fake greetings, or pre-set-up cameras

[J. P. Gilliver]

I am most aware of it on things like "long lost family", where the
presenter is seen entering the home of the participant - from inside the
home; but minor versions are everywhere, such as this morning where the
presenter mounted a pea-harvesting machine (similar in size to a
combine), and was greeted by its usual operator - but the greeting was
seen from cameras already in the cab.

I understand that a lot of TV involves such subterfuge, but I find these
deceptions fairly obvious and thus irritating. Surely their time should
have passed?

(Not sure if there's much "tech" about this, sorry. Maybe aspects of the
camera[s].)

[MB]

Post by J. P. Gilliver
I understand that a lot of TV involves such subterfuge, but I find these
deceptions fairly obvious and thus irritating. Surely their time should
have passed?

So what alternative do you have?


Presenter carrying a handheld camera, police style camera clipped to his
jacket, cameraman following him around in 'Challenge Anneka' style?

Don't warn the person in advance and have everything done spontaneously?

Presumably also dispense with the multiple shots from different
viewpoints as well?

By the way I notice a few weeks ago that Nicky Campbell said he never
looks at any photographs in advance so he sees for the first time at the
same time as the victim.

At least he claimed that.

[J. P. Gilliver]

Post by MB

Post by J. P. Gilliver
I understand that a lot of TV involves such subterfuge, but I find
these deceptions fairly obvious and thus irritating. Surely their
time should have passed?

So what alternative do you have?
Presenter carrying a handheld camera, police style camera clipped to
his jacket, cameraman following him around in 'Challenge Anneka' style?
Don't warn the person in advance and have everything done spontaneously?

I don't have an easy answer - but saying "and then we called on", or
similar, and showing the presenter going up to the door and ringing the
bell, then seeing - from inside - the door being opened and them being
greeted, seems so corny.

It happened in so many prog.s in a short time last night that I was
prompted to make the post. I think it's the obvious pretence - the
people involved are not actors, so I am not criticising them - that the
visit is a surprise, and they haven't met the person or anyone to do
with the prog. before (or at least haven't for a while). Not just LLF -
almost any "documentary", where the local person - sometimes expert (in
the field being discussed, not presenting) - is being "visited". Shop,
home, ...

Post by MB
Presumably also dispense with the multiple shots from different
viewpoints as well?
By the way I notice a few weeks ago that Nicky Campbell said he never
looks at any photographs in advance so he sees for the first time at
the same time as the victim.
At least he claimed that.

Would like to believe so, though the above doesn't make me very
convinced. But he's probably at the mercy of the producers.

[MB]

Post by J. P. Gilliver
I don't have an easy answer - but saying "and then we called on", or
similar, and showing the presenter going up to the door and ringing the
bell, then seeing - from inside - the door being opened and them being
greeted, seems so corny.

Would it be any less corny to have a camera outside and someone ringing
the door bell then introducing themselves to a stranger.

[J. P. Gilliver]

Post by MB

Post by J. P. Gilliver
I don't have an easy answer - but saying "and then we called on", or
similar, and showing the presenter going up to the door and ringing
the bell, then seeing - from inside - the door being opened and them
being greeted, seems so corny.

Would it be any less corny to have a camera outside and someone ringing
the door bell then introducing themselves to a stranger.

Well, for "Long Lost Family", where they're basically reporting back (to
someone they've spoken to before) on what progress they've made (and
presumably only when they have made some: if none, I presume it doesn't
get into the prog.), yes - though it isn't a stranger. For other prog.s
(and for LLF itself for that matter), do we need the "greet/meet" scene
at all?

[Paul Ratcliffe]

Post by J. P. Gilliver
I don't have an easy answer - but saying "and then we called on", or
similar, and showing the presenter going up to the door and ringing the
bell, then seeing - from inside - the door being opened and them being
greeted, seems so corny.

Like making the tea? Was that not what happened to you?

[J. P. Gilliver]

Post by Paul Ratcliffe

Post by J. P. Gilliver
I don't have an easy answer - but saying "and then we called on", or
similar, and showing the presenter going up to the door and ringing the
bell, then seeing - from inside - the door being opened and them being
greeted, seems so corny.

Like making the tea? Was that not what happened to you?

Wow, if you're remembering that I was once bearded in my lair, you've
got a good memory! That was about the non-direct-debit surcharge on
utility bills. I don't _think_ I made them tea - I think the finished
article did feature some stock footage of a gas hob, and possibly me
turning off something on my central heating controller, since it made a
nice loud click. But at least that was plausible.