The stage was set to thrill, literally and figuratively. The judges – all of whom have impeccable credentials – could finally sit back and relax, actually happy that they are out of a job.
The invitiation said "dress to impress" – and the quintessential little black dresses vie with a rainbow of colours and textures, in varying skirt lengths, and stages of undress.
"The red carpet treatment" was just that! Nominees who had parked their vehicles at the Luxol Grounds, were ferried by limousine to the start of the red carpet area just outside the entrance of the magnificent Grand Master’s Suite at the Hilton, to be met by a gigantic screen and outstanding set designed by Nexos. There was a rajah’s ransom in jewellery, tonnes of make-up, and zillions of air-kisses as our "faces" and "names" sauntered into the welcome area for a Campari cocktail. This was the ultimate rendezvous of the Maltese Media Clans.
All the frenetic planning and mind-boggling logistics slotted neatly together, as masterminded by Noelene Miggiani. I asked her a couple of questions.
What made you decide to institute the Awards?
We recognised that there was a void in the TV industry. There are awards for fashion, media and print journalism, music, and so forth. An industry that has a substantial amount of turnover missed a body that recognised and rewarded local television talent, be it technical, creative or performance-related.
The logistics must be such a hassle... is the end result worth it?
There is nothing simple or plain sailing with the awards – from listing the awards categories, to approaching the judges and the logistics. Is it worth it? Not really, but the encouragement we receive from many in the industry gives us the stamina to break the barriers that linger in certain corridors. These are the people who appreciate the fact that not winning an award does not mean that the system or the jury was not competent or even tampered with. They realise that it is a sign that they must do better for next year and that ultimately only one production or performer can go back home with the "mermaid".
Ah! The judges. How do you select those?
We make sure that they have proved themselves to be competent, credible and unbiased. We even give them a declaration to sign to this effect. In fact we did have a refusal or two.
How is the voting process carried out?
The judges see the material in their own time, in the privacy of their own homes. We give them a deadline by which they have to turn in the votes.
How are the people’s favourites selected?
Viewers may vote for their favourite television personality and programme by sending the name of both to an SMS number allocated to each station. Voting closed at midnight on Thursday. And of course we worked through the night to assess and tabulate results.
How are the candidates for the Charles Arrigo award picked?
We asked the TV stations for nominations and the jury voted.
Do you, personally, have the casting vote if there are ties in the results?
No; we use the same scheme used for other competitions and contests; the system through which the person who obtains the highest single units of votes, and not, in that case, the aggregate, would win.
This year’s event was so much bigger than last year’s…
The number of nominations has jumped from 198 to 265; this year we introduced Best Cameraman and included Favourite Television Programme in the People’s Choice, thus giving the public the chance to vote for both favourite personality and programme. It’s a sure sign that the TV industry has recognised and valued our effort and credibility.
Why is the trophy a "mermaid"?
It was a natural progression of an association of ideas. We wanted something reminiscent of Malta – but not the stereotypical Maltese Cross. Malta is an island vaguely formed like a fish – and fish don’t get more glamorous than a mermaid…
The invitiation said "dress to impress" – and the quintessential little black dresses vie with a rainbow of colours and textures, in varying skirt lengths, and stages of undress.
"The red carpet treatment" was just that! Nominees who had parked their vehicles at the Luxol Grounds, were ferried by limousine to the start of the red carpet area just outside the entrance of the magnificent Grand Master’s Suite at the Hilton, to be met by a gigantic screen and outstanding set designed by Nexos. There was a rajah’s ransom in jewellery, tonnes of make-up, and zillions of air-kisses as our "faces" and "names" sauntered into the welcome area for a Campari cocktail. This was the ultimate rendezvous of the Maltese Media Clans.
All the frenetic planning and mind-boggling logistics slotted neatly together, as masterminded by Noelene Miggiani. I asked her a couple of questions.
What made you decide to institute the Awards?
We recognised that there was a void in the TV industry. There are awards for fashion, media and print journalism, music, and so forth. An industry that has a substantial amount of turnover missed a body that recognised and rewarded local television talent, be it technical, creative or performance-related.
The logistics must be such a hassle... is the end result worth it?
There is nothing simple or plain sailing with the awards – from listing the awards categories, to approaching the judges and the logistics. Is it worth it? Not really, but the encouragement we receive from many in the industry gives us the stamina to break the barriers that linger in certain corridors. These are the people who appreciate the fact that not winning an award does not mean that the system or the jury was not competent or even tampered with. They realise that it is a sign that they must do better for next year and that ultimately only one production or performer can go back home with the "mermaid".
Ah! The judges. How do you select those?
We make sure that they have proved themselves to be competent, credible and unbiased. We even give them a declaration to sign to this effect. In fact we did have a refusal or two.
How is the voting process carried out?
The judges see the material in their own time, in the privacy of their own homes. We give them a deadline by which they have to turn in the votes.
How are the people’s favourites selected?
Viewers may vote for their favourite television personality and programme by sending the name of both to an SMS number allocated to each station. Voting closed at midnight on Thursday. And of course we worked through the night to assess and tabulate results.
How are the candidates for the Charles Arrigo award picked?
We asked the TV stations for nominations and the jury voted.
Do you, personally, have the casting vote if there are ties in the results?
No; we use the same scheme used for other competitions and contests; the system through which the person who obtains the highest single units of votes, and not, in that case, the aggregate, would win.
This year’s event was so much bigger than last year’s…
The number of nominations has jumped from 198 to 265; this year we introduced Best Cameraman and included Favourite Television Programme in the People’s Choice, thus giving the public the chance to vote for both favourite personality and programme. It’s a sure sign that the TV industry has recognised and valued our effort and credibility.
Why is the trophy a "mermaid"?
It was a natural progression of an association of ideas. We wanted something reminiscent of Malta – but not the stereotypical Maltese Cross. Malta is an island vaguely formed like a fish – and fish don’t get more glamorous than a mermaid…