I haven't been around a TV for a while and I house
sitted for someone a couple of weeks ago. They had
cable. I was enthralled by the reality TV shows, Storage
Wars, Auction House, American Chopper, American
Restoration and a couple of others. The thing that
amazed me was how the shows main participants would turn
to the camera every once in a while and take the viewer
into their confidence. For example, they might lower
their voice and say something like: "Bob doesn't know
Charlie moved the hammer," or "the customer wants this
done in a week, but I'm going to have to set back other
projects to get it done." This was powerful production
work. The show's character's conversations with the
camera were honest, unnerved and bringing the audience
directly into the show. Phenomenal camera work.
Another major part of the appeal to me of these and
other shows is the work place routines. I used to enjoy
Barney Miller and Hill Street Blues for the same reason.
It was a view into a work place and I could relate to
this from my workplace. I see an extension of this in
several of these shows like American Restoration and
American Chopper. Not only do I get to see how a sheet
metal pounder or sand blaster is used, but I see the day
to day conflicts and responsibilities similar to what I
experience in my own work environment.
So I'm wondering: how far can we take the politics.
Can a show take a viewer into their confidence a few
times and then turn on them, like people do in real life
workplaces. Characters take the viewer into their
confidence a few times, like, "Eddie and Paul fight alot,
but... " or "If he doesn't get his act together I'm gonna
..". And then, all of sudden, there's gossip about you.
I guess the show would have to figure out a way of giving
the viewer a name, or tag, or something, and then all of
a sudden you, the viewer are ostracized for something or
another, because there was a comment or gossip made about
you or something you did. Maybe you were supposed to
watch something and it moved wrong or something.
I think this new camera technique has the potential to
open up some doors. I'm already seeing it used on other
programs. Get amateurs to talk honestly to a camera is no
easy trick. Plus the camera and production crew have to
trail these guys all day, with chords, cameras and
microphones, and then get everything to look natural.
I'm sure it's not easy and were witnessing some new
production styles developing that are going to take a
major role in the industry.
