TV Genres - Reality TV Show

Reality Talent Shows

There is a huge variety of Reality Talent shows, some of these may include:

-Britain’s Got Talent

-The X-Factor

-The Voice

-The Apprentice

-Master-Chef

-American Idol

-Who Wants To Be a Millionaire?

Format

Reality Talents shows typically run in a series however some are continually broadcasted. The ones that are continually broadcasted are typically game/quiz shows. These shows are usually aired at the prime time. This is simply due to the fact that these TV shows are typically for the mainstreamer and most people are likely to be watching at this time. This time ranges from 7 o’clock onwards to 10 o’clock due to the fact that at this time people have gotten home from work or college. Throughout many Reality Talent shows, we are now presented with a backstory for the favourite contenders. We see into their past life in order for us to relate to them more. Throughout these talent shows we see the contestants development as they begin as somebody who comes from a poorer background but then they end up singing on stage. Typically coming towards the end of the series we see them go back to their hometown to show how far they have came along.

Appeals

Usually the mainstreamer would be the one to watch these kinds of TV shows. This is due to the fact that after they have watched these shows they are able to go out and talk to their friends and family about the events that have unfolded on the TV show. But people would also watch these kinds of TV shows to personally identify with one of the characters. Reality Talent shows gathers people from across the country so there is likely to be somebody who is from your hometown competing. This will make want to watch the show even more due to the fact that you will be more likely to relate to that person. The production values typically are very high for TV shows of this genre. This is due to the fact that they can afford high production values due to the audience that they reel in. You know that they have high production values due to the venues that everything takes place in and also the typical judges that take part in the show. These judges will most likely want a high wage due to the fact that they are mainly big name celebrities.

Target Audience

I believe that this genre of TV show is for the groupies and for the cynics. I think that it is for groupies due to the fact that people watch these mainly so they are able to fit in. I believe that it is for the cynics due to the fact that there is a typical group of people that complain about the show when it is over, they complain about how the show has been fixed due to the fact that their favourite contestant didn’t win the whole competition. I think that people watch this in order to personally identify with some of the contestants that partake in these TV shows due to the fact that they come from similar areas or backgrounds.

Opening Sequence

I am going to use X-Factors opening sequence, as it is arguably the one of the UK’s most popular Reality Talent shows. In this sequence we see a massive bold “X” floating throughout the galaxy and through London until it eventually stops with the word “The” appearing above it, and “Factor” appearing below it. This X floating throughout the galaxy is showing us that it is searching for somebody or something until it arrives in London. This is telling us that people in the UK must have “The X – Factor”.  The music that is in it has been used for a long time, it is quite an up-beat soundtrack so it will get the audience in the mood, this up-beat music sets a pretty light tone for the TV show.

Setting

The settings for all of these TV shows are major performing buildings. This is so that they can have a cram a huge audience into the building and have a big stage for the contestant to stand on. In front of the contestant sits 3 or 4 judges at a table. They are there to judge them on how good they are. These Reality TV shows only ever visit the most popular cities in the country due to the fact that they can reel in a bigger amount of contestants. You can see that these talent shows only take place in big named cities and concert hall in images below.

Technical Codes

There are many different camera angles that are used in these kinds of shows. First of all before anything takes place we see establishing shots of the location that the show is going to be set in that week. When everything takes place we usually see everything through the best sort of camera angles. So for example if somebody is performing gymnastics we would see them wide shots due to the fact that we can see everything taking place however if a singer is performing then they will be shot from mainly close ups and medium shots. The editing that has been used in the show also depends on the act. I will use X-Factor as an example. If the person, who is performing, is awful then you should expect there to be jump cuts between them performing and the judging slamming their hands on their buzzers. However if the person ,who is performing, is good then you should expect faded transitions with the camera mainly focusing on them and then the judges staring at them in amazement.