Behind every Melbourne Cup Carnival lies the true star of the carnival – Executive Producer, Frank Smith.
We caught up with Frank to get the low down on how the Carnival will be broadcast this year and when he’s taking a much needed holiday!
Frank, here we are again about to face yet another COVID affected Carnival. What challenges are there around capturing the event during these strange times?
The uncertainty is the biggest challenge, which is something everyone can relate to. Whether it’s talent, production crew, or crowds, we haven’t been able to establish continuity with our Melbourne Cup Carnival broadcast.
Fortunately, the COVID situation has allowed us the freedom to experiment.
Previously, a network would never leave Flemington, but we have taken the opportunity to showcase what the carnival means to Australia, and indeed the world, through our live crosses. Not to mention segments like Fashions on your Front Lawn and the music videos clips which have helped grow our online audience.
What can we expect from the coverage this year?
Crowds! The atmosphere will be electric on course, which will translate on air, it provides a soundtrack to the day, and a lift to the on-air team.
From a broadcast perspective, we will have a stronger racing focus, our front lawn studio has been relocated with a purpose-built racing studio located beneath the Members Grandstand.
We will use this studio to preview and review the big Group One races, as well interview those big-name racing identities who can’t be on course.
This is such a big event with lots of moving parts to it. As Executive Producer, where do you start with the planning process and do you have a trip to Fiji booked as soon as it’s over?
We started planning for this year’s Melbourne Cup Carnival in the aftermath of 2020.
We’re always trying to improve the coverage, fortunately the feedback from last year was positive which has enabled us to keep expanding and developing the broadcast.
We have always presented a strong racing component, now we must try and improve the integration of fashion and entertainment in the broadcast without compromising the racing.
While I don’t have a holiday booked, I have my ‘out of office’ ready to go!
Can you give our readers a fun little fact about Melbourne Cup that most people wouldn’t know?
No horse has ever won the Melbourne Cup from Barrier 18!
