Intelligent reality shows?
Apr 24, 2012 19:36:24 GMT
Post by Deleted on Apr 24, 2012 19:36:24 GMT
I have to admit that I have been caught up more than once in the French "Idol" show in the past, because it did reveal some good talent and some of the winners became real stars. However, the show wore out its welcome after about 5 or 6 seasons and no longer exists here.
Naturally, a lot of the other reality shows ("Big Brother" type stuff) have been absolute crap. Weird bargain basement offspring of this sort of programme still manage to exist on some of the minor cable channels.
But the concept is out there, and some people dream of making the concept into a show of higher quality. The BBC found a possibility a year or two ago, and French TV bought the concept this year. The idea: two secondary schools are chosen to put on a high class performance of Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet. Romeo and Juliet will be chosen from different schools, and the other 20 or so roles will be shared between the schools.
I don't know how the British version went, but the French version is fascinating. They used a high school specialised in theatrical arts and another one specialised in accounting. Besides casting the roles, they also auditioned dancers and musicians for a modern concept that had not yet been determined. The preparation time was four months before a unique one time only performance in one of the most prestigious theatres of Paris.
Both the dedication and the fuck-ups were portrayed in the programme, the students being thrown off course by their personal lives or others who suddenly sparked incredibly at the discovery of a true theatrical vocation.
In other words, for once it was an intelligent programme that gives hope for the future. Why don't we get more things like this on our screens?
For people who master French, a 25-minute report:
Naturally, a lot of the other reality shows ("Big Brother" type stuff) have been absolute crap. Weird bargain basement offspring of this sort of programme still manage to exist on some of the minor cable channels.
But the concept is out there, and some people dream of making the concept into a show of higher quality. The BBC found a possibility a year or two ago, and French TV bought the concept this year. The idea: two secondary schools are chosen to put on a high class performance of Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet. Romeo and Juliet will be chosen from different schools, and the other 20 or so roles will be shared between the schools.
I don't know how the British version went, but the French version is fascinating. They used a high school specialised in theatrical arts and another one specialised in accounting. Besides casting the roles, they also auditioned dancers and musicians for a modern concept that had not yet been determined. The preparation time was four months before a unique one time only performance in one of the most prestigious theatres of Paris.
Both the dedication and the fuck-ups were portrayed in the programme, the students being thrown off course by their personal lives or others who suddenly sparked incredibly at the discovery of a true theatrical vocation.
In other words, for once it was an intelligent programme that gives hope for the future. Why don't we get more things like this on our screens?
For people who master French, a 25-minute report: