‘Ready Camera One’ prompted our class to broaden our creative abilities through utilising multi-camera production, and different ways in which it can be applied beyond the studio. Throughout this studio, I have gained experience learning the practices of ‘live’ to air television, particularly the different roles in which each production entails. More importantly, I have developed critical teamwork skills through the vital role collaboration played throughout the entirety of ‘Ready Camera One’ – without teamwork there would be ‘no show’. This idea translates to our second group assignment whereby teamwork by all groups played a crucial role in the end product of each of the team’s respective ‘Game Shows’. Each game show utilised unique techniques to exhibit the comedic nature of ‘Game show’ Television.

For the production ‘Mr Matchmaker’, I was cast by the team as the ‘Bachelorette’, despite my contribution of horrific acting, I believe the group conducted a well-constructed production that hit every mark in terms of encapsulated the theatrical yet controversial era of 60’s and 70’s ‘Dating Show’ Television. The prerecorded footage that provided the audience an introduction of each of the bachelors was a clever way of utilizing EVS by the team. Furthermore, the team’s writers worked well to deliver a comedic script that mocked these classic tropes and stereotypes seen extensively throughout the dating show genre. Viv’s characterization of the host was brilliant, nodding to the classic over the top and inappropriate hosts seen within the genre. Additionally, Mr Matchmaker reminded me a lot of similar SNL skits where they mock these particular dating shows, examples of skits include ‘Match’d’ and ‘Sex With your Wife’. Overall, I believe the Mr Matchmaker team worked extremely well to produce a well-formatted show, despite the many awkward pauses after EVS/stings, bad acting (from yours truly), KFC and Morbius references, I believe these worked in favour of the narrative in which the team was attempting to convey.

The production ‘Are you Smart, Even?’ effectively delivered a hilarious interpretation of the ‘Quiz Show’ genre that relied specifically on the comedic elements rather than the guest’s academic ability. This stylistic choice proved engaging for me as an audience member, in comparison to other stock-standard quiz shows, like The Chase or Who Wants to Be a Millionnaire. The characterisation the host Charlie Ford reminded me a lot of Hard Quiz’s Tom Gleeson, Connor took on Gleeson’s humour and witty harsh comebacks in order to compliment the comedic narrative in which the writers were attempting to convey. Furthermore, the lighting in which the team chose proved complimentary to the quiz show genre. The use of lighting – red symbolising wrong and green symbolising right, added visual engagement for audiences and further enhanced the production value and quiz show aesthetic of the show. Overall, ‘Are you Smart, Even?’ as mentioned on the studio website, was a stepping stone for our final production of ‘The Charlie Show’ through its comedic elements and the casting of Charlie Ford, which acted as the foreground of our larger production.

The studio I have been allocated to reflect on is ‘Eco Video’. Whilst exploring the studios website, I identified the studio’s focus on highlighting the ecosystem through stylistic film techniques that serve to capture nature’s underrated beauty. One production that stood out to me was ‘Between Worlds’ by Jess and Olivia, their multi-screen video art piece was such a delight to watch as it depicted the beautiful characteristics of the ocean as well as its connection to people, focusing on 3 subjects and their specific connections. One aspect I loved was the compisitioning of the 3 frames, this was easy to follow and aesthetically was pleasing to the eye. Additionally, the inclusion of the voiceovers made the video piece more intimate, as if you were there with them in the ocean sharing their passion. Furthermore, another video piece I particularly enjoyed was ‘Framing The Hill’ by Oscar, Tillie and Auley, this narrative piece showcased the lush bushland of You Yang National Park, whilst following the journey of a photographer who loses their camera and develops a connection with the environment and nature overall. One element in the piece i enjoyed was the long-duration shots of the bushland that provoked a sense of appreciation of the environment for me. Furthermore, their use of Atmospheric sound complimented the overall aesthetic and vibe of the film. Ultimately, i believe the two presentations encapsulated the essence of the studio brief, showcasing nature at its rawest form.