Production Who Wants to Be a Millionaire (U.S. game show)

1 production

1.1 origins
1.2 audition process
1.3 music
1.4 set

production

the u.s. version of millionaire co-production of 2waytraffic, division of sony pictures entertainment, , valleycrest productions, division of walt disney company. 2waytraffic purchased millionaire s original production company celador in 2008, while valleycrest has produced series since beginning, , holds copyright on u.s. millionaire episodes date. show distributed valleycrest s corporate sibling disney-abc home entertainment & television distribution (previously known buena vista television).

the u.s. millionaire taped @ abc s television center east studio on upper west side of manhattan in new york 1999 2012. tapings moved nep broadcasting s metropolis studios in east harlem in 2013, , production moved studios located in stamford, connecticut following year. 2016–17 season, production relocated bally s hotel , casino in las vegas, nevada. episodes of syndicated version produced june december. show taped 4 episodes in single day, number has since been changed five.

origins

when u.s. version of millionaire first conceived in 1998, michael davies young television producer serving head of abc s little-noticed reality programming division (at time when reality television had not yet become phenomenon in america). @ time, abc lingering in third place in ratings indexes among u.s. broadcast networks, , on verge of losing status 1 of big 3 networks. meanwhile, popularity of game shows @ all-time nadir, exception of price right, genre absent networks daytime lineups @ point. having earlier created debt lifetime television , participated al burton , donnie brainard in creation of win ben stein s money comedy central, davies decided create primetime game show save network collapse , revive interest in game shows.

davies considered reviving cbs s long-lost quiz show $64,000 question new era, new home on abc. however, effort s development limited when producer heard british millionaire make debut, got friends , family members in uk record show, , subsequently ended receiving 8 fedex packages different family members, each containing copy of millionaire s first episode. davies captivated had seen , heard, host chris tarrant s intimate involvement contestant show s lighting system , music tracks, chose abandon work on $64,000 question revival in favor of introducing millionaire american airwaves, convinced become extraordinarily popular.

when davies presented ideas u.s. millionaire abc, network s executives rejected them, resigned position there , became independent producer. determined bring idea show fruition, davies decided betting whole career on millionaire s production, , first move made planning attach celebrity host show. along philbin, number of other popular television personalities considered hosting positions on u.s. millionaire during development, including peter jennings, bob costas, phil donahue, , montel williams, among considered, philbin wanted job most, , when saw episode of british millionaire , blown away content, davies , team settled on having him host american show. when davies approached abc again after having hired philbin, network agreed accept u.s. millionaire. production ready begin, team had 5 months finish developing show , launched, davies demanding perfection in every element of millionaire s production.

audition process

with few exceptions, legal resident of united states 18 years of age or older has potential of becoming contestant through millionaire s audition process. ineligible include employees, immediate family or household members, , close acquaintances of spe, disney, or of respective affiliates or subsidiaries; television stations broadcast syndicated version; or advertising agency or other firm or entity engaged in production, administration, or judging of show. ineligible current candidates political office , individuals have appeared on different game show outside of cable has been broadcast within past year, intended broadcast within next year, or played main game on of u.s. versions of millionaire itself.

potential contestants of original primetime version had compete in telephone contest had them dial toll-free number , answer 3 questions putting objects or events in order. callers had ten seconds enter order on keypad, incorrect answer ending game/call. 10,000 20,000 candidates answered 3 questions correctly selected random drawing in approximately 300 contestants competed ten spots on show using same phone quiz method. accommodations contestants outside new york city area included round trip airfare (or other transportation) , hotel accommodations.

the syndicated version s potential contestants, depending on tryouts, required pass electronically scored test comprising set of thirty questions must answered within 10-minute time limit. contestants fail test eliminated, while pass interviewed audition production staff, , impress staff notified postal mail have been placed pool possible selection contestants. @ producers discretion, contestants said pool selected appear on actual episodes of syndicated program; these contestants given phone call staff , asked confirm information on initial application form , verify meet eligibility requirements. afterwards, given date travel show s taping facilities participate in scheduled episode of show. unlike abc counterpart, syndicated version not offer transportation or hotel accommodations contestants @ production company s expense; version s contestants instead required provide transportation , accommodations of own.

the syndicated millionaire conducts open casting calls in various locations across united states search potential contestants. these held in late spring or summer, dates , locations posted on show s official website. producers make no guarantee on how many applicants tested @ each particular venue; however, show not test more 2,500 individuals per audition day.

in cases when show features themed episodes 2 people playing team, auditions these episodes contestants announced on show s website. both members of team must pass written test , audition interview in order considered selection. if 1 member of team passes, or placed contestant pool alone , must continue audition process individual in order proceed.

music

originally, u.s. millionaire carried on musical score british version, composed father-and-son duo keith , matthew strachan. unlike older game show musical scores, millionaire s musical score created feature music playing throughout entire show. strachans main millionaire theme song took inspiration mars movement of gustav holst s planets, , question cues $2,000 $32,000/$25,000 level, , $64,000/$50,000 level onwards, took pitch semitone each subsequent question, in order increase tension contestant progressed through game. on gsn s gameshow hall of fame special, narrator described strachan tracks mimicking sound of beating heart, , stated contestant worked way money ladder, music in tune ever-increasing pulse.

the original millionaire musical score holds distinction of being game show soundtrack acknowledged american society of composers, authors , publishers, strachans honored numerous ascap awards work, earliest of them awarded in 2000. original music cues given minor rearrangements clock format in 2008; example, question cues synced ticking sounds of game clock. later, strachan score removed u.s. version altogether introduction of shuffle format in 2010, in favor of new musical score cues written jeff lippencott , mark t. williams, co-founders of los angeles-based company ah2 music.

set

the u.s. millionaire s basic set direct adaptation of british version s set design, conceived andy walmsley. paul smith s original licensing agreement u.s. millionaire required show s set design, along other elements of show s on-air presentation (musical score, lighting system, host s wardrobe, etc.), adhere faithfully way in presented in british version; same licensing agreement applied other international versions of show, making walmsley s millionaire set design reproduced scenic design in television history. original version of u.s. millionaire s set cost $200,000 construct. u.s. millionaire s production design handled george allison, predecessors have included david weller , jim fenhagen.

unlike older game shows sets or designed make contestant(s) feel @ ease, millionaire s set designed make contestant feel uncomfortable, program feels more movie thriller typical quiz show. floor made of plexiglas beneath lies huge dish covered in mirror paper. before shuffle format implemented in 2010, main game had contestant , host sit in chairs in center of stage, known hot seats ; these measured 3 feet (0.91 m) high, modeled after chairs typically found in hair salons, , each seat featured computer monitor directly facing display questions , other pertinent information. shortly after shuffle format introduced millionaire, vieira stated in interview millionaire predecessor on morning talk show hot seat removed because decided seat, intended make contestant feel nervous, ended having contestants feel comfortable in it did not service production team longer.

the lighting system programmed darken set contestant progresses further game. there spotlights situated @ bottom of set area zoom down on contestant when answer major question; increase visibility of light beams emitted such spotlights, oil vaporized, creating haze effect. media scholar dr. robert thompson, professor @ syracuse university, stated show s lighting system made contestant feel though outside of prison when escape in progress.

when shuffle format introduced, hot seats , corresponding monitors replaced single podium, , result, contestant , host stand throughout game , able walk around stage. also, 2 video screens installed–one displays current question in play, , displays contestant s cumulative total , progress during game. in september 2012, redesigned set improved modernized , feel, in order take account show s transition high-definition broadcasting, had come previous year. 2 video screens replaced 2 larger ones, having twice many projectors previous screens had; previous contestant podium replaced new one; , light-emitting diode (led) technology integrated lighting system give lights more vivid colors , set , gameplay experience more intimate feel.

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