Studio Production: 'The Last Leg' Research

Similar to my analysis of Are You Smarter Than A 10 Year Old?, the entertainment based show similar to Teach 'Em A Lesson, I decided to analyse a factual studio production. This being the pilot episode of The Last Leg, a live broadcast show that discusses the events of the last week. Focusing on vision mixing, I analysed the following...

• Differences between a live show and a pre-recorded show
• The style of camera shots and how they are held / cut
• The pace of the show through cutting between cameras etc.
• The amount of stings, GFX (graphics) and VT's (video tapes) and how they are transitioned

Live vs. Pre-recorded

• The first thing I noticed when watching the live broadcast, was that VT's are used to not only provide the viewer with it's content, but to allow time for presenters and guests to move into new positions, such as the first VT allowing for the three presenters to move from their first positions standing up to their seated positions, without the viewer at home needlessly having to watch this. Something that may go unnoticed by the viewer, but is crucial for the entire production team and cast.
• The Last Leg has their own 'coming up' segment early in the show - similar to Are You Smarter Than A 10 Year Old?, however by showing archived footage of news headlines from the week and pre-recorded VT's (such as interviews) with the presenter explaining the subjects that will be reviewed. Proving that the show doesn't need to be pre-recorded to have a peak into the episode's content.
• An interesting feature of the show is the use of the presenters discussing live Tweets from the public about the show as they are posted live, allowing the show to be as fresh and up to date as possible.

An example of a live Tweet being discussed on the show

Cameras

• Similar to Are You Smarter Than A 10 Year Old?, the opening camera shot is through a rigged camera that travels across the set, moving with the presenters and panning across the studio, holding on one singular shot for the entire opening. This is likely to be for the allowance of all other cameras to be ready for their positions on the to-be-seated presenters.
• It is evident that a large quantity of cuts between cameras are based off of reactions, for example a shot being held on the audience when they are loudly cheering, and cutting away from them when they die down. As expected in a live show, compared to a pre-recorded show where the most lively clips of the audience can be selected.
• Aside from the opening shot, most shots remain static and focused on particular subjects of the set, this including one mid shot of the main presenter at his desk, a mid shot of the two co-hosts on the sofa, a medium close-up of each of their faces, a wide shot and mid shot of the audience and a rigged shot of the set. This allows a lot of variety and coverage, without making the viewers head spin by consistently using a travelling rigged camera shot.

Pace

• In comparison to pre-recorded programmes, the pace of the show is much slower, the cuts between cameras are at a slower pace and heavily based on the reactions of the audience and the dialogue between presenters. Creating an in-the-moment atmosphere.

Stings, GFX & VT's

• The show opens with an approximately 30 seconds long opening VT that introduces the presenters and cuts to the opening shot in the studio. A clever transition from VT to the first shot as they walk from one side of a foggy doorway in the VT to the other side of the doorway in the studio.
• After the first VT, the producers make it evident that the show is live with a 'LIVE' lower third GFX that remains static on-screen for this shot and then wipes out, this reappears .
• The other GFX of the show consist of lower thirds with the show's Twitter address, hash tag subjects, public tweets to the show wiping on and off screen as the presenter talks about these features on the show. Along with archived images appearing full frame. Giving the show a large variety of visuals to cut to.
• The show's VT's consist of a 'coming up' segment that also introduces the name of the show, archived news and internet footage and pre-recorded interviews on location with one of the presenters. Allowing the show's crew to talk to the presenters if needed and make any changes necessary during this time.

The 'LIVE' lower third that features in the show

What I've learned

I've learned that for a show to be well structured with no visable mistakes to the viewer, it simply needs to be well organised and rehearsed, it doesn't need to be pre-recorded to achieve this. I've also noticed that ever so slight 'messy' cuts between cameras and slight delays add to the charm of a live studio production in comparison to pre-recorded material.

As a vision mixer, this programme is proof that one needs to be well prepared and organised, extremely well rehearsed, good under pressure and quick to react to the material on camera for the show to run smoothly and capture each moment.


HERE is the pilot episode of The Last Leg that I reviewed.