Anatomy of a Challenge

Behind the scenes of Survivor China: Anatomy of a Challenge

Survivor: China Host Jeff Probst shows you how a Survivor Challenge is constructed from the ground up.

Video:

Transcript (thanks to James Barber):

Jeff: I hope you're enjoying these behind the scenes Survivor tidbits. The next one we're gonna do is the anatomy of a challenge. We're literally gonna take you from start to finish where an idea comes from and all the way through construction of it. Dan Munday, one of our producers, he's also the production designer, he's also a creator of challenges. Tell us about this challenge, which is called "The Great Wall." The basic idea of where it comes from and how you get it to completion.

Dan: The Great Wall challenge is something for 4 people. It's something that's physical, it's dexterity, it's a mental challenge. It's going to involve iconic images of China. Those images are - the Great Wall of China, and Chinese bridges. We're gonna use whatever we can to make a nice, big, beefy Survivor challenge. First thing is to get out there and measure the location. We have to push the build into the location. The constraints of the location will determine the size and shape of pretty much everything we build. So what we've got here is the prototype of one of the puzzles for the Great Wall. Sometimes it's easier rather than do it on paper is to actually do it physically. Here we're using polystyrene, just cause it's nice and light and easy to work with. Once it works, we'll turn it into wood. This will eventually be a whole heap of bricks, the final part of the puzzle.

Jeff: Alright, so once everything is built in the art department, we have the frame built out on location, the next step is to take and put all the pieces together. That's what's been going on the last few days. I think you're gonna see quite a transformation, as what was once an empty frame is now quickly becoming a replica of the great wall of China.

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Jeff: One of the nice things for me about doing these behind the scenes stories is I have been reminded of how hard everybody works. by the time this challenge is up and ready to go, it will probably be a month of construction.

<various workers come over to see the camera>

Jeff: It's because of guys like this. They're all coming over to check out what I'm doing.

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Jeff: We're doing the anatomy of a challenge, how it all comes together. You were doing some pretty interesting painting on the wall. What was that?

Bernie: That's (?). We're trying to make the wall look like it's made out of stone, not wood. We started off by making it look like it was brand new. We got the stone affects and texture, so it reads oncamera, just doesn't look all flat.

Jeff: There's only two days now before we shoot the Great Wall, so what's happening today is a test block. This is literally the first chance we get to see a challenge, look at all the elements, see how they're gonna play, and then...this is where we would start to make any adjustments to make sure the challenge is gonna play the way we want it to.

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Jeff: Now one thing that will happen when you're out here this long and building challenges of this size, is injuries will occur. One of our medical people - give me the update, what happened.

Jing: He told me 2 days ago, working on the side with the...(Jeff says "nail gun") the nail somehow got into his head.

Jeff: A nail went into his head?

Jing: He told me. Now he's had 2 days dizziness and a headache.

Jeff: Dizziness and a headache. So you're gonna take him back to the clinic?

Jing: Yes, to doublecheck he's OK.

Jeff: Thank you. Good luck.

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Jeff: John, we're doing a test block for the Great Wall. We've already made one change. Explain what it is.

John: Originally we had these hooks holding onto the baskets they could carry. We decided to just replace them with ropes they could hang on, because less elements to screw up, the better for the challenge.

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Jeff: Dave Dryden - what does a test block offer you?

Dave: It's my first chance to see how the challenge runs, my first chance to get a look at what they've created.

<John calls out some orders for the rest run>

Jeff: Munday, how'd the test block go?

Dan: Test block went well. Just a couple of changes to make things a bit safer and run smooth. The puzzles work well, the game plays well; it's pretty exciting.

Jeff: Next thing you see will be a full-on rehearsal.

<shots of the dream team rehearsing>

Jeff: We are in the midst of a final rehearsal for the Great Wall. This gives Dave Dryden, our director, a chance to figure out where he wants to put all the camera operators.

Dave: Right now, they're on top of each other.

Jeff: That's why we rehearse. On the day, they won't be on top of each other, right Dave?

Dave: That's right. We're getting there.

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Jeff: Graham, how many point of view cameras will you put up for an average challenge?

Graham: About 6.

Jeff: 6. So you'll watch a rehearsal as well and try to figure out the best placement for them?

Graham: Pretty much. Just sit back and see where the other cameras can't get to, and try and find some interesting shots, find some little spot to hide my cameras. Sometimes they're in the line of fire, like this one. Hopefully it will get a shot before it gets trampled on.

"Ninja": What we focus on during the challenge is we've rehearsed it with camera, we've looked at tape where we can see where we can do better, what worked out well - then when we get in the challenge, it's following the story, whether it's from the start to the finish, who's doing well, and often, which is better, is who's not doing well. That's a big part of the story, who's not doing well in a challenge. You can always focus on the winner, but who's losing and who may be in jeopardy at Tribal Council is who may be voted out.

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Jeff: What's your worst nightmare on a shoot?

Scott: The worst thing is equipment failure right in the middle of a challenge, right in the middle of a major reality. We don't have take 2s on this show, so we have to get it there at this time.

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Jeff: Just saw somebody we need an update from. Last time we saw you, you were with somebody who had a nail gun go in his head. Is he OK?

Jing: He's OK. We took him to the hospital to doublecheck. Everything's fine. He's happily back to work.

Jeff: Perfect. Thanks for the update.

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Jeff: That does it here at the Great Wall. We had a great rehearsal. Dan Munday's happy, Dave Dryden's happy, John Kirhoffer, you happy?

John: I'm happy. Ecstatic. This is one of those challenges that's huge, from conception right to now, it ran the way we planned it, very little modification. If it runs this way tomorrow, I will be doing backflips.

Jeff: Well, we hope you have enjoyed it. As John said, to conception, to construction, to completion. What it takes to get a challenge up and running. That is it for this behind the scenes. Hope you're enjoying Survivor: China.