This week we got two readings. One of them is DOING IT LIVE! It clearly introduces the whole process of doing a Live Tv show by analyzing The Bill step by step.

First of all, it explains the difference between the single camera and Multi-camera. For normal TV programs, multi-camera is faster, cheaper and more efficient process of production.

Secondly, the whole process of shooting gets different. The Live show has lots of things in common with the theatre. (Lundell 2009, p. 271) The Bill used to be a single camera police drama. Thus, the production process, such as the planning process and the division of labor is changed. For example, the writer needs to become a part of the production. Moreover, the role of scripts supervising for multi-camera also unlikes the single camera. It more focus on making extensive notes on the blocking of each scene. There are a large number of things need to be confirmed before the night of Live, such as the camera position, cutting points, camera scripts shot sizes etc. The Live show can go sequentially only all these parts can be prepared well.

In conclusion, A Live show is a complex process need the preparation close to perfect.

 

The other reading is about the balance between satisfying audience’s desire and professional standards in three aspects, such as formatting, scripting and performing on-air. In other words, create an illusion of the spontaneous, unscripted show for meeting the audience or continue the institution of doing a professional Live show. She argued it’s better to mix both of them together. (Lundell 2009, p. 272) On the one hand, the Live show can add the element of unscripted talk, at least performed as unscripted to both keep control and pleasuring the audience. On the other hand, mix the traditional questioning form to attracting more audience. The ‘strictly business’ is a good example to prove the success of this idea. This reflection will analyze the Live program from three aspects, such as theoretical background, designing the interview and script the interview.

The first area relates to the theoretical background of the Live program. Live program is a representation of the social reality as a central character. (Couldry 2004, p. 354) Besides, exceptions are always with the Live program, such as authenticity, the truth, spontaneity, and vivacity. These are things can get the audience’s attention, make them believe the Live program is real and enjoy the show. (Bourdon 2000, p. 533)

The second significant area that relay to Live program is designing the interview. The designing of the format also shows the tension between the desire of audience and the need of control. For example, the show called The Inquiry adds quick questions as a surprising element and uses the camera skills to meet the audience’s desire.(Lundell 2009, p. 276) Moreover, product a Live show include the live audience can create the sense of a live show and make the whole process more interesting.(Livingstone and Lunt 1994, p. 37) However, it also adds the risk of operating a Live show.

The third area of concern is the script the interview. It is not an easy thing to come up a good question as soon as hear the talk from the politician. Thus, the production team almost write all questions as their script and they do the rehearsal. Additionally, their script is flexible enough to be back to the business when they hear the unexpected answer. (Lundell 2009, p. 280)

In conclusion, the live program is a process with high control and complete preparation. The script is one of the significant parts, even sometimes they performed unscripted.