STUDIO PRODUCTION: THIRD REHEARSAL

In today's session, we continued to block through the sections of the show. My main aims today was the block through the round up and work through the graphics and split screen (Old to New).

With George Lock's section of the show, he begun to struggle with Steals of the Season as now we've introduced cueing in the stings, graphics, lower thirds and music which is a lot to work through especially while trying to shoot through the section. We finally blocked through Fashion Fails as well, trying out the handheld footage which didn't work well as first as there wasn't clear communication between the Director and the Lead Camera as when they were clear to take the camera to handheld, so there were block throughs where the camera would suddenly rock all over as they were setting up. However, this was adjusted and mended as we went onward.

With my section of the show, Old to New ran nice and smoothly, I tried cutting to singles of the Presenters as it went through but found it worked better just sticking to a 2 shot until the model enters. Split screen worked fine for this section as well and works with the camera plans I set up.

DIY I had our stand in for Bonnie sitting there ready during the Presenters PTC into this section and the model set up during the Old to New VT as well, the camera shots worked here. Del suggested not having Bonnie come in until after her VT as she isn't needed to be seen by the audience till then. Working through the rehearsal, we also had the dress now for Bonnie's interview. Photos haven't been sent over yet though. Del and the Producers questioned why we are having the dress on set as our Stand-in wasn't talking about the dress and it's a waste of a shot. I explained this is simply because the Stand-In doesn't know about the dress so she won't talk as much about it, whereas when Bonnie is in she will have plenty to talk about.

We had someone as a stand-in for our Drag Queen and tried to block through their performance. This didn't work though due to the fact we still don't know what the performance will be and how it will look. Blocking through the round up again, it went much smoother this time and all worked apart from the end shot I got from Camera 2 (wide of entire set).

This may have been because we don't have our set in yet, but I just didn't feel like it was working as an end shot. Although I did learn from this rehearsal that I want the round-up much more lively and energetic as just standing and clapping was boring to watch. 

One of the main issues we've had through rehearsals that was addressed today, was TalkBack. We've had countless issues with Camera department talking and interrupting Floor Managers on TalkBack and it got to the point we've now requested that only Floor Managers talk to the gallery and camera answer by tilting their camera. Also, the mannequin from Bonnies section wasn't removed when needed, which is during our Drag Queen's performance.