The Cube Application Form

The Cube Application Form

The Host

Worksheet 4: The Host

Aim: To explore the role and impact of the host

Biographies:

Vernon Kay (Born 1974 English television presenter Radio DJ Former model All Star Family Fortunes (2006–present), Beat the Star (2008–2009) Splash! (2013–2014). The Whole 19 Yards - ITV 2010, Home For the Holidays - Channel 4 - 2011 Let's Get Gold - ITV mini-series - 2012 1000 Heartbeats – 2015 – game show He also presented his own BBC Radio 1 show between 2004 and 2012. Kay currently presents his own show on Radio X.

Richard  Hammond (born 1969) British presenter, writer, and journalist, Co-hosted Top Gear - motoring programme BBC Two - from 2002 until 2015 Brainiac: Science Abuse (2003–2006), Total Wipeout (2009–2012) Planet Earth Live (2012). In 2016, Hammond was scheduled to be presenting The Grand Tour television series to be produced by W. Chump & Sons. The show will be co-presented with his former Top Gear co-hosts, Clarkson and May, as an exclusive distributed via Amazon Video to Amazon Prime customers.

Phillip Schofield (born April 1962) Co-hosts This Morning -ITV lifestyle programme -, s since 2002. Dancing on Ice (2006–2014). He currently presents these ITV game shows: The Cube (2009–present), All Star Mr & Mrs (2008–present) You're Back in the Room (2015–present).

Ben Shephard (born 1974) English television presenter journalist Presenter on the now defunct breakfast programme GMTV, The Krypton Factor (2009–2010), Tipping Point (2012–present) Ninja Warrior UK (2015–present). Since April 2014, Shephard has co-hosted the ITV breakfast show Good Morning Britain, alongside Susanna Reid and Kate Garraway.

•           Have a look at the images of the four presenters: Vernon Kay, Richard Hammond, Philip Schofield and Ben Shephard.  What do they have in common? What do some of them have in common? Is there an odd one out?

•           Have a look at the biographies.  Are there any more similarities you can point out from this information? Any other patterns emerging?

•           Fill in the grid – what is the role of the host, i.e. what does the host actually have to do; what do you think are the qualities of a good host?

Role of the host

Qualities of a good host

The role of a TV game show host is to control the show and to keep it going if it was to start going down hill and people getting bored. They are also needed to be able to talk to the contestants to see how they are feeling and to give the audience an understanding of who they are so they can relate to the contestant and even persuade them to try the show. Also need to read out the questions and tasks to the contestants so they know what they are doing. They are needed to tell the audience what the contestants have to do and introduce the game show to everyone.

Funny- make the audience laugh and feel like they are involved. Friendly- to contestants so they can relax and feel calm to give them a better chance of winning. Intelligent- especially in the category the TV show they are hosting to give the audience a better understanding, an example being Alexander Armstrong on Pointless as at the end he always gets the rest of the board right.  Motivated- they must be able to give the contestant a helping boost of confidence so they feel they have a chance to win by giving them advice.

Set Design and Lighting

Worksheet 3: Set Design and Lighting

Aim: To explore the importance of set design and lighting

Features of a set:

Drawing and annotation of set: A Question of Sport

  

Type of Lighting	Effect
High-Key Lighting	Upbeat and lifting and is shown on the host
Low-Key Lighting	Shown when person comes of  silhouette
Spotlighting	Highlights contestants and cut out audience.
Back Lighting / Silhouetting	Mystery, leaves the audience wondering when they had to guess the person
Colour filters	At the end it goes from bright colours like oranges to darker blue colours.
Floor Lights	Changes from different colours depending on the mood
Neon strips	Used on the floor to make happy and tense atmosphere
Changes in light	Used when silhouette changes from dark to the person.

Generic Conventions of Television Game Shows

Generic Conventions of Television Game Shows

 

Definition: A Game show is a programme, on television or radio, where contestant(s) demonstrate knowledge by answering questions and has a competitive element.

 

Generic Convention	Game Show 1: All Star Family Fortunes	Game Show 2: The Price is Right US	Game Show 3: Family Feud	Game Show 4: Total Wipeout
Set in a television studio. Set design often includes a podium behind which the contestant stands.  Light is often an important element of the mise-en-scene with lights dimmed or spotlights used to heighten dramatic tension.	Families are behind a podium. Warm Illuminated	Very Bright colours   Podiums for contestants In a TV studio Very light	Families behind podiums Vibrant colours	Not in a studio No podiums as it is course
The host is sometimes a key element of the show and is often someone whose ‘A list days’ are over; a TV star from a different TV genre; a comedian.  The host often holds cards as an aide-memoire for introducing contestants. Traditionally the host is male, accompanied by a ‘glamorous assistant’.	Vernon Kay popular UK host conventionaly handsome Northern- accent- register- friendly, handsome	Drew Carey at present Well known in US Friendly Funny	Steve Harvey Very popular and well known around the world Funny Friendly	Richard Hammond Popular in UK Funny Co Host is Amanda Byram Fairly attractive
Contestants apply to join the show and vary in age and background.  They are selected because they have something about them, which will help make the show successful or are selected at random. Contestants are sometimes selected from the studio audience.	Celebrity family contestants Suits prime time slot, wide representations	Always happy and jumpy and dancing Different ages Contestants change when someone loses	Family contestants Sometime are famous	Open to anyone except children Celebrities sometimes go on it in Specials
The games can vary from physical tasks to practical or puzzle-solving tasks -	No games	Guessing the price of items. Other mini-games which include money	No games	Different courses for the competitors to do
The questions (if it is a quiz/gameshow hybrid) can vary depending on the target audience.  They are usually set independently. Contestants usually know what type of questions they’ll be asked; often start easy and get harder. Technology has increased the way audiences and contestants can see & respond to questions.	Non-specific answers Simple Mainstream Relatable Wide appeal	Only question the host asks is related to “How much is the item?”	Questions asked based on a survey Non-specific answers Simple and mainstream Relatable appeal	No questions
The prizes can be large e.g. cars and holidays or small e.g. a glass bowl. Sometimes the prize is the title of being the champion. Usually even the losers go away with something even if it just the experience.	Money to charity £30,000 Charity sells Moral exhibitionism?	Different luxury items includes cars, holidays and appliances	Money for the non- famous families	Trophy Money £10,000
Gimmicks or catchphrases are often used to make each show original and become part of the national consciousness.	‘Our survey says…’ The sound of the “X” when they get a wrong answer.	“The Price is Right” Said every time they get it correct.	None	No catchphrases
Music often used first as a catchy theme tune and then as mood music to increase tension or to signal different parts of the show.	Up beat Catchy	Upbeat	Upbeat Catchy	Very intense and dramatic