MASTERMIND After being on several TV quiz shows (University Challenge, The Chase), I tried my luck in early 2024 with applying to Mastermind, the flagship BBC quiz. After an audition where I thought I did only averagely well, I was surprised to receive the call in February 2024 to be told that I would be on the programme!
but unfortunately my relative lack of general knowledge cost me in the end and I came fifth out of six. Overall, the experience was amazing and I got an enormous amount of moral and practical support from many people within Hachette – thank you all! SPECIALIST SUBJECT 3 THE MUSIC OF LED ZEPPELIN SPECIALIST SUBJECT 1 SPANISH BAROQUE PAINTER DIEGO VELAZQUEZ SPECIALIST SUBJECT 2 SERBIAN TENNIS PLAYER NOVAK ÐOKOVIĆ
When choosing the specialist subject, the production team asked for a list of topics I could attempt, and then suggested one of them for the TV show. Once we agreed the topic, we agreed the sources from which I would study and from which the questions would come. This was a sensible way of avoiding disagreements about the answers. It was very much akin to preparing for a GCSE exam, with typed revision notes and flashcards. Taking accountability for how to study
most effectively and adapting my time and learning habits to the task at hand were key, as well as using concentration techniques to maximise my performance in the black chair. My first specialist subject was on the Spanish Baroque painter Diego Velázquez. I won the first round relatively easily and focused in the semifinal on the career of Novak Ðoković, the legendary Serbian tennis player.
I prevailed in a very tight finish, where staying calm and not wilting under the pressure made all the difference. The preparation for the final (which was filmed in November 2024) was manic, as I only had six weeks to revise my third specialist subject, the music of Led Zeppelin. The highlight was receiving a personal video message from Robert Plant wishing me luck! I was tied for the lead after the specialist subjects
MILATOVIĆ
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