TIME FOR some X-FACTOR.AU SESSION RECAPS :
DAY 1 - AFTERNOON SESSION
Session from 4:00 pm to 9:30 (actually started late and finished at 10:45)
GUY SEBASTION'S OVER 22'S
** I have brought over (quoted) my posts from previous thread
DAY 2 - MORNING SESSION
This scheduled taping session was from 11 AM to 4:30 PM
A group of us were ticketed to come at 10AM on the 29th to participate in a Promo Shoot
We were there to do outside Audience shots … asked to use props and be loud and crazy … torches. drones. co-ordinated placard holding and lots of screwed up takes were involved.
I was next to a lovely lady in the crowd - she let me know that we would be seeing Under 22’s next with Adam….she knew this as her son was the boyfriend of a contestant and they were there to support. As if I wasn’t excited already … this knowledge amped me up
by 150% … lets just say when the director asked for enthusiastic screaming, I was able to deliver in spades !!
When they promo shots finished (after about 1 1/2 hrs) we were told that all would be seated in the prime floor area. My Glambert buddy from the day before was near the head of the line and texted me she couldn't hold a seat for me. The group I did the promo with, kindly offered to include me with them, so I became part of a contestants family .... 11 became 12, so when we got to the studio floor we were escorted to reserved seats to the right side of the judges, opposite mid stage and I had the perfect view of Adam, from the front view (as per the photo from Tresha Dohmen FB but edited as to how
I saw the scene).
THANK YOU UNIVERSE!! The magic started from the minute the judges came to the stage ... I could see every smile, laugh, grimace, eyebrow raise, whispered wow, etc... as Adam talked about and listened to, and judged his under 22's. There were 12 performers and the extra bonus was that one of the close up cameras was to the right and in front of me and was always on Adam when he spoke .... That boy is so camera perfect.
The format is : he introduces the artist - talks a lot to them - then they perform. The other 2 judges comment on the performance and then Adam talks again. He gave honest, kind and sometimes constructive but not too harsh critiques. I love how he adapted to their age and experience, there was a lot of raw but amazing talent that he had to let down - he was kind and encouraging but never patronizing or discouraging. Sometimes there were long discussions between him and Iggy and Guy about whether to bump and if so who to bump off the seat to put the artist in the top 3 for Lives … I know Adam took it all to heart as he (off camera) really seemed to love the kids (ages were from 14 to 21 … boys and girls) The audience was encouraged to help by yelling SWAP and often yelling who to get rid of … it was manic at times … and if a judge went against the crowd favourite, there was some major protests … Adam took long looks back at the crowd and questioned them … but didn’t seem at all upset with the booing .. he just shrugged and half smiled - then did what he felt was right.
What I found interesting is that by watching his face and body language I could read his decision before he said it … guess that shows how invested I am ( and all of you on Atop too).
I don’t believe all of the comments/crowd reactions and judges collaborative deliberations will get to air … I’m sure there will be plenty of editing -
but they can’t edit my memories !!One contestant did a song that Adam has performed
often (always beautifully) and after I heard his critique I realized how he much he GETS his OWN VOICE / ARTISTRY . - he explained that technically the performance was almost perfect ( the crowd loved it !!) all notes were hit - good tone and runs
BUT he knows the emotion of the song and he lives it emotionally while singing and that was what was missing. Light and Shade.
(disclaimer : this is not an exact quote but what I remembered as the intention of his comments)
After 8 out of 12 performances, the director moved our entourage (my adopted family) to a slightly raised tier on the other side of the studio so that the camera could catch our reactions when OUR young one had their big chance in getting to the live shows. I was totally immersed in the emotion of the family, holding hands, cheering, crying with the lovely comments.
We stayed in these seats ( among with all the other parents and guardians) till the end of this taping. Adam had vetted an amazing group of young, fresh, enthusiastic and ultra talented young people (he knows
REAL talent) So there was lots of drama having to fill only three spots out from 12 ..... but Adam did a great job ... his picks are phenomenal !
The shoe throwing episode was hilarious ... The funniest thing was seeing him limp up the runway to retrieve his shoe .. the heels were at least 2 inches high so he had waddle to walk with one on and one off LOL. Off camera was when his dork side shone - goofing with Guy & Iggy.. Being an absolute 8 yr old with his make up artist - blowing bubbles, crossing his eyes, making funny noises ... What a sweety !
The three judges exited the stage (after Adam hugged his top 3 all at once and promised them a fun journey ). . . no pics because of copyright but I have to say I got quite teary …
We were then taken to the cafeteria while they readied the studio for the next session ….. and I realized that I was going to get another 3 + hours of Adam while Iggy picked her Group TOP 3 ….
***General Observations (and my own opinion):
photos by Vicky*Adam focuses on the job and follows directions … he is very intense and shut off when being directed BUT he also seems to occupy the outer space very comfortably …. what I mean is that he scans the audience …ground and upper tiers when he first comes out .. makes a point of “EYEING” various people … seeming to invite them into his “group” and especially on the first day picked out his Glamberts with a big smile and waved …. like WELCOME TO THE SHOW.
*Iggy, Guy and Adam get along really well ... not just for the cameras ...NO Mariah Carey or Nicki Manaj here - they are very friendly and always supportive of each other ...
ALL of them are popular with the crowds and
ALL interacted as much as possible with us - no Divas at this bus stop !!
DAY 2 - SESSION TWO .......
to be continued tomorrow ....when I have time to recap