Programme critique of K24 capital talk 09-0368

Programme critique of K24 capital talk 09-0368
Capital talk is a talk show programme produced and transmitted by K24, a local TV station in Kenya. It normally airs at 8.00pm every week from Monday to Friday. The main host is usually Mr. Jeff Koinange a prominent media personality who also couples as the executive director is the host of the show.
Capital talk is a production that usually hosts guests from different spheres in life which includes social, economic and political. It mostly dwells on people who have gone the extra mile to impact the society positively or even to highlight and seek solution to the plight of humanity.

The show usually begins with a montage and signature before the host Jeff introduces his guest to the “hot seat” the bench in the setting. In between the talk show there is a transition of advertisements and in-house promos which normally work to fulfill the need to break the monotony of debate and entertain or inform the viewer. Towards the end there is usually the outro which normally comprises of a montage together with the credits which reveal that the production is not a one man show but is made successful through the contribution of a number of people e.g. lighting manager, producer, director, floor manager, sound manager, cameraman and driver etc.

Episode 1 November 15th/11/2010
Considering that the people of southern Sudan are gearing up for the much anticipated referendum which seeks to see the larger Sudan be divided into two. Jeff Koinange got to host of former Ivorian child soldier turned author Mr. Ishmael Beah who shares intriguing tales of his dark past. Ishmael is the author of a bestselling book christened “a long way gone” that captures his past lifestyle as a child soldier.

The show is usually done in open air during the day and so it particularly dwelt on incidence light which comes from the sun. About the lighting there were no shadows seen, both subjects were clearly lit. Maybe this is because the camera took the shots while facing the direction of where the light is from.
On sound, I noticed they used the lavalier microphone which was clipped on the subjects garment. I’m sure they chose this considering its portability and unnoticeable size. They probably could have used the cardoid pick up pattern microphone which eliminates picking noise in the background. This could come in handy to eliminate the voices of the background crew while giving instructions.


Episode two November 16th/11/2010

Another guest interviewed was prominent philanthropist Mrs. Deloris Jordan who is mother to legendary basketball Michael Jordan. Mrs. Deloris is the founder of James R. Jordan foundation, this foundation was started in honor of her late husband James Jordan and seeks to campaign for cheap and quality healthcare services for all. In Kenya it particularly has strong ties with the Nairobi Women’s Hospital.
The camera man particularly focused on the medium shot probably to reveal the setting of the show. Further he used the close up of Mrs. Jordan probably to display emotion hence inviting the participation of the viewer.
Again the show was on outside location and so it depended on incidence light from the sun.

Episode 3 November 17th/11/2010
Jeff again played host to former Sudanese child soldier turned musician Emmanuel Jal who has inspired many through his soothing music that dwells on preaching for peace. As Emmanuel was narrating his sordid ordeal in which he lost his family members to the war. I noticed the camera man was keen to take an extreme close up shot of him maybe to reveal the emotions corresponding to the incidences he was mentioning.
Again I noticed a lavalier microphone clipped on Jal’s collar. There was no problem with the wind in the open air setting so I guess precautions were taken to avoid that. Probably they were using a condenser microphone which is versatile to wind and also contains its own power back up.


Episode 4 November 18th/11/2010
Capital talk yet again played host to Simona Atzori an Italian born artist and dancer who despite being born without arms has maneuver to beat the odds to become a renowned artist and choreographer.
I was keen to note that the camera man was particular about taking close up shots of Atzoris body structure and this was especially when she used her toe fingers to grab the cup of water.
An establishment shot was also used probably to reveal the setting of the interview.
The lighting was good apart from some instances when some shadows could be seen probably the incidence light from the sun that was being used kept on changing the intensity. To avoid this probably some floodlights could be employed on the site of shooting.
The sound was equally clearly and audible. I guess a microphone with the omnidirectional pickup pattern was used considering that some slight wild sound could be heard of birds chirping.

Episode 5 November 19th/11/2010
Another guest on Jeffs ‘hot’ seat was another former Sudanese child soldier turned author Mr. Valentino Achek Deng creator of Valentino Achek Deng foundation which is a nonprofit making organization working to increase access to education to post conflict southern Sudan. One of its objectives is building libraries, teacher training institutes and community centre’s.
I noticed the weather was too dull for a outside shooting but we still managed to se the subjects in the show clearly. This probably could be as a result of the use of the flat lighting technique which ensures optimal visibility while minimizing on the shadows. They probably used floodlights to improve visibility.
The camera man employed basically most of the camera movements highlighted in class like zoom in and out which was used to reveal or make conspicuous significant elements in the interview session. Panning also came in handy when the camera man shifted focus of the viewer from the host to the guest especially when a question was posed.

Conclusion:
The knowledge gathered in Com 264(Broadcast techniques) will for sure be significant in my journalism career to help me critically evaluate productions professionally. In addition this will go a long way in cementing a strong foundation for the field of electronic media that I,m intending to venture in.
Honestly, I took for granted the activities that go on behind a production until I joined this class that I began to appreciate the fact that unity is strength. This is bearing the fact that for a production to be successful it needs the efforts of many people. This is why its important to give credit at the end of any production.