Today’s post is about my first experience on television. It was in the Talent Show “Tierra de Talento” (translated into English it means “The Land of Talent”) broadcast by Canal Sur in Andalusia, Spain.
The first thing I can say is that I experienced a mixture of merged feelings on that day which I even found it complex to acknowledge.
It has been more than 2 months since my performance. Looking back at that day from a distance and remembering what happened, I can say that it was a lot of fun, being an unforgettable experience.
It would be easy to say that when you are used to playing in front of an audience and you get to play on TV, it’s a matter of cooking and singing (as easy as making a pie)… but it’s not like that at all. I cannot deny having an advantage over someone who has ever done nothing or almost in public; however, being on TV is like being in another world!
HOW DID IT ALL START?
I knew about “Tierra de Talento” programme, but I had never thought to sign up. I had other plans in mind. Fortunately or unfortunately, I have had to adapt my goals in the last few weeks to the current circumstances due to the lockdown.
To tell you the truth, this was not my first contact with the big screen. TV had knocked on my door before, once in France and three times in Spain. However, for one reason or another our paths never crossed.
I had tasted the cameras through two short interviews. The first one at the end of the contest in Marbella that you can see here and the second one, a little report that Canal Sur did to me and that you can see in my Youtube Channel.
Everything was very fast. I received a call of invitation to participate in the programme. After thinking about it for a couple of days to see if it would fit into my plans, I accepted and very quickly, I was already in the casting.
A few days later, I received another call. This time it was to tell me I was a participant in “Tierra de Talento“… plus the place, day and time of the gala called “Auditions”. Phew, what a thrill!
During casting Tierra de Talento.
THE BIG DAY: THE "AUDITIONS" GALA
On the day of the “Auditions”, I had to drive about 250 km to get to the Riberas Del Guadaira Theatre-Auditorium. It is the same theatre where the 1st season of “Tierra de Talentos” was held. The trip was not long; I usually do even more distance by car when I play in some contest, concert or festival.
I knew the day would be long. The trip, the set, the backstage waiting for my turn to perform, the audience, the jury, the TV cameras… Oops, so much excitement!
Once in the theatre, I met all the staff behind the show and the production team. They were all very attentive, kind and doing their best to make me feel at home.
I met all the participants, from the youngest to the eldest. Some were dancing, others were singing. I made friends with Erika, a girl my age who sang Sevillanas and took the 5 stars and the pass to the next round. I also met Antonio, a cellist and pianist friend, more or less my age, who had participated in the 1st season of “Tierra de Talento” and that night he would play as a guest artist.
With my new friend Erika.
It is my turn! Manu, the show’s presenter, introduced me to the audience and the jury. I walked down the stairs to the set; there were background music, applause, cameras everywhere, and the audience expectant and curious to know what an 11-year-old girl would be playing on the piano.
I walked over to the grand piano. I had prepared to play a piece by F. Liszt “Love dream” Nocturne n. 3. I knew beforehand that I could not play the whole piece since the piece lasts more than 5 minutes and on TV, time is golden. Therefore, I had to find an ending that was not so bad. Liszt helped me…The great composer did the job for me….
When I finished playing, I felt more relaxed. The audience was applauding as I bowed, one, two, three times… I really do not remember how many times. At that moment, I realized the stars of the jury were not all lit up. José Mercé, the famous flamenco singer and India Martínez, were convinced of my performance, but Jesús Reina and Carlos Álvarez apparently were not or did not want to give their stars immediately and preferred to give their comments first. Who knows?
Now it was time for the most difficult part of the evening, listening to the jury’s assessments. First, it was José and India. Then Jesús, who gave me some good advice and asked me to apply it on the go. I sat down at the piano and started playing the piece again. While I was playing, Jesus lit his star but there was still Carlos to say his appraisal and to light his star… that was my wish. (face)
That was when, instead of stopping my playing, I kept on trying to convince Carlos. It was all very funny because Manu understood my strategy. Manu, with his funny way of running the show, told the audience what I intended to do and we all started laughing. The moment of tension turned into a pleasant and funny moment.
Finally, Carlos decided to give me his star, I got my five stars, and a pass to the next round called “Challenge”.
The full video of my participation in the Auditions Tierra de Talento
THE CHALLENGE
I already had a pass to the Challenge but I did not know what my challenge would be. Manu took out his notes and said: “Norah, your challenge is to play the piano, the classical guitar and to sing at the next gala”. I was a bit surprised because I did not know how to do the other things in the same gala. Without thinking it twice, I accepted the challenge.
Now I am preparing my challenge with much more peace of mind. The date of the next programmes is uncertain because of COVID-19.
It has been more than a month since the auditions in which I participated were broadcast and due to the confinement, the television programme has not been able to follow its course. However, Manu, his team, the jury and Canal Sur have known how to adapt and have launched a “spin-off” called “Tierra de Talento en Casa” (meaning from home) with the same purpose, to look for talent in Andalusia, bring joy and entertainment everyone.
While my second big day arrives, I will continue preparing and learning and above all, enjoying the unique moment TV gives.
I hope that you too have had an unforgettable moment as I have. Moreover, if it has not arrived yet, keep working and making an effort that I am sure you will soon.
Thanks for reading and remember that with will you can achieve many things!
