SUMMARY OF PROGRAM CRITIQUE

TUSKER PROJECT FAME (TPF) CRITIQUE SUMMARY

Having attended a live show of TPF and watching it on the television gives one various views and things to think about. Whichever way one watches the show, there are various things that one learns.

During a live show, you do not get to experience the various angles that the program is formatted to, the lighting, and the camera movement. However, you get to experience the camera men and number of cameras, the floor director and the program controller who are placed strategically so as the audience can get the instructions and the lighting manager Also, you experience the tension and the noises that are in the dome tent in EABL’s headquarter, Ruaraka.

The most used shots were the medium shot and long shots, for the contestants and the presenters, as they were moving around on stage and to bring variety. There needs to be a difference when one watches the show on television and from the actual place where it is being recorded. Then as for the judges and the faculty, the shot that was mostly used was medium shot. The live audience were viewed by the home audience mostly by over the shoulder shot (for those who had sat behind the judges and the faculty) and as for the rest of the live audience, an aerial shot so as to get the whole crowd.

When watching it from the television, what we watch is the final output after the producer decides what we, the audience, will watch. I mean, he tells which camera is going to be in the line out, which is fed live to the audience watching it from home. We see the final edited piece. We do not hear the sounds that are normally made by the audience expect when they applauded. This means then that the microphones they use are specifically used to pick up what is necessary.

In my opinion, I think that it is difficult to produce a live show and not have any errors but that can be covered easily. However, having gone through broadcast classes, one can recognize these errors. Example, at times, the stage was left vacant for a long while, the microphones that the presenters and the judges used were not suitable as they picked up everything. I think that the presenters should have been given the lapels microphones.

The lighting, for instance, brought the feeling of concert like as there were blue gels and orange gels and a spotlight.

The floor director also did a good job as he was able to control the crowd, which is a difficult task. I came to know this as I went for a live recording. The audience is normally given instructions before the actual recording starts. Some of the instructions include, no leaving the show while the live coverage is going on, no taking of photos or phone calls or video. As a matter of fact, the mobile phones should be off so as not to interfere with the equipments and the cameras.

The make up artist who ensured that the contestants were not shining and that the sweating was not seen as a result of the lights.

Good choice of microphones. On November 20, 2010, Sheila had a cold and she was sounding sick but after watching the recap, now on the TV, there was good choice of microphones and also there was good effects used so as to hide that.

The producer and director having to bring a live show and knowing exactly which camera should be on the line out monitor did a good job, in my own opinion.

However, whoever said that Kenya cannot produce a local show and it comes out perfect was lying to him or her and basing on the knowledge that I have, together with other students with the supervision of the lecturer, they better watch this space.


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