Malta's producer will have his eyes peeled for the camera work to ensure the shots of Chiara are perfected today when she undergoes two back-to-back dress rehearsals at the Olympiyski Arena.

"There are one or two camera shots that are not ideal, so we plan to perfect them. At the end of the song we have to see Chiara, not her arm and hand," Munro Forbes said.

He felt that generally, the camera work was fine, albeit a bit repetitive at times and he hoped today would give the team the chance to ensure it was a bit more interesting.

Attention will also be given to the way the dry ice drifts on stage because the other time the stage doors were open and Chiara's throat dried up.

Mr Forbes, who has 21 years experience in the field and was executive producer of two Junior Eurovision Song Contests, has been roped in by the Maltese delegation for his expertise.

He was the one who tapped his wealth of contacts when the contest's production team dug its heels in and refused to change the Atlantis-style backdrop that was screened during the first rehearsal of the Eurovision Song Contest.

"We had to be a bit heavy-handed because they did not want to budge. We insisted because we felt it ruined the song. They had to reprogram 30 servers, but they finally conceded," he said.

Other countries, such as Armenia, were not so lucky and they were lumped with the backdrop that was chosen for them, even though they were unhappy with it.

With regard to comments that Chiara's low notes were barely audible in the audience during Friday's rehearsal, Mr Forbes said what was important was that the audio sounded just right on television.

He said it was impossible to gauge the sound in the arena when there was no crowd and the seating was not yet in place: "It's nonsense to make such comments. The sound on television is very good."

Considering his experience, was he confident Chiara would sail through tomorrow's semi-final?

"I am confident she will perform well and the look will be right, but you never know what type of song people prefer, or if they want a ballad," he said.

Mr Forbes pointed out that nothing more could be achieved from the delegation's end and it was now in Chiara's hands. He would not be drawn into saying whether Malta would surpass the first hurdle.

"I cannot say absolutely. I've worked with countries where we were told we would breeze through but then we fell just short of qualifying. And then it's a big shock," he said.

"Let's remain grounded and hope for the best. Nothing is certain and it's dangerous for people to assume anything."

The choice of who makes it through the semi-final to compete in Saturday's contest is up to millions of televiewers. However, for the first time since 1997, a jury is being reintroduced for the final where viewers and professional juries from the 42 competing countries each have a 50 per cent stake in the outcome.

Chiara is confident and ready to go. Yesterday she spent a stress-free morning touring the Kremlin's grounds and Moscow's famous Red Square. She ended the day at the Euroclub where she attended the Mayor's bash, attracting the media's attention and mingling with all the Eurovision's contestants.