Survivor: The ShowThis is a featured page


Survivor Fiji has brought this franchise to a new level in terms of its showmanship and storytelling.

In Borneo, the Story Editors seemed to be reaching for profundity with the "race" storyline. At the time, it seemed like a gutsy move, but one that didn't pan out with story. The race chapter was quickly ended, and the tribes integrated. At that point a great arc emerged, the "final four". These two story lines, one engineered and the other organic, demonstrated one of the classic tensions of documentary fim, between the filmmaker's intentions and the subject's. Often the subject produces the most original, compelling, unusual stories, without the filmmaker's interference.

However, for the exception to that rule, let's move to Fiji, where the subtle, underplayed "haves and have-nots" theme, has been so compelling. The stories and images of one tribe starving while the other thrived made for gripping storytelling. It didn't feel like profundity was being shoehorned in, it seemed natural, I think because the theme dovetailed into the game elements.

The Art Department, (the people who design and build challenges, and the other architecture) have also been super bitchin' this season. I suspect the murdered marooned sailor theme, which I think is rooted in Fijian history, has allowed them to unleash their inner gothic rocker.

The Camera Department has been developing into a powerhouse the last few seasons. The time-lapse and nature photography that forms the shows transitional clips is incredible. Also, the individual camera operators never seem to take a bad shot. Sometimes, Survivor, in addition to being a great game show, and reality show, seems very much like a great artistic nature flim, the kind that don't need a narrator because the footage is so good.

Post-Production is, as always, incredible. I really like the mix of Digital Effects and Primitive Effects, like fire, in the titles sequence. The show's look is what I would call state of the art, saturated but moody and noir. I never get tired of looking.

Of course the Editors do their work of finding the stories and characters with brilliance and elan. They always have.

Now that I think about it, the Challenge Department is indefatigable, baby!

I think Survivor is one of those shows that will never have to go off the air, like The Simpsons. No one can do what they are doing. What most people consider their competition are not even playing the same game. Um, can I have a job now?






MSPowers
MSPowers 		Latest page update: made by MSPowers , Apr 26 2009, 4:21 PM EDT (about this update About This Update MSPowers Edited by MSPowers

8 words added
1 word deleted

view changes
- complete history)
Keyword tags: how do they make survivor producing survivor survivor crew survivor director survivor producers survivor writers
More Info: links to this page

Threads for this page

Started By Thread Subject Replies Last Post
gloriasroom@aol.com I hunger for the chance to whisper something in Jeff Probst's ear! 4 Jan 19 2008, 12:03 AM EST by gloriasroom@aol.com
Thread started: Jan 15 2008, 11:14 PM EST  Watch
After 8 years and 16 tryouts I have a secret that I will only whisper in Jeff Probst's ear and this is not a hoax. If I get on Survivor I will whisper it in his ear. And it will blow his mind becauzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz no one but me would do it LOL The survivor crew do a great job making Jeff stand out as host on the show.! Producing Survivor always has a way of connecting when the cameras turn on and say show has begun---------go for the million LOL! Gloria Query loves challenges as Survivor already probably knows about me!!!
1  out of 1 found this valuable. Do you?    
Keyword tags: how do they make survivor producing survivor survivor crew survivor director survivor producers survivor writers
Show Last Reply
gloriasroom@aol.com Survivor Reality show Has made Me a brainchild LOL! 3 Jan 18 2008, 7:59 PM EST by gloriasroom@aol.com
Thread started: Jan 15 2008, 11:08 PM EST  Watch
After 8 years and 16 tryouts of trying to get on show I now write about the show. The fan base I wrtie for is always wanting me to think up ideas for Survivor! so thank you Survivor for making me a brainchild full of ideas for reality tv. I have more and more ideas all the time. I wish to share! Gloria Query
Do you find this valuable?    
Keyword tags: how do they make survivor producing survivor survivor crew survivor director survivor producers survivor writers
Show Last Reply
Mr.Sir5or Number 1 Show 0 Mar 31 2007, 1:12 PM EDT by Mr.Sir5or
Thread started: Mar 31 2007, 1:12 PM EDT  Watch
Ever since the first episode of the first season, Survivor has been the ultimate in production. I can only speculate at the difficulties in putting it all together. Rock on!!!
4  out of 4 found this valuable. Do you?    
Keyword tags: None
Showing 3 of 4 threads for this page - view all

Related Content

  (what's this?Related ContentThanks to keyword tags, links to related pages and threads are added to the bottom of your pages. Up to 15 links are shown, determined by matching tags and by how recently the content was updated; keeping the most current at the top. Share your feedback on Wetpaint Central.)
I hunger for the chance to whisper something in Jeff Probst's ear! Survivor Reality show Has made Me a brainchild LOL!