluate the necessary resources that would bring a good result. We engage the most suitable creative and production team for the format. And then the machine starts working in a 24/7 rhythm. We are working closely with all teams in the TV, and the most important thing is that we are 100% engaged with delivering the best end product to the viewers. At the end only this matters.

Working for TV productions looks exciting and fun from the outside. Which are the challenges that remain hidden to the public?

Every time it’s a new adventure! Every time you “forget” exactly how you did it the last time. And this is the exciting part. New situations, people, relationships. Our team knows that every shooting schedule is subject to changes and at any moment we must be ready to enrich and edit even a ready episode. Stress in part of the job but it remains hidden from the public. The responsibility we take as a team, working for the most watched TV channel, is huge, because in the end the viewers are interested only in the final product that is delivered to them.

Our profession is an adventure. It takes a lot from sleep and our nerves but gives incomparable satisfaction. To excite and make people smile is priceless!

Are there enough prepared human resources for working on TV productions? How do you select your teams? Do you have to know music to work in the backstage of The Voice, and to be interested in culinary to work for MasterChef?

You are raising an important and painful issue. Just like in other spheres, in ours there aren’t many prepared professionals either. Learning happens on the go… That’s why in the past few years bTV Media Group invests in training people with interest, courage and talent to work and specialize in such large-scale productions.

As a person responsible for the production, I endeavor to grow and train talented girls and boys, who have potential and willingness to become good professionals. I select my team very carefully and I trust and hold on to it very much. For me the work environment and the human relations are very important. The top three things I am looking for are integrity, intelligence and energy. It is also important to be a good and moral person, to take interest in the world, and then professionalism builds up with experience. It’s not necessary to understand music or cooking to work for The Voice or MasterChef, but for sure you will get excited about them in the course of the project.

My people and I are doing everything with our heart. We don’t depend on routine. Sometimes I have to diversify the teams, to swap tasks. I believe it’s a good managerial approach to build professionals who could handle any situation. Television is motion. You need reflexes and skills to quickly adapt to new circumstances and environment. Audacity, good taste and curiosity to move ahead.