Anaylisis and Report on Live T.V Production

Analyse and Report on Live TV Shows-By Kamal Shaddad

The 2 shows I have chosen for this essay, is Stephen Fry’s Q.I and Dave’s Argumental. Q.I is a quiz panel show that has been around for over 10 years, and is hosted by Stephen Fry, the man who is hardly ever speechless. It focuses on testing its talents knowledge of the wide world, but I think its underlying theme is the search for knowledge. The TV Channel Dave, created a truly unique debating show, which is now going to be used on BBC 2. It focuses on arguing your point through any means necessary, even if it means getting naked in front of the audience. Both shows are regular, and usually book comedy talent, though one show looks for those less crude then the other.
Q.I is a quiz show based on General Knowledge, but usually its questions go far deeper. Its rounds aren’t very set in stone, but about 2 is the norm. The first one will last the actual duration of the show, only leaving maybe 5 minutes for the second round. This round focuses on the episodes theme, which can range from science, to animals starting with the letter G. The talent then usually guess, and have a laugh over the facts given out by the host, in order to come to some sort of answer. The second round is known as the round of ‘General Ignorance’ and is the shows form of a Quick fire round, however they usually only manage to get 2 questions in at the end of the show. Most of the show is ’ad lib’, which means that it does not stick to a rigid format, instead questions will be handed out, and then it’s up to the host and his comedy talent to fill in the gaps with their jokes. The role of Stephen Fry in series is a sort of bank of knowledge, who may or may not choose to give out small hints on certain questions, however he is not strict and his tone is always warm and open.
The opening sequence is very short, maybe about 30 seconds long, however in that time; the producer has managed to get across the feel, theme, and idea behind the show. The music used is upbeat, but calm, nothing to fast paced, thus giving a nice relaxed and comical feeling to the show. Accompanying the music is a very heavy graphic sequence; it is full of mathematic equations, literature from the past. However it also contains pictures of things on earth, ranging from the earth itself, to animals, babies, even people who affected the way we live our lives today. Whenever a picture is used, words are usually placed over it, and it works in time with the music, giving it rhythm and pace. All of this would have been done to show the many topics the show can cover, and how vast it questions can range. The final piece in the opening titles is a magnifying glass, which searches through all this information, as if trying to find something in particular, this is what I mean by showing its underlying theme for a search of knowledge, most the things asked and said, people will not know, and they watch the show partly to find out things.
The format used for Q.I is just like most panel quiz shows, 1 host, and several talents, ranging from 4 to 6. Behind them are large screens, used for VT insert material, whether it be video or audio. The shows logo will always take place, if the screens are not being used. In terms of tension building, there is no real noticeable build of it; instead they have opted for the amusing way of making a large fuss if someone has said the wrong answer. However it isn’t just any wrong answer, usually it’s when it is based off an old wives tale, for example if the question was “Who goose-stepped across Europe during the 1940’s?” The answer most people would think is the Nazi’s which is wrong as they stopped doing it after 1939. Because the answer seems so easy and full of common sense, it traps the talent, making it a rather amusing scene. This shows a very light hearted prank, the host can use to trap his talent in, but also it tells people watching, that is the wrong answer, and usually the correct term is followed. The Audience that this show is aimed for would most likely a much older audience, 45-55, but those above and far below that age range can find it equally amusing and fascinating. The reason being for this age range is because the show is broadcasted in the evening, usually during tea time, so about 6 p.m. Also the light and humour mixed with the education factor would appeal more to those who have reached a high point in their lives, and are actually interested in learning about the world.
The size of the studio seems very large, to my guessing I would say it would be 50mx50m, the size of a medium town hall. Since the set itself is rather large, and the fact the audience are never seen in any shots, and the amount of noise they make makes one think it is quite a large studio audience. The set itself is a mix of being complicated and rather simple, in terms of simplicity, the 2 large screens used for VT inserts stand tall behind the talent, but behind the host is a large circular dial, which is decorated with literature, maths and the shows logo. The desk which the all rest on is quite grand, once again it is styled in the shows logo of a Q with a small I in side of it, the host and talent sit on the upper part of the Q, whilst the rest of it stretched towards the audience, with the I raised in the centre and covered in an orange glow. It gives a very professional, but old feel to the set, thus boosting an idea of a modern library steeped in knowledge. Seating wise, you can’t actually see the audience as said before, but most likely they are all on raised platforms, angling down to the set, and the Host and his talent sitting in comfortable chairs behind the desk. The way it is built, means the sound is semi funnelled to the audience from the desk, but don’t in a casual and gentle way, so the sound surrounds the audience rather than blast them from head on.
The set seems like it should be permanent, as with all the screens and desk to move, it would probably take a lot of time to set it up, and then strike it all down for another program. But because of the gap between the audience and the set, it allows the camera crew much more breathing space, in terms of looking for shots, they can move around much more freely, and not have to truly worry about getting in someone’s way. I counted about 7 cameras in total for the production. 1 Camera would be on a crane, which is movable to a certain extent, a safety camera focused on giving a wide shot of the host and talent, 2 cameras on the talent to the hosts right and left, one focusing on giving shots of the team together and each individual whilst the other 2 can go in closer for angled shots and over the shoulder shots. One final one that focuses on giving shots of the host, and a wide shot of him and 2 other contestants.
The microphones would have been maybe several hanging down above the audience to pick up the laughter and applause, whilst each person on the desk had their own individual microphone attached to their clothes. The likely size of the lighting grid is big, not huge but big. The lights are mainly focusing on the action on the set, and trying to light the talent and host as naturally as possible, without being too dark. The screens themselves give off light so they have no real need to be brightened, however the set itself, that is including things like the desk, the ‘I’ in the centre of it, the large circular piece behind Stephen Fry’s head, would all need lighting. Most of it is probably done from behind or inside the actual pieces, thus the overhead grid can focus on the talent.
The likely size of the crew would have been about 21 people needed to get the show running. The Mise-En-Scene used in the show as made to look modern, but warm and welcoming. But it doesn’t forget about the logo, and thus it keeps instilling the idea of searching for information and knowledge. The clothes the talent wear are semi formal, nothing to smart, but nothing to casual, giving an educated feeling. The health and safety issues one is to address on a set like this, is mainly the lighting, as some of it is just at the feet of the host and talent, as well as hanging directly above them, it is possible that they could fall or set something alight. Other things, is the large screens and surrounding set being held firmly in place, so it doesn’t fall on anyone. The shots that would be focused for a show like this are Mid Shots, Close Ups, 2 Shots, 3 Shots, Wide Shots, Medium Close Ups, and Over the Shoulder Shots. These are the basic and most used shots in Quiz Panel shows, as that is mainly what you can get, as they are sitting behind a desk.

Argumental, is a very unique debating show, shown on Dave and soon to be BBC2, it consists of 1 Host, 2 team captains, and 2 comedy talent, and each side has a colour, red and blue. A topic, chosen by the host is said, and both teams are to argue 1 side of the topic in question, to the audience and then it is up to them who win, by a show of cards. In terms of rounds there are about 3, the first is just a simple argument between the team captains, and the talent are allowed to have a small say in the matter. The second round, is based on a topic, however the person arguing a side, must link a set of pictures they haven’t seen before, to the topic. This is usually done between one member of the talent and a team captain of opposing sides. The final round focuses usually on something weird, and that is when the ‘winning by any means necessary’ comes into play. However it all depends on the topic set, this could range from naturism, to the general public, to the elderly. Just like Q.I the show is mainly focused on ‘ad lib’, as the reasons behind arguments tend to straw from the topic, and end up lashing out at either the opposition or the audience. This is all seen in loud applause and laughter, as the comedians amuse their audience in a bid to win their votes.
The opening title sequence is not very long, and contains many graphics in order to prove its point, as well as set the tone for the rest of the show. The music is not very fast paced, nor slow, but one thing is for certain is that it is not upbeat, instead it makes one think that there is friction between two people, which is usually what you get during an argument or a debate. During the music, the pictures of the team captains in black and white pop up, in body positions and with facial features one would expect from somebody trying to prove their point. Tagged along with them, are their teams colours of red and blue, but also captions you would hear in a debate, in large white letters. These tend to slink into each other and meld together using special effects. This put together gives off the feeling of a show about debating facts and topics, which is obviously what the Producer was intending to have done.
The format for Argumental stage is very different and in my opinion very unique for a debating show. The audience are placed in a triangle formation around the ‘debating stage’. One area sits at the very front, in between the 2 teams, looking like the neutral side. Then 2 other areas are focused behind the 2 teams, as if they have already chosen aside from the very beginning. A large stage, with lights in the floor which give off the red and blue colour in a ladder fashion, shine. Then around both sets of these lights, is a red area and a blue one, and at the edges sit the teams in comfortable white chairs. Above the stage and the 2 audience groups which sit behind the teams, are 3 very large screens, which show the name of the topics, a special graphic which is shown in the colour of the team that wins an argument, and any VT inserts. The host himself doesn’t sit anywhere near the talent, instead part of the stage branches off into a corner where he sits at a table, both colours surrounding him to show no bias.
Also the format of the show itself is very different to most debating shows, as they usually focus on serious aspects that affect our lives, however Argumental goes for those small things, which really don’t but one can have a good laugh about it. Also usually in debating shows, it’s the host who decides who wins, but this show gives that choice to the audience, but the way to win their hearts is to make them laugh, and manage to get some real form of truth into your argument. The role of the host in this show isn’t very strong, since it’s all up to the talent when it comes to actually entertaining the audience, the host only moves things on when something has gone on for long enough and calls out who wins by seeing the number of cards. In this show, tension doesn’t really play a huge part as well, there is no massive build up to when the audience vote, it’s just a simple, raise your cards, and we see who wins. Any form of tension, is really built when the 2 opposing teams argue with each other but even then it’s hilarious and never truly serious. The target audience, is probably aimed at 25-35, however those of a younger age can still enjoy it, well only to the age of 16 probably, and not may who are older will enjoy the very crude comedy used. Since the arguments seems like something you would think of at the pub, or after a long day, and is perfect to sit and watch with a beer.
In this case as well, the set seems like it is to be permanent, as there would be a lot to move and set up, and striking it would be even more of an effort. The studio is probably the same size as a medium town hall, however in this case, the lighting grid is very complex, as well as the fact that the lighting changes throughout the show at regular intervals. As the stage lights continue to flash, the overhead ones focussing on lighting the talent, and audience, there are many bars of neon light placed behind the teams, where the audience sit as well, and the screens themselves have lights above them. So for the Lighting master, he most likely has 2 other people working on other areas, instead of one person controlling the whole set. I saw about 6 cameras, most of them would have been in a fixed position apart from 2, which would get those over the shoulder shots. The crew would have numbered in my mind, as the set is much larger than the Q.I one about 25 people. The microphones are mainly fixed, above the audiences, on the shirts of the talent, and one stand for the host on his desk. The set and its props are designed to show to opposing sides coming into conflict, thus boosting the idea of argument, and picking sides. The cards represent those who would ‘follow’ you cause and your answer to a topic if it was serious. The places the audience sit seem to give off a mini- army sort of aura for some and then those sitting in the middle, seem to be undecided and it’s up to the talent to reel them in. The risks for this set are massive, going from the multitude of lights, to the massive screens placed high above the audience’s un-expecting heads, fuses can blow causing a fire, screens could fall hurting people or maybe killing them, lights could fall, the stage wouldn’t hold up, causing damage to property. To prevent this, loads of safety checks should be done, to make sure everything is being held tightly enough so nothing like this happens.
Shots that are to be used in this type of show are going to be far different than in Q.I since people are able to stand up, move around, the audience is always in clear view, and anything can happen really. So the selection of shots that would be used is, Mid Shots, Close Ups, 2 Shots, Wide Shots, Medium Close Ups, and Over the Shoulder Shots, Long shots, Medium Wide and Long Shots. All these will insure that the TV viewing audience will get all the action as sometimes on the show, people move around a lot, and the camera’s need to be quick and able to catch everything done.
This is my analyse if 2 live TV Shows, one of them being Q.I a studio based Quiz Panel show, that is all about General knowledge and the search for more. The second being Argumental, a comedy show focused on debating pointless topics in a manner of strange fashions.