Although she did not achieve much success in the United States, the vocal competition Alter ego arouses a lot of enthusiasm within the Quebec television community. Because by combining augmented reality and variety, this new show opens up a world of possibilities.
Aired Wednesdays on FOX in combo with The Masked Singer, US version of Masked singers, Alter ego borrows a singular formula: the candidates sing under the guise of avatars. Are you not sure you understand the concept? Think of any TV singing contest, like The voice Where Star Academy, but seasoned with virtual 3D elements.
To win the vote of confidence of a jury made up of Alanis Morissette, Grimes, Nick Lachey (98 Degrees) and will.i.am (Black Eyed Peas), a competitor dressed in a jumpsuit equipped with sensors of movement performs a song behind the scenes, while in the studio, star experts and audiences watch his avatar move in real time.
PHOTO GREG GAYNE, SUPPLIED BY FOX
A candidate forAlter ego equipped with motion sensors records its performance.
The word is weak, Alter ego disappoints. On the critical side, the press is ruthless. Variety calls the show a boring holographic version ofAmerican Idol, The Guardian wonders if this is the worst TV show of 2021, and Pitchfork talks about an avant-garde container trapped in a hyper conventional format.
And on the ratings side, it’s also laborious. Since taking off in front of 2,850,000 curious visitors last September, the show has continued to lose feathers. Last Wednesday, only 2,330,000 fans were at the rendezvous, according to preliminary data from Nielsen.
“It opens doors”
Yes Alter ego doesn’t look set to revolutionize televised singing contests, its hitting the airwaves should be a game-changer in other ways.
As of today, TV producers, like broadcasters, will be more inclined to support variety shows that use augmented reality, since they see that it can be used in many ways, believes Matthieu Larivée, producer. and partner at Lüz Studio, a Montreal visual design company.
It opens doors, because we see that it is possible. It can be done. It’s not just an idea on paper anymore; it is concrete.
Matthieu Larivée, producer and partner at Lüz Studio
“A new idea, a new concept, that often makes people nervous,” notes Matthieu Larivée. I understand, because in TV, budgets are tight. People prefer to take established concepts. It’s less risky. “
The technology behind Alter ego also inspires filmmakers of variety shows, found Press. Vice-president of business development at Rec4Box, a mobile production unit manufacturing company, and developer of Masked singers, ofLive from the universe and of There are people at mass, Luc Sirois is part of the group.
The concept ofAlter ego isn’t perfect, but because one idea always leads to another, it’s super exciting. It clears a lot of business. It shows that in 2021, we are there.
Luc Sirois, Vice-President of Business Development at Rec4Box and Director
Same story with Daniel Vigneault, director of 1res times, with Véronique Cloutier. “ Alter ego, it’s a bit of a joke, but the effect can be trippy. It stimulates creativity. ”
Required
Augmented reality has been around for a few years in television. Particularly in the United States. We think in particular of the weather presenters during hurricanes, which are sometimes surrounded by virtual water in the studio to illustrate the level of flooding. In sports, we can cite the famous yellow line that appears in the center of the football field, to show the distance that the attack must cover to obtain a first try.
In Quebec, this technology was used in particular for the Gémeaux awards in 2020 (screens “came out of the floor” alongside the finalists on stage) and in 2021. Canada Day also used it last year to compensate for the absence of spectators and create the impression of a crowd.
PHOTO ÉRIC MYRE, PROVIDED BY RADIO-CANADA
Augmented reality was used for the benefit of the most recent Gémeaux gala, hosted by Véronique Cloutier.
If it had not been for a certain global pandemic, augmented reality would never have experienced such a boom in Quebec, believes Matthieu Larivée. “COVID-19 has accelerated the process. Things have changed 10 years in 1 year. ”
Here for good
Augmented reality is expensive. This is why only large-scale productions can use it, underlines Daniel Vigneault, director of the two most recent editions of the Gemini Awards.
For now, it takes time to set up, it’s a lot of challenges, and it’s a bit of a headache… But it’s fun to explore.
Daniel Vigneault, director of the two most recent editions of the Prix Gémeaux
According to Matthieu Larivée, everything is a question of priorities. “It’s a choice that must be made. If you want a gala with sets, lights, projections… and several augmented reality elements, you are sure to go over budget. But if you cut such-and-such, it’s doable. Because with augmented reality, you don’t need scenery. Everything is possible. Sky is the limit. ”