If the X-Factor were to just show people going to their auditions and nothing else, they would end up with a very boring final product. In order to keep the viewer’s interest, they have to package their final product with various different shots. For this they use a number of cameras as they are trying to capture things as they unfold, which obviously can’t be re-shot.
One of the type of shots they like to use is a shot to show the crowd. This is often used when the contestant is saying how nervous they are, to get the viewer to empathise with the contestant. Obviously, if the viewer sees the huge crowd that the singer is performing infront of, they will start to understand and be sympathetic towards the singer. A notable example of this is when they show the shot behind the contestant for a true view of exactly what the contestant sees, again trying to build up an empathetic connection with the singer.
At the start of the clip a large amount of their footage involves other people, whether it be in the background of the grandma’s audition, the candid footage of the contestant or even just before the contestant walks out onto the stage. This is to highlight to the viewer how many people are there all vying for the same opportunity. This gets the audience to already start supporting this girl from within the first 30 seconds. We are willing her to be better than all these other faceless people that we see. It also builds tension in the viewer because we can see the amount of people there and we start to doubt that she will make it. Most notably, before Tamera Foster goes out to perform, we are shown a clip of another auditionee. He doesn’t sound terrible and is fairly presentable. However the judges slate him, he ends up having a poor audition and we are shown shots of judges looking fed up. This is again another trick to build tension for the viewer. We are led to believe that the judges are going to be even harsher on our contestant and generally are quite fed up and tired. Before this contestant has even started singing, the producers of The X-Factor have already instilled the viewers with many positive and hopeful emotions about this girl. We already want her to do succeed.
As she announces her song for the judges we are shown several reaction shots, one from Gary Barlow (a judge) and one from the audience. This is again to build tension for the viewer. If we see, not only that a professional is shocked by her choice, but also an audience member that is shocked; as a viewer we are led to believe that she is taking a serious risk by singing this song. Suddenly, it seems as though the odds are stacked against this girl that we want to do so well. Just before she actually starts singing we are shown several reaction shots. Another audience reaction shot, showing someone intently trying to watch the performance and one from her aforementioned Grandmother intently watching the performance. This is leading the viewers to believe that all the eyes are on the performer, building tension. By showing the Grandmother, this tension increases because of the emotional link that we already have. We are reminded of how much she wants her Granddaughter to succeed, right after the tension is built. This again, is trying to get the audience to want the contestant to do well even more. We are then shown a wide shot of the audience and then the stage. This is to get the audience to understand how small she has to feel on stage, how scared she must be and once again, how difficult this must be. It is all about getting the viewer to empathise with the contestant’s emotions.
As Tamera sings her first word, we are treated to a slow zoom to a close up of her face. This is to get the viewer to be able to see the emotions in her face and jsfbhv
We are then treated to another slow zoom as our singer forgets the words, once again making us feel emotional for her. As if that wasn’t enough anguish for the viewer, we are then treated to a shot of Nicole Sherzinger egging her on by mouthing the words so the viewers know that the judges really want her to succeed as much as we do. The shot that follows is a reaction shot of an audience member looking puzzled at the singer not singing. This is meant to give the viewer a feeling of despair, this singer that we’ve grown to love over the past few minutes is not performing as well as we hoped she could have and that all is lost.
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After watching a large amount of quiz shows I have noticed a pattern that they all seem to follow. The first shot after the intro is a wide shot of the stage, contestants and the audience.
Here are all the camera positions for the show:
1. Zooming shot on the presenter:
The shot they usually follow this up with is a zoom shot of the presenter. Usually the presenter of these quiz shows is a celebrity or someone who has been in the public eye for a while. This alone will draw some viewers into watching the program; the star-quality. It is also important for the viewer to get comfortable and used to the presenter as he or she will be the presenter for the entire series
2. Wide shot of the entire stage
This is to introduce first-time viewers to the set up of the show and make them aware of where things are positioned in relation to each other. This is for continuity and to immerse the viewer into the program. If the viewer is busy trying to understand the layout of the show and where the presenter is in relation to the contestants then the viewer is less likely to be interested in the program.
3. Wide of the contestants
This is to introduce the viewer to the various audience members within the television show. This is to make the viewer aware of the members of public that are participating in the show and is also a way for the viewers to better understand the set-up of the show. It also serves as an introduction to where the game show participants are in relation to each other. If this were not to happen, it would be difficult for the audience to follow who is talking to who in the studio.
4. Camera for Dayle and Keith
5. Camera for Ryan and Chris
6. Camera for Naomi and Will
7. Camera for Sophie and Alex
These cameras are specifically for the members that are taking part in the show. These are obviously integral to the show making sense. Having dedicated cameras for each contestant is important as it helps the audience focus when each contestant is having their say on the show.
8. Camera for Richard
9. Camera for the both presenters
The last program that I will be reviewing is a debate show called “The Big Questions”. The show begins with a wide shot of the entire set. This is used in most shows as a way of establishing the set. If this isn’t used at the start of the show then it is difficult for the audience to visualise the space inside the studio.
1. Shot of the main stage
– This is to establish the type of show that we are watching. This is establishing because it show the viewers the set-up of the stage and gives them a certain sense of spacial awareness, making it easier to understand where the camera is cutting to and between shots. It also gives the viewer the opportunity to see the staging of the show. This will usually give some sort of indicator towards how the show is. For instance, the show is very inviting as it has the feeling of a living room. I feel as though this is because of the unusual purple floor and the warm temperature used to design the sets.
2. Shot from the left to the right side of the stage:
3. Shot from the right to the left side of the stage
4. Shot from the left showing the left hand side of the stage.
5. Shot from the right showing the right side of the stage:
These shots are mainly used for when the audience is communicating the host. This is very important as the episode would feel very disjointed without seeing who the host is having the debate with.
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