I’m going to make you a star!
Bassem is an executive producer and director in the Middle East market. Based in Beirut, he and his production company make TV shows that aim to entertain!
His latest creation is a take on the famous "Star Academy" programme but with a healthy twist, in that it looks for the "best manager"for an already popular local singing star. It is yet another Endemol creation. The formula tests potential candidates while at the same time offering the public the chance to hear their favourite star perform live every week, until the winner emerges.
Bassem, together with a local Lebanese production company, Studio Vision, were looking for something that would markedly differentiate the look and feel of their programmes from the competition. It was at the IBC fair (Amsterdam) in 2007 that they first became aware of the Furio. Not entirely sure of its potential or possibilities, Bassem asked the advice of an experienced camera operator and asked him to look at it more closely, and as necessary compare it with similar products on the market.
In short, the operator recommended the Furio by far: easier operation, more effective controls, better software and overall, best value for money.
This whole process took a little over a year though, and it was only in November 2008 that they actually bought the Furio. Since then however, it has been put to good use most notably with the new "Manager" series. A number of weekly entertainment specials, and a host of other projects are in the pipeline.
As Bassem commented, "we were able to use the Furio in so many different situations: the tracking of our contestants as they were introduced over a bridge on the set; close-ups of the jury making their deliberations – but in a discreet and unobtrusive manner; and interesting moving crowd shots. The idea was to create an ownable shooting style for the show (The Manager) that was unique and high-class. I think we succeeded admirably. I particularly appreciate the smoothness of the shots, and the way we can pan up, down or sideways with such ease."
He goes on, "it´s only now that we´ve bought the Furio, that we are really discovering its full range of possibilities. We´ll be pushing it to its limits – but I´m confident it´ll come up with the goods."
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