Iron Brides – Reality TV – The Big Picture

In between shooting, editing and uploading to YouTube, there is time to research and blog. What’s working in reality TV and what’s not? You’d be surprised. Directors actually talk “amongst themselves” about such things. A snapshot of the Iron Brides format is given at www.ironbrides.tv . You can see some of the backstories of our bride candidates at www.youtube.com/ironbrides . But that’s not the “big picture” of where this reality TV show is headed … and it’s all because of our amazing responses and comments at the YouTube site. It’s because of you.

Reality TV and scripted Tv differ in many ways, and there are similarities. A director employs the camera—determining how many cameras are needed, where to place them, and what shots to take—is the same for both reality and scripted shows.  Brenton Covington gave this interview when he was auditioning for the director for a reality TV show.  The vid gives viewers great insights …

As one of the co-creators and the director of Iron Brides, I am in constant contact with camera operators who have expressed an interest in being on the Iron Brides team. I have told them, we need to “watch” … to “see” the same movie … be on the same page for the show to be shot in a way which compels the audience and drives the narrative. A meeting is taking place tomorrow in Nashua NH with another of the camera operators who has expressed interest in joining the Iron Brides’ Production Team. Stay tuned.

Directors use a camera (multiple angles) to drive the story forward in visual terms … capturing the right shot for narrative purposes. It’s true with or without a script. It presents unique and specific challenges.

Example: Unlike quarterbacking a scripted show, with reality TV, it’s one take … no PLAN B’s … get it right the first time. No pressure right?

Pacing is critical. It all happens in real time. The masters of the genre agree directing reality TV is about being able to see the moments developing and listening very carefully to what’s unfolding. Intuition and the ability to anticipate what will happen next is rewarded highly. What a cast member might do and how she might respond determines where the cameras are placed. With reality TV, there isn’t the same kind of control you have with a script.

Directing film or TV is a trade — an art form of its own — it’s not a profession. It’s why I am passionate about it.