summary critique on Tusker project Fame 4 2010,Emmaculate,09-1207

PROGRAMME CRITIQUE ON TUSKER PROJECT FAME 4
I have been watching the Tusker Project Fame season 4 episodes from the 23rd of October until the 21st of November. During this whole period of observation and critical analysis of the programme, I have noted numerous techniques regarding their productions and how they have made the show worth watching and entertaining to their audience.
Every contestant always has their own moment of the spotlight in that the angles vary from the very extreme close- ups to long shots. They would show a long angle shot view of each contestant and a medium shot for a closer look-up. Now, the programme always starts with a signature tune then the contestants are shown one by one as an introduction to those in the academy. Then after, we have the two hosts of the show Sheila Mwanyiga and Dr. Mitch. They both welcome us and introduce us to the judges, the faculty and the teachers. Medium shots and sometimes long angle shots are taken for each of the persons introduced but for the two hosts they first show them fully with a long angle shot and a medium shot later on. At times an extreme close-up is taken to floss over the nice hairdo of Sheila Mwanyiga or the contestant ladies.
The programme usually has routines where on every episode aired each Saturday, those contestants that had been put on probation during the episode of the previous weeks performance perform again after which three or two of them are saved and the rest are terminated from the competition. Usually four contestants are put on probation.
As they each perform various angle shots are taken like for example, as a contestant performs, they take a long shot of her/him, show probably the dress code of the person. Extreme close-up shots are also taken to show the expressions on their faces as they perform various songs, there’s a lot of paneling as there is plenty of movement because the contestants are not stable, they move around the stage and at times perform dances thus it becomes difficult for the camera to take a still stand shot. There is also the dolling in and out of the cameras as they try to focus on a certain member of the programme. Medium shots and close up shots are mainly taken when the judges are giving out their comments after a contestant has performed so we are able to see Judge Ian, Juliana and Hermis as they speak out, as well as the teachers or the Principal of the academy.
The other routine is that followed on all Sundays whereby those contestants still in the academy perform fresh songs with different genres each time. After they perform the judges get to give their comments on their progress and the overall performance of the presentation and thereafter four contestants who did not put up to the standards of the judges are put on probation and the cycle goes on again and again until now we have only seven contestants left.
The lighting of the programme is quite comprehensive and if my observation is right they have used the three lightings which are the key light, back light and the fill light. The stage is well lit and one is able to see each and every little thing happening. The audiences usually are given the backlight so that we can differentiate them from the contestants on stage. The lighting is dull on the audiences unlike the stage which is usually fully lit as it’s the centre of all operations. The light on stage is basically the key light which is a spot light. The fill; light has also been achieved through the various illuminations place around the stage on the flat surface while others are fixed on the roof or the ceilings of the stage so that they can overcome the shadows that may be displayed on the faces of the contestants as they perform and mostly when the cameras are focusing on them.
The sound is good so far and they have various types of microphone connections. Some of the physical types of microphones have seen them use are the handheld. These are mainly used by the hosts Sheila Mwanyiga and Dr. Mitch, the contestants and the judges, teachers and the faculty as well. The other which is the mounted microphone has been mainly used by guests who have performed with live bands. For example, recently on the 21st in the episode Eric Wainaina and his back up lady used the mounted microphone to perform. The lavellier has been used by the hosts for co ordination with each other and the directors of the show as well. This because they need to be directed on when to go on breaks and announcements to make thus for there to be effective communication and co-ordination they have to have the hidden mics on.
The show has microphones with various pick-up patterns for example; the microphones used by the contestants on stage are sometimes bidirectional and at times cardioids. The reason as to why I tend to think they use both is because a contestant may just perform and not involve the audience while at times they hold the microphone back at the audience for us to hear their response or their reactions. The reason why they don’t mostly use the omnidirectional is to avoid the gathering or unnecessary sounds and also to avoid distraction of the contestants as they perform. I have observed that the microphones they use are electrostatic (condenser). This because they produce quality sound and appear to be light with the way they are handled by the contestants as they are on stage.
In conclusion, the programme is professional if I compare the overall production according to the knowledge I have acquired in this course. The lighting is thrilling, the sound is of a high quality, the angle of shots are comprehensive, the microphones used are blending with the performance in the show thus it’s a good job to the whole production crew.