How to Film a Talk Show Pilot

capitalP

capitalP

Veteran
Someone approached me to help them put a pilot together for a talk show(like Oprah, Ricky Lake type of show). I have no experience in this field. I made sure I told this person this. But they still want to use me. I told them I would gather as much information as this will be a learning experience for me to help him put the best possible pilot together.

Just wondering has anyone on here ever film this type of project, if so I would appreciate some tips and pointers. Some do's and don'ts. Even if you haven't shot one, I still would love to hear some input.

I've been doing my research, watching some talk shows and stuff, but nothing will prepare you then the actual production of one. So far here's what I;m thinking about doing, let me know what you think...

1. Since I only own one camera package, I was thinking of telling the person to get another camera package because I think it will be very difficult to shoot this with one camera. The reason is, I plan on getting the host reaction along with the Guest and the audience. So One camera would be stationary on the guest and host and another on the audience and possibly use the audience camera to get close ups of some of the guest?

2. Audio, this will be a discussion type of show, where the host will interact with the guest, I only own two lav Mics, so I figured I'd put one Mic on each Guest(if there are two at once) and have the Host hold a regular wireless Mic? Or should I maybe get an additional Lav Mic to put on the Host?

3. Script, I know a lot of these talk shows don't really have a script but I'm sure there is a format, so I advised this individual to come up with the format and I will help him with it the best I can.

That's all I have so far, but I'm sure there's a lot more to it. The budget for this will be $3500. I will get half up front and the rest once edited.

I originally charged $2500 just to come and shoot, but this person basically wanted me to assist him in the whole production process. So I charged $3500.

Sorry for the long post, I just want to make sure I'm fully prepared when I tackle this. Thanks in advance for the input.
 
I'm glad you posted this here. I'm working on one as well and have also been gathering information on how to do it. I'm also looking for a more unique format than what's standard. I won't have an audience though.

I was thinking of using one camera for the host and 1 stationary camera and 1 camera on a slider for the guests since there will be from 3-6 guests in front of the camera at all times (its kind of a group talk type show... kinda like "The View" but interesting. hahahahaha)

This reminds me, I'll have a Mic issue too. I have one LAV system and a couple of shotgun mics.
 
CapitalP,

You're going to need a minimum of four cameras.


One for a host/guest two-shot

One for a host close up

One for a guest closeup

One for audience shots.


I would shoot in SD to save cost of rental.

I would do a practice shoot without a big audience first, like a dress/tech rehearsal of sorts. Then once everything is ironed out production-wise it is then time to rent a studio/bring in an audience. You don't need a huge studio like the big wigs on TV, but the stage/set should be lit well!

I'd hate to say this but its the truth. Your talk show host needs to have clout to stand a chance. They need to already been known regionally or better yet nationally for something. Look at who's out there in syndication, off the top of my head:

Ellen Degeneres
Tyra Banks
Dr. Oz
Dr. Phil

Look up talk show hosts on Wikipedia and read their biographies to see how they got started in show business.

Unless the host has something unique to offer, the pilot may be a waste of everyone's time. You'll know during the tech rehearsals if in the control room you are bored or on the edge of your seat. But if you are being paid to produce a show then by all means go for it!

To answer your other questions, for talent I would use wireless lavs for everyone but questions from the audience segments. That's the only time to use a handheld. Even when the host is asking questions their audio will be from the wireless lav source. On Oprah they use a boom operator FWIW.

Script...definitely. A lot of shows shoot vignettes so you'll need your host to introduce those. You'll need to think of questions for the guests. It's all about the segment and all about the "show me" and "inform me"!
 
While I've never shot a talk show, I have shot many church services with live broadcasts over big screens and the Internet. At a basic level, I think church services are pretty similar to talk shows (eg. central stage, central speaker/character, occasional "side shows", plus an audience). Being live adds a dimension that you won't necessarily have for your pilot, which is sort of good and sort of not good. A live mix with full recording from each camera would provide near instant feedback as to whether your shoot is going to work. But I suppose you could still mix it "live".

I think you could pull off a decent pilot with 3 cameras. I'd put 2 on tripods: one center cam (Cam 1) to get your main shots (wide-shot, two-shot, single shot talking heads, even CUs) and one cam (Cam 2) to either slight stage left or right (favoring the host/ess) to get your secondary shots (two-shot, single shot, slow zooms, pans, you can even get audience pans to add some spatial perspective -- depending on your setup, etc). I would then use a shoulder mount camera (Cam 3) to get other shots (eg. audience, different angles, close-up of band instruments, puppies or other props, etc).

Cam 1 focuses primarily (but not exclusively) on the host (variety of shots can still be used, two-shot, CU, etc) and you alternate shots from Cam 2 and Cam 3 to add variety. But again, for this to work well, you really should have a live mixer/director so Cam 1 can change from a wide to a CU (as an example) while Cam 2 is doing an audience pan, etc. Oh, don't forget that each camera operator needs headsets so all shots are coordinated by the director.

As for sound, we've done it where each participant has a wireless lav mic (more professional IMO) and we've also had the main speaker/host use a handheld. I agree with adamr316 above. Use handheld for audience only, if you can.

Bottom line is that unless your talk show is unlike any other talk show out there today, your content is far more important than your creative camera work and production. Keep your production simple for the pilot. If it sells, you can add more to the production.
 
What is the target audence? Is this for cable or web? For $3500 anything other than a web slot is out of the question. Yes, you need at least 3 cameras. It can be shot in iso and edited together. Just seems like a pipe dream. I was going to suggest renting a studio, but then I saw your budget.
Don't get me wrong, I think it is a worthy project to try to get your feet wet. I just have experience on the other extreme of the spectrum exactly like Adam mentioned....
 
DadinWestchester said:
What is the target audence? Is this for cable or web? For $3500 anything other than a web slot is out of the question. Yes, you need at least 3 cameras. It can be shot in iso and edited together. Just seems like a pipe dream. I was going to suggest renting a studio, but then I saw your budget.
Don't get me wrong, I think it is a worthy project to try to get your feet wet. I just have experience on the other extreme of the spectrum exactly like Adam mentioned....
Click to expand...

The Target Audience the person who hired me to shoot the pilot is going for I think its a young Teen Audience. The show will deal with young adults on various issues.

I'm starting to see that for $3500 its gonna be tough to accomplish because of all the equiptment I'm going to need. I guess I can rent some of the equiptment but then I won't be making any money from this project.

I'm gonna have to try my best to make this happen with that budget.
 
For that kind of budget and target audience, think outside the square. You don't have to shoot like Oprah - you couldn't anyway. Use one hand-held camera and move, move, move!!! Start on the host, pull back to two-shot, go in on the host, whip-pan to the host for a question or reaction, come back to another two-shot, drop down on your knees and shoot from below. You get the picture, keep it moving and keep it interesting. Look at the BBC's "Top Gear" location pieces, although they use three cameras, they keep the pace up by constantly moving. Yes, you're gonna get tired!!!
 
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