The class time was spent this week doing a final run-through of the script, correcting any grammatical and logical errors. We made sure that Aaron could read through the edited script without any issues. Later, we also spent time completing the safety checklist for Friday. I noted down some final changes to the graphics and EVS footage that will have to be added or replaced on Friday.

On Friday, our group rehearsed first. We had a different desk this time, it came with a lighting strip, the colour of which can be adjusted. We came up with the idea to change the lighting colour in relation to our gag of singing the national anthem. To do this, the lighting manager, as well as an assistant, must coordinate the timing to alter the colour. Additionally, we decided that we should have an announcer introducing and hyping up the audience before the show began. This meant that we had another mic in the control room for James to use, the audio was then sent to the floor so the audience could hear him.

When the time came for the taping, we noticed an issue with the lighting. The lights were not shining onto Aaron’s face properly, resulting in shadows whenever he leaned forwards. We paused the taping after an EVS played and started from the beginning when the lighting was fixed.

Insufficient lighting on the host’s face

The announcement made on our second take had a mistake, therefore, we would have to edit together the two take we have in total. The lighting during the national anthem segment was done well, by overlaying the EVS footage of the flag, we made the set look more red than usual. During the national anthem segment, to our surprise, people audience stood up for it too, however, that moment was not captured. I believe this moment would have been better if we switched the vision over the audience camera.

Overall, the execution of our segment was successful to a live audience. There were many laughs that could be heard from the control room. I think this is due to the time we spent giving the audience sufficient background on the issue and showing relevant clips to them before making the jokes. For our satire to work, we needed to create a sense of community amongst those who get the joke (McClennon, 2011).

I can not imagine doing this from the ground up without the collaboration with the rest of my group. Each and every member contributed to a crucial role of the taping and development of the script.

McClennen, Sophia (book excerpt). “Satire as Public Pedagogy” America According to Colbert: Satire as Public Pedagogy. Palgrave Macmillan, 2011. pp. 71-95.