Hi everyone! Helen just informed me of what you've done today..would it be okay if someone writes the idea of the game down on the blog? i'm a little confused, just need it written down! Sorry to be a pain!
Also, one of my friends works in production on the X Factor, Britains Got Talent, Got to Dance and Must Be The Music, and i wrote to her to ask her some questions about the contestants from her perspective. Obviously, she can't give too much away as it would risk her job, but below is the questions i asked, and the answers she could give me.. hope this gives a little more insight into 'behind the scenes' on one of these shows...
- Before going on the show, are contestants briefed about what the outcome could be (eg media attention/infamy etc.) And after the contestants have been on the show, is there any post-show therapy or councilling available to those in distress or to those who have been subjected to media attention
All the contestants turn up to the pre-auditions only knowing from experience like you and me what can happen. Its only when they progress through the show at the later stages (ie. the bit where they will possibly be on television) that they do this sort of thing.
BGT and X Factor are much bigger shows obviously and basically what happens is there are appx 5 researchers on the programme who will be talking to the contestants throughout the day if they have any worries - they might not talk to everyone because even at this stage its still appx 40 people a day to be seen. There is also a child psychologist on the shows at all times who speaks to families with young entrants etc about anything and everything.
When X, BGT reaches the later stages like the live shows, each act is assigned a researcher. So basically this researcher will look after the act aswell as Cheryl, Simon etc at all times.
On smaller shows like GTD there are people called 'contestant producers' who talk to the acts when they get through to the shortlist about things like infamy and press questions.
- in the production process, how are people edited to be shown in a good/bad light, and what do the producers look for in a 'good' contestant (eg. one that is an amazing singer, or one that will cause drama/public attention)
Okay so this is where I have to be careful! Bascially they are talent shows, so producers are always looking for talent first and foremost. But what people have to remember is that aswell as it being a talent show its also an entertainment TV show. So people go in knowing what sort of things are shown on the show so yeah if someone is really really bad/funny they can be put through for entertainment value but this is NEVER children (below 18) and believe most people who is put through for this reason are generally very aware of it but go anyway. (They say things like "oh i know im put through because im the silly one") The shows are very unlikely to be mean, and im not saying that because Im biased!
If someone is put through for this reason, it is generally because although they are bad/funny the audience will like/encourage them so they will come out of it having a good experience anyway (and making good tv).
- particularly on the x-factor..how many pre-rounds do contestants have to go through before seeing the judges?3 stages. I cant really elaborate on this much!
- after the audition process, who do the contestants talk to (eg. x factor dermot o'learey.. but is there any other member of the team they can speak to if need be?)They only really speak to Dermot/Ant n Dec on camera, they dont really chat to him generally because he'll always be busy with others. Theres always people around to speak to, Researchers, Assistant Producers, Child psychologist generally. Its a massive producton team and everyone makes sure that first and foremost the auditionees are okay they are main priority and the shows revolve around them!
These are just the questions i could think of on the spot... if anyone can think of anything else then she is mroe than happy to answer more questions for us.
Hope tomorrow goes well. Miss you all!
Suzanne
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