First Day with Host | Rehearsal #3 ~ SP

This rehearsal with the first one we had with the host, so our aim was to run through the show several times. We decided this would be a good idea so the crew could get used to what shots we were doing, and the host was able to get a lot of practise.

To start the day, before the host arrived, we decided to bring the set forward slightly. I decided to do this because I didn't want a lot of dead space behind the audience, meaning if the set was more forward, the audience seating would look fuller. Doing this also meant that there was space behind the set to put props for Round 3 and 4 and any other objects and tables that we didn't want the audience to see. Where we had the set before, there was barely any space behind for storage, so I'm very happy with the decision that I made.
This also gave us the incentive to work on the audience seating. Last week we came up with a rough plan, but as I've been thinking about it, I'm not sure it would look amazing or work that well. Myself and Imogen will keep talking about this, but we know roughly what our plans are. It will be a lot easier for us to visualise it once the set is in next week.

Before the start of our rehearsals, Josh went through the script with George and showed him whereabouts he will be standing for each round. This did take some time, so it meant that we only managed to fit 2 rehearsals in for the morning, however it was a good thing to do as it meant George knew where to stand. As George was doing this, we had the stand ins ready for the rehearsals meaning once George was finished we can start rehearsals straight away.
For this rehearsal we had a few rough VT's that we used, in order to test how they would work and show up on the monitors, and also for Rosie to have a rough idea of time.
During rehearsals, we also didn't have talk back for George, so I had a clip mic and was talking to him through headphones that he was wearing. This worked well, however it was quite difficult for me as when the scores were announced I had to juggle between telling him the scores quickly and cueing the animation of the graphics on screen. This was tricky, but I know it won't be like that for the live show, so I'm not worried about it.
Also, camera 5 isn't in the best position, and due to not knowing the exact audience seating plan, we haven't got a permanent place for camera 5 to be positioned. As I was cutting between cameras 3 and 5, I noticed and Del pointed out that they looked very similar. I then made the decision not to cut between those two cameras as it would look like a jump cut which wasn't the style we were going for.

After our two rehearsals in the morning, we decided to fit three into the afternoon and they had scheduled times. I found this really helpful as we all knew when we were starting and it meant Rosie could count the time down, which is something she will be doing for the live show.

Beginning our first rehearsal in the afternoon, despite the counting down from Rosie, no one seemed prepared or ready to go 'live'. As I stood by the titles VT, the VT operator told me I had to wait even though he should've been prepared earlier, and nobody seemed prepared. People on the floor were still walking around and not being in their positions, and as the titles started to play it was like a mad panic from some of the crew. I knew when the titles were going to finish, so I took order and cut into the studio, sticking with the rehearsal time that we were set to start at. It felt like I was the only one ready to go 'live', so when I kept going with the show and didn't stop to restart, everyone fell into order and did what they had to do.
Even though that part of the rehearsal is a blur now, as I was really tying to concentrate on doing my job, Del said that I did a great job and thought I handled that situation quite well. Previously, Del had told me that you can't prepare or teach a student for some of the things directors have to do or deal with, and this is one of those examples.
What that did teach me is, even when the rest of the crew aren't prepared or aren't ready, even when they should be, as director, I have to take order and either decided to reset the show, or carry on with it and show that I can take control.

The fourth rehearsal of the day went smoothly and everyone was prepared this time, which was good. We recorded the last rehearsal of the day, so we could watch it back afterwards and discuss as a group  any problems we might have and things we need to improve on. I personally felt like the last rehearsal we did was the worst one of the day, it did however prepare us for a tie breaker which was rigged by the contestants. This was a good thing as it prepared myself and Josh, the producer, if that were to happen in the live show, however since I was the one talking to George it did seem pretty hectic towards the end of the show.
It also prepared us for anything unexpected that might happen, during this rehearsal the first fire alarm went off, which meant we weren't sure whether to stop what we were doing or carry on. Alex told us to carry on and he would go and find out what was going on. This fire alarm definitely threw us off, both in the gallery and the floor, but we carried on through it which is the best thing we could've done.

When the rehearsal finished, we went into the studio floor and sat down as a group to watch the rehearsal. There were definitely a few mistakes, some that we didn't make in the previous rehearsals, but they were things that we could improve.
I think we are all very prepared for the show next week, and although there are still are few things I am worried about, like the set, and a few things that need to be improved, I still feel quite happy.
I feel a lot more confident with directing the show, and I'm definitely feeling a lot more positive which is something that I lacked in the past few weeks.