The Apprentice is a British reality television show that has aired for 15 years on BBC. The show follows a group of businesspeople competing in tasks assigned by businessman Lord Sugar over the course of 12 weeks. Lord Sugar and his associates judge the candidates' performance in the tasks to determine who will become Lord Sugar's business partner and receive £250,000 to invest in their business. The 2016 season premiere had over 7 million viewers. The opening sequence establishes the competitive nature of the show and wealth of its participants through shots of London, luxury vehicles, and interviews with candidates emphasizing their drive to win.

1. REALITY TV
RESEARCH
CONVENTIONS
THE APPRENTICE
2016
B Y B R O O K E C

2. THE
APPRENTICE OVERVIEW
• The Apprentice is a British television game
show which has been broadcasted by
BBC for 15 years, creating 15 series
and 210 episodes (including 26 specials).
The programs prime focus is for a group
of business Indvidual's to complete
different business tasks each week which
is set by the Entrepreneur Lord Sugar and
is assisted with two close business
associates Karen Brady and Claude
Littner. The aim of the show is to be Lord
sugar business partner and for him to
invest £250,000 into the candidate's
business. The 2016 series of Apprentice
had 7.28 million views.

3. https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b07ynzyc/the-apprentice-series-12-
1-collectables
Here is the opening sequence for The Apprentice
2016 show.

4. Camera
The First scene of the opening
sequence is an establishing
wide shot with a high angle shot
of the city London allowing an
expansive view of the location
emphasising the economic
facilities in the city also creating
the power of the program.
At the end of the
opening sequence, we
see close up and a
side portrait of Lord
sugar. By the intro
ending on lord sugar
this allow the
main focus on him
The close up of the Rolls
Royce shows the
authority and power Lord
Sugar has emphasising
his importance and
wealth.
Also, in the opening
sequence there is a
close up of a candidates
Heels which is
emphasising the mise en
scene showing the
professionalism of the
show.
In the middle of the intro, we see close
ups of some of the candidates being
interviewed saying one liners and
showing their competitiveness this is
allowing the audience see an insight in
each candidate.

5. MISE EN SCENE
Throughout the show
the candidates and
entrepreneurs are
dressed in smart
work attire e.g., Men
in suits, Women in
dress and heels. The
costume reflect the
money and wealth of
the program and the
intense
competitiveness.
There is a various of
locations throughout the
opening sequence e.g.,
Airport, train stations,
board room, London
bridge showing the vast
areas the candidates will
be competing in the
challenges.
Also, in the opening
sequence the candidates
have props such as
notebooks and pens to
write down note's
budgets and ideas. This
is emphasising the
importance of the tasks
and the professional
Also, the use of private
jets and high luxury cars
(Rolls Royce) is also
highlighting the wealth
and power of the
program and
showing the

6. EDITING
Throughout the first 3 minutes
there is fast past crosscut of the
candidates with suitcases
walking through the city
London. This creates tension of
what is happening but also
building up the action
exaggerating the movement
between locations.
Throughout the
opening sequence we see
previews of the 12 weeks
ahead. Showing the ups and
downs of individuals and what
to expect from the show.
At the end of the intro,
we see Sans Serif titles
this shows the boldness
and importance of the
show emphasising the
power and authority but
also the respect for the
show.

7. SOUND
Throughout the opening
sequence we hear a non-
diegetic tense soundtrack in
the background. "Dance of the
Knights" by Prokofiev. This is
emphasising tension of the
show and creating mood also
building
up each candidate's personalit
y but the 12 weeks ahead
intensifying what is going
to happen.
For the duration of the
opening sequence, there
is a non-
diegetic voiceover of a
narrator explaining
the location and
the show allowing the
audience to have a full
understanding and
insight of the candidates,
Lord sugar and his
business associates, loc
ation and the 12 weeks
ahead.
Also, we hear diegetic sound of the
candidates being interviewed this
allows the audience to build a rapport
and have an insight of their
personalities.