What is so interesting about watching a seemingly ordinary person compete to fulfill their dreams? This is the basic concept of reality, competition, shows. In the last few years cooking competitions have become increasingly more popular to audiences around the global. Since it began in England in the 1990s, MasterChef has become a global phenomenon. Fifty countries around the world have now created their own version of the competitive cooking competition. Nevertheless, even though they all have their own distinct techniques, traditions, and aesthetics the outcome is the same—to find the next “MasterChef.” MasterChef has become extremely popular particularly in two countries: the United States and Australia. Though, the US version is loosely
…show more content…
The opening shots are similar to the Australians sequence where they show some of the forty contestants who will be competing. They use footage from their everyday lives, at home, at work, etc. however, this footage appears to be collected professional, versus the home video style of the Australian show. Also, these images are accompanied by voice over, which is done by Gordon Ramsay. The words he uses to describe the competition are ones like “battle” and “go head to head.” The choice of words is something that extremely unique. These words connote a much more competitive mood and tone. Whereas, the Australian version calls the show a journey and not a competition. Not even a minute into the program Ramsay then introduces himself as the “owner of a multi Michelin star food empire” along with his co-judge and “world renowned pastry chef” Christiana Tosi. Though, their introduction is brief, it feels as though they put more weight on the judges by separating them like they have. The score is intense and the lighting dramatic which in return creates harsh shadows over the judges. Had they decided to aluminate the judges in equal light and have them sitting (much like the Australian show) it would have made them feel less powerful. By making them stand, using dramatic score, and lighting, paired with the camera pushing in from a low angle, it gives the feeling that the judges are the heads of this competition it also “supports a more aggressive approach to the competition, (Louann 159). They are not equals with these home chefs but instead above them so to speak. Unlike, the Australian show MasterChef US decides to have one of its head chefs be British. This choice however, was a smart one. Ramsay’s shtick is known for being brutal in these reality shows. He is often seen yelling at the contestants and pushing them to their limits. The United States version is not trying to be inspiring or by
The opening shots are similar to the Australians sequence where they show some of the forty contestants who will be competing. They use footage from their everyday lives, at home, at work, etc. however, this footage appears to be collected professional, versus the home video style of the Australian show. Also, these images are accompanied by voice over, which is done by Gordon Ramsay. The words he uses to describe the competition are ones like “battle” and “go head to head.” The choice of words is something that extremely unique. These words connote a much more competitive mood and tone. Whereas, the Australian version calls the show a journey and not a competition. Not even a minute into the program Ramsay then introduces himself as the “owner of a multi Michelin star food empire” along with his co-judge and “world renowned pastry chef” Christiana Tosi. Though, their introduction is brief, it feels as though they put more weight on the judges by separating them like they have. The score is intense and the lighting dramatic which in return creates harsh shadows over the judges. Had they decided to aluminate the judges in equal light and have them sitting (much like the Australian show) it would have made them feel less powerful. By making them stand, using dramatic score, and lighting, paired with the camera pushing in from a low angle, it gives the feeling that the judges are the heads of this competition it also “supports a more aggressive approach to the competition, (Louann 159). They are not equals with these home chefs but instead above them so to speak. Unlike, the Australian show MasterChef US decides to have one of its head chefs be British. This choice however, was a smart one. Ramsay’s shtick is known for being brutal in these reality shows. He is often seen yelling at the contestants and pushing them to their limits. The United States version is not trying to be inspiring or by