As a die-hard fan of Taskmaster, I can’t help but feel both excited and apprehensive about the new live experience. Having followed Alex Horne and his team for years, it’s clear they’ve poured their hearts into creating something truly unique and immersive. Yet, as someone who has watched countless episodes and imagined myself in the contestants’ shoes, I can’t help but wonder if I’ll be able to live up to the challenges.
Develop a unique, interactive blend of theater and team-based gaming for the Taskmaster brand, spanning over the next five years. The clock is ticking; let the creative process begin!
However, even though the countdown hasn’t ended when I reach Taskmaster: The Live Experience‘s location in Canada Water, London, it’s not over just yet.
The replica of the famed Taskmaster house, identical to its counterpart in Chiswick, particularly on the exterior, has been set up inside a large warehouse. This setup is part of an emerging ‘Taskmaster museum’, complete with a lounge area and strategically placed authentic props scattered around.
However, the team is tirelessly working on, cutting, coating, and drilling to complete the project before its initial previews. Stacks of what appears to be grass (in reality, patterned flooring) can still be found in a corner.
Alex Horne, our Taskmaster’s assistant, series creator, and today’s guide, shares that we are almost at the end of the project. He compares it to the Scottish version of Willy Wonka’s Factory in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, but he emphasizes that it won’t be as comprehensive.
As a movie buff, it’s quite apparent that he isn’t all business, what with his Golden Girls cartoon sweater. Even without prior knowledge of Alex Horne’s comedic style, this attire screams lightheartedness. However, delve deeper into his work, such as the critically acclaimed 18-part TV series Taskmaster, and you’ll discover a man who meticulously pays attention to detail. In this show, where five comedians engage in quirky challenges under Horne and Greg Davies’ whimsical supervision over ten episodes, his focus is evident.
In order for this real-life adaptation of the Taskmaster setting, where the general public can participate in a series of tasks similar to the show, to closely resemble the original, it’s crucial that even the smallest details like hardware and mechanisms are mirrored accurately.
Upon arriving, Horne expresses his astonishment at the intricacy he found. He’s hopeful that even those unfamiliar with Taskmaster will appreciate it, while die-hard fans might find it an exceptionally accurate portrayal of our eccentric series.
As a cinephile, I can’t help but marvel at that suspended lamp in the hallway. It’s strikingly similar to the ones we have back home – uncannily authentic, if you ask me!
Items featured in the show – such as the submarine sticker on the caravan and the cow statue in the yard – are dispersed all around, and certain ones even assume significant functions within the tasks themselves.
When competitors join the game, they’ll discover that every room is an enlarged yet accurate replica of the rooms they recognize from the popular series (like the hallway, sitting room, lab, etc.).
In the monumental and costly endeavor of bringing Taskmaster’s official 10th anniversary to life, I must admit, there’s a certain financial gamble involved. Even shows as beloved as Doctor Who have stumbled in their attempts to create immersive experiences that pay off. Yet here we are, taking the plunge – and at this very moment. The question is, why?
For the past five years, this project has been under development. It seemed intuitive for me to participate since it aligns with my desire to complete tasks. When viewing the program, I hope viewers find themselves thinking, ‘I could handle that task more effectively.’
Horne acknowledges that inspiration for the concept was drawn from another popular Channel 4 game, which made a successful shift from being a niche college favorite to a live television sensation.
He expresses his enthusiasm for The Crystal Maze live experience and hopes they won’t accidentally interfere with each other. He thinks the experience has a unique vibe, as it’s quite physically demanding – you actually need to slide down a slide. However, he’s not implying that this place isn’t excellent too.
Horne guides us swiftly through the entire process. Once participants move into the house, their journey unfolds in four main sections, or lanes if you will. At present, these sections provide two distinct task options each – “Melon Feast” and “Casual Cooking Extravaganza,” to use more descriptive titles.
Originally, the concept was to create four distinct paths, each representing sixteen or twenty varied assignments. However, as I ponder over the past, I vividly remember us realizing that this was simply too much. The sheer volume of tasks was overwhelming, making it challenging to grasp everything.
Instead of initially creating four separate lanes, opting for doubling the number of lanes at first made more sense. This setup gives us the mental preparation for having two additional lanes that can be activated later on.
Each lane holds a maximum capacity of 14 participants who work together as a team to complete four typical tasks, with everyone participating. The top five competitors are then selected and given the opportunity to participate in an exciting “live task”. Meanwhile, the remaining nine players continue competing among themselves for the title of ‘best of the worst’, offering a runner-up prize. The winners are awarded an extraordinary “money can’t buy” prize.
Although Horne and Davies weren’t physically present, they made their presence felt throughout the tour. Horne emphasized repeatedly that he and Greg were absent, but not to be forgotten. Meanwhile, a Taskmaster’s underling, portrayed by an actor, provided hints and scores, playing a crucial role in the proceedings.
url: https://www.instagram.com/p/C_3C9IvIOQw/
After finishing a Q&A session, Horne has been with 70 young Alex Hornes who are planning to emulate his style in suit and bright socks during the event. The first question they asked was, “Just how uncomfortable should we be?” I wasn’t certain if I should feel offended by that.
Equipped with cutting-edge display screens, advanced computer systems, and an attentive team monitoring through cameras, it’s poised to operate smoothly like a well-oiled machine. However, spectators are curious about several aspects of the event. For instance, why are the games designed for 14 participants? Why not 5 or even 10, as in the show – or if they were to grow, could they accommodate more?
When I was asked that question later on, I found myself pondering over it,” said Horne, comfortably settled in a room decorated with maritime themes. ” frankly, it’s an unusual figure, don’t you think?
I believe it was a mix of intuition and practical considerations that guided us. The factors included the capacity of the room and the financial viability of the event. We’ve successfully hosted events with 14 attendees, and surprisingly, it feels quite comfortable. It doesn’t feel overly crowded.
I wholeheartedly agree that Horne suggests a more personal approach to the course, allowing participants to engage in smaller groups if they so choose and are financially capable of doing so. Notably, all the courses are designed with inclusivity in mind, catering to individuals using wheelchairs, offering subtitles, and audio support. Moreover, there’s an exciting trial of “relaxed games” for those with additional accessibility requirements – making it clear that everyone is welcome here.
According to Horne, it’s possible to accomplish this task with just five individuals, though he suggests that the result might not be entirely satisfactory if fewer than five are involved. However, it can undoubtedly be done with five people, and the timings have been carefully fine-tuned using computers to make it work efficiently.
Typically, Horne designs the tasks, but their specific details are confidential – a secret shared among us. Laughing, Horne advises keeping solutions hidden since they’re aware of Reddit’s nature.
Nonetheless, let’s provide a few hints. To kick things off, there’ll be an initial challenge set in a space reminiscent of the show, followed by moving through the common areas of the house (living room, garage, lab) that you know so well. Here, you’ll encounter a variety of logic, mental, and physical tasks, all fresh experiences for you to enjoy.
Just like in the primary event, there are secret strategies and methods for victory tucked away within each room. However, due to the constraints of this format, tasks that require subjective judgement such as filmmaking, creating art, or any other activity with abstract criteria for evaluation, cannot be included.
As a devoted fan, I can tell you that Horne clarifies these revamped tasks aren’t about personal bias; instead, they’re based on objectivity. That means they can be measured accurately, ensuring consistent winners and losers each time. Embracing this change is something I, as a fan, eagerly anticipate.
He notes, “Restrictions simply imply that you need to operate within those boundaries.” During the production of our TV show, we encountered COVID-19 regulations, which meant we needed to arrange team tasks with a two-meter distance between contestants. Surprisingly, it turned out to be quite enjoyable. One task involved always maintaining a taut rope that was exactly two meters long because the length of the rope itself served as a boundary for the contestants.
These types of challenges actually bring enjoyment to me, as I find satisfaction in solving them. To clarify, they represent a distinct category of issues, but honestly, I’m okay with that.
Indeed, the seemingly straightforward task we tackled turned out to be quite captivating, much like a task portrayed on TV. I ended up recording this process, and found myself replaying approximately ten minutes filled with my grunts, as I persistently worked to finish it.
To be honest, I found myself remarkably single-minded during the interview, almost to the point of obliviousness. I also persisted for quite a while. As for the recorder, I’m not sure if I held onto it while I was tossing objects around. In any case, that’s beside the point…
Horne stated that we rarely needed to discard tasks after testing them because of my seemingly reliable intuition about what would be successful and what wouldn’t.
Will “Taskmaster Live” function effectively? When asking fans if they should try out this experience earlier in the year, approximately 600,000 people responded, demonstrating a strong interest. However, when tickets became available, some were taken aback by the prices (ranging from £50 to £100), while others found the 14-contestant setup perplexing.
Horne acknowledges that, just as the West End can be pricey, so too is the high-end [product/service]. He notes that it’s a delicate balance to turn a profit given the massive scale of construction required.
To recover the investment, it needs to be successful, and there’s a possibility it might not. This is similar to staging a play.
Additionally, it’s important to note that production also incurs other unforeseen costs, such as the wear and tear caused by contestants searching for clues and possibly damaging sets. Furthermore, although taking photos during the actual experience is prohibited, there might be alternative ways fans choose to remember their time there.
He chuckles, “I believe folks might take things,” implying that there’s a tub filled with rubber ducks in one of the labs. If I had spent £70 on an admission ticket…
“You’re nicking a rubber duck,” I suggest.
Horne concurs; it’s about taking a rubber duck, which isn’t exactly condoned… They’ll repeatedly remind you not to take things, but people do, and you end up shouldering the expense for it.
It appears they’re not attempting to exploit their supporters financially, as far as I can tell.
Horne appears somewhat conflicted about whether to include a small souvenir shop – “I just hope it doesn’t seem like… that’s not its purpose. However, visitors might desire mementos,” he ponders – and many aspects of the venue are gratis for the public, such as the museum showcasing iconic Taskmaster props, the themed bar, and dining areas (which, considering London prices, are reasonably priced at £6 per pint – I understand, I understand, we all pine for the ’90s).
If you’re simply looking to casually drop in, snap a photo with a cow, savor a “bin juice” cocktail, and admire a piece by Lee Mack without spending a dime, that’s absolutely possible!
If you opt for inviting 13 of your dearest friends, or simply a few companions along with 11 unknown individuals assigned on the day, you’ll undeniably encounter an authentic version of Taskmaster, brimming with pineapples, eggs, rubber ducks, and clever puzzles.
If your ambition is to become a Taskmaster, purchasing a ticket might be less expensive than embarking on a career in stand-up comedy, traveling to distant men’s clubs for years, all in the hopes that a kindly Avalon casting representative might take notice of you someday.
Currently, you’ve got until the end of January to indulge in any desire to participate in an authentic Taskmaster challenge. However, fingers crossed, Horne and team are optimistic that the game might persist in the future. If it does, expect potential updates like revised tasks, lanes, or even versions for different regions.
He says, ‘It’s like a blank slate.’ Essentially, if this project succeeds here – it’s massive in Sweden – we’d definitely consider expanding it there. In principle, I’d love to see it implemented in Manchester or elsewhere. It shouldn’t just cater to London. However, it must prove successful here initially.
In summary, Horne and his group are anxiously anticipating the outcome of their work. If it proves popular, the series’ momentum will continue unabated. However, if it fails – the repercussions might be harsher than a single point loss and a scolding from the Supervisor.
Horne suggests it’s a bit beyond our usual limits, but that’s precisely why it could be exciting – there’s a chance it might not succeed.
Taskmaster Live Experience is now available for a sneak peek, and will officially start on October 1st. Purchase your tickets right away at taskmasterliveexperience.com!
Taskmaster continues Thursdays at 9pm on Channel 4.
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2024-09-26 21:35