Technology: A refreshing approach to programming??

The significant changes in technology has made possible the creation of new styles of recording and editing material. This technology has transformed our communication technology. Digitalisation and fibre optic technology are paving the way to a convergence between television, telecommunications and computer industries, creating new media industries. Big Brother presents footage like that from a web camera continuing the voyeuristic theme of Big Brother while giving an authentic approach to the episodes. Big Brother is a tailored experience, hosting the digital revolution. The creation of programs, such as Big Brother, are examples of a changing television community, adapting to the new broadcasting media.

Television in the twentieth century has led producers to sophisticate programming styles through the aid of technology. The global context in which reality programs are produced has constructed large media conglomerates becoming international identities. While the creation of this media genre was created in response to economic hardships faced by networks, production techniques are of a non traditional nature. Labour for the storyline is created through scripted situations by the production team, cameras work and production inputs, sets, props and costumes all set the narrative. Production budgets meant that programs are advertiser driven, making new markets open to consumers, such as merchandise. In the 1990s the economic environment affected both free to air and pay television networks. This environment led to a situation where distribution affected production. The rapidly changing costs in network television started independent productions. Network standards and practices departments implemented self censorship as a cost cutting device. Big Brother embraces low production costs and instead of paying for celebrities to be involved with the show they create instant celebrities from the characters on the show.

The key to reality programming: Big Brother

Big Brother was originally created at the end of the 1990s in Holland. Big Brother used the combined technology of the new digital production system, radio microphones, and cameras with high speed editing features. These production elements are now considered an industry standard.

Big Brother and the development of new technologies, such as broadband internet meant that images can be live streamed and are easily broadcasted over the internet. It is this quickly accessible broadcast market that gives producers an opportunity to meet market demands and create higher amounts of revenue.

The structure of Big Brother filming itself promotes confrontation between housemates. Camera and lights are positioned within the house for creating an ultimate recording location. Although being internationally traded, Big Brother Australia adapted to local culture and showed national stereotypes. It is the inclusion of these styles of characters that evokes the ‘scripted’ cynicism surrounding reality television. Big Brother in effect is a studio based production. Original marketing for the program surrounded the concept of a social experiment that aimed to explore the patterns of interaction and the development of interpersonal relationships between people from different social backgrounds.

The Big Brother house is in a sense a set, created for filming the program. With the placement of both surveillance cameras and microphones, every movement and conversation between housemates is captured. I think that the use of this technology is staging ‘reality’, so the question is then what is reality??

Bignell described Big Brother as a tailored experience has not only helped emerging technology but also relieved the economic pressure on broadcasters, offering a cheap alternative to programming.