Want to be on/in the audience for It Pays To Watch?

Beate · 7 January 2008 at 5:23PM

When do we all have to turn up - I heard the phrase "late afternoon" being bandied about. I live and work in London, about 45 mins from the studios, but do I have to take off the whole afternoon or just a few hours?

Former_MSE_Andrea · 8 January 2008 at 4:05PM

Hi everyone

There are a couple of tickets still left for tomorrow's show so email quickly before they go

Former_MSE_Andrea · 8 January 2008 at 4:56PM

Beate, you'd need to be there around 3pm

be_focused · 8 January 2008 at 6:38PM

As I said, I'm going to be there on the 16th... If we don't need to be there til 3, then I doubt I will make it home by 7.30 to be able to see it on the tv...will have to find someone to record it if not. I'm babysitting tomorrow night, will be getting there early and kicking the parents out so I don't miss the start!

ab48uk · 8 January 2008 at 7:55PM

I was one of the lucky few at the dress run yesterday. A fascinating afternoon. Just to warn fellow audience members - you won't be hidden behind the cameras. Instead you will be right there in-vision (Top Gear style) with the handsome Martin and the gorgeous Ruth!

Also, do think up a question to ask Martin. A few people were chosen to do this after the main recording, for a proposed extra feature.

Enjoy the experience. If you think Martin has been enthusiastic in other TV appearances, you ain't seen nothing yet!

harryhound · 8 January 2008 at 8:35PM

Yesterday Mrs Hound and I went along to act as part of the crowd for the dress rehearsal. So here is a report back on events and a few suggestions.
Filming is at the Whiteley centre, a redevelopment of a departmental store (think Harrods of 100 year ago) and this small production company is (I quote) "the obvious meeting point of where-it's-at cultures, lifestyles and fashions is on the top floor of Whiteleys shopping centre in Bayswater". (do we do irony?) An interesting part of London still built on a human scale.

Here is a link giving an idea of what became of the original business
http://www.whiteleyvillage.org.uk/Foundation.htm
We arrived at 14:30, the production team did not invite us into the "green room" but did buy us (all) a drink in the Cafe Rouge down stairs; while we were logged in and signed our disclaimer forms etc. It was 15:45 before the 35 of us were taken up to the studio.
We had to dump our coats and bags (ladies take note) in a make-shift cloakroom, before being welcomed into the studio.
I won't go into the details of the trial programme, not wanting to steal Martin's impact tomorrow.
It was organised chaos, as we were marshalled into two teams, to occupy the background around Martin and the other stars being filmed; while simultaneously trying to dodge the trailing cables.
It was 1965 last time I was in a (black and white) TV studio, so I was surprised to see how little the equipment had changed in these days of video on a mobile 'phone.
As you would expect, the program has some pre-recorded outside broadcast type clips to illustrate the people, companies and places involved.
Some items needed several takes to get the required effect. Wednesday's program will take all the producers/directors skills to tack it all together on the night.
After the end of the formal programme, Martin did some more "spontaneous" question and answer filming for another half an hour. Martin is quite capable of going off script and spontaneously making an entertaining program.
For what it is worth, here are one person's suggestions for the smooth running of the 10 episodes of the programme:
The emailed sheets of instructions , with details of how NOT to dress, and how to get to Whiteley were good (Royal Oak tube stop is also within walking distance, as we discovered after drinks and a meal with friends - London is not really the shape of the tube map!).
However a plan of the inside of the building would help - it took Mrs Hound and me 15 minutes to have a "P" and find the studio.
Email out a sheet of who is who, with thumb nail photos of the production team. The only name that rang a bell with me was Laura who mailed out the instructions.
Setting some ground rules for the production, in advance, might make the director's herding cats a bit easier. I am sure I was guilty of:
Letting my eyes follow the Autocue.
Looking at the monitor to see what was being filmed instead of concentrating on Martin & his interviewees. (You can wait until you get home to see your 15 seconds of fame:D)
Keeping quiet when it was ok to talk as the pre-recorded stuff was being broadcast & vice versa. Etc. Etc.
One word of warning, part of the set allows the filming of a sitting room BUT the majority of the program is "action" on your feet; so expect to have the endurance to stand for up to 1.5 hours.
Finally, anyone reading my postings will know I'm no fan of political correctness or some aspects of multiculturalism BUT we all looked very “European”. Some members with a migrant background probably need Martin’s advice more than the average consumer. I have worked with a lot of colleagues from the Indian subcontinent and found them very “savvy”, when it comes to finance. So if I am describing you, why not ask to take part?
Harry.
“There are few ways in which a man can be more innocently employed than in getting money.” Samuel Johnson

ab48uk · 8 January 2008 at 9:45PM

A few comments on Harry's comments! As you may have seen, I was also there.

A studio audience would not be expected to go to the Green Room. That is for artistes and VIPs.

Excluding guests appearing on the show, the audience was (I counted) 12 people - not 35! They said that a few more would be good though.

Leaving bags was not a problem. The area was secure and receipts given.

I wouldn't call it organised chaos. I would call it a dress run.

It is not true that "Some items needed several takes to get the required effect". The programme went straight through, with no re-takes afterwards.

Martin's Q & A session at the end was indeed spontaneous. We witnessed him turn down the opportunity to see the questions in advance.

Laura's instructions to me included the meeting point, which was not upstairs at the production company.

I didn't find standing up for 1.5 hrs a problem - and I have an artificial leg.

My only complaint would be the early call time. Stating that people should arrive at 2.30pm to be let into the studio at 3.30pm, is not conducive to making them arrive on time.

Former_MSE_Laura_1 · 9 January 2008 at 7:08PM

A big thank you to everyone who came to the audience on Monday and tonight!
I hope you all enjoyed it!!

If anyone else wants tickets please email us at [EMAIL="audience@moneysavingexpert.com"]audience@moneysavingexpert.com[/EMAIL]

Laura x

98sidney · 9 January 2008 at 7:22PM

About time more people got to hear about martin, and all the lovely people on hear who have helped me save alot of money. Will be putting kids to bed early and settilng down to watch the show.

DUKE · 9 January 2008 at 9:13PM

Did everyone remember to watch? Great wasn't it

Want to be on/in the audience for It Pays To Watch?

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