We have settled into work at this stage. It's nice, and the people we work with are wonderful at estudios Valentim de Carvalho Lisboa. They couldn't be any more welcoming or inclusive than they have been. Since day one people have made a point of coming over to us and insisting that if there is anything that we need to see or know all we have to do is ask. They are apologetic for not speaking fluent English when we are guests in there country and to be honest I have experienced more heartwarming moments in the last week than I know how to explain without waffling on for far too long using very flowery language. We are sitting in behind the scenes on live television shoots, of the Portuguese version of So You think you can dance, and the lighting and camera rehearsals of the new format of Who wants to be a Millionaire, as well as the wonderful kids show simply known as Panda. We have met the Portuguese equivalent of Chris Tarrant. He is affectionately known as "Big Bear" by all the crew, and when he enters a room you are aware that he is there for all the right reasons. The man has charm and charisma, and he walked the entire studio floor greeting everyone like they are friends and or family. He even came over to Colm and I to shake our hands and welcome us. It's fair to say he made a good impression on me because there was nothing forced about his nature. He simply is a nice guy.
The Producers and Directors are incredibly protective of the copyright over their images, especially for the prerecorded shows, given the age of social networking we live in. So out of respect for them and the fact that they have made us a part of their extended family we do not point cameras at sets or at scenes being shot. We have however begun filming the studios themselves, behind the scenes and we will be interviewing some of the people who work there as part of the documentary we are putting together. Tomorrow night I have been asked to go along with a camera crew to record a Gig at a local venue. We will be present for the live finale of The dance show on Sunday night. We are then scheduled to help the crew strike the set after the show finishes at around half twelve or one in the morning so it promises to be a long day, and night, but it really should be fascinating. The energy at a live recording is intense, and the crew involved are consummate professionals. watching the steadicam operator working at the pace he does is a treat. If it's possible to squeeze us into an already full set of vehicles we may end up going out with the OB van crew at some stage to record either a Portuguese soap opera, or one of their live weekend broadcasts. We'll see what happens.
They have made us a temporary part of their family and I am grateful for the experience thus far. Now for some photos of this beautiful city.
The Producers and Directors are incredibly protective of the copyright over their images, especially for the prerecorded shows, given the age of social networking we live in. So out of respect for them and the fact that they have made us a part of their extended family we do not point cameras at sets or at scenes being shot. We have however begun filming the studios themselves, behind the scenes and we will be interviewing some of the people who work there as part of the documentary we are putting together. Tomorrow night I have been asked to go along with a camera crew to record a Gig at a local venue. We will be present for the live finale of The dance show on Sunday night. We are then scheduled to help the crew strike the set after the show finishes at around half twelve or one in the morning so it promises to be a long day, and night, but it really should be fascinating. The energy at a live recording is intense, and the crew involved are consummate professionals. watching the steadicam operator working at the pace he does is a treat. If it's possible to squeeze us into an already full set of vehicles we may end up going out with the OB van crew at some stage to record either a Portuguese soap opera, or one of their live weekend broadcasts. We'll see what happens.
They have made us a temporary part of their family and I am grateful for the experience thus far. Now for some photos of this beautiful city.