Captain Kerry Titheradge and his crew are back for Below Deck season 12, and new editing techniques from within the franchise are making their way to the OG. Once considered the strongest show within the franchise, Below Deck is struggling to retain its glory. It must compete with its wide array of spin-offs, many of which are just now hitting their strides. Below Deck, which has aired since 2013, is under pressure to find ways to appeal to restless viewers. Fortunately, the first glimpses of the new season suggest that editors are shaking things up in the best way.
In addition to Captain Kerry, Below Deck season 12. Rounding out the crew are Chef Lawrence Snowden, Bosun Caio Poltronieri, Deckhands Jess Theron and Damo Yorg, and Stews Barbara Kulaif, Rainbeau de Roos, and Solène Favreau.
Below Deck's Franchise Was Getting Stale
The Storylines Felt Tired & Overproduced
Below Deck has been a powerhouse among reality television shows, but I believe an update is well overdue. While the filming techniques and production have drastically improved since the early seasons, the show has hit a lull in recent years. With so many seasons and spinoffs, it’s hard to find a storyline that doesn’t feel stale and repeated. Many of the series’ most common points of tension, from incompetent stews to arrogant chefs, are simply becoming tropes. Even the boatmances and wild nights out have lost their spark after all these years.
Below Deck has also faced accusations of being overproduced. Much of the drama feels facilitated by production, and this is exacerbated by an increasing number of crew and guests who use the show as a launch pad for influencing ambitions. Paired with a near-constant stream of new episodes between the rotating series, it’s extremely difficult to regain the sense of originality that was so sacred in early seasons.
The delivery of a show is entirely in producers’ hands, and the way information is processed can completely change the feel of the season.
Short of production interference, which can easily destroy a reality show, new editing techniques are the most effective way to give viewers a more organic experience. The delivery of a show is entirely in producers’ hands, and the way information is processed can completely change the feel of the season. I’m convinced the best way for Below Deck to regain its authentic, unexpected vibe is to embrace experimental techniques that deliver information to viewers in a new format.
Below Deck Season 12 Has New Editing Techniques Like BDDU Season 3
BDDU Utilized Creative Means Of Conveying Information
Below Deck Down Under season 3 shook things up with several new editing techniques that helped relay the true experiences of those aboard the ship. Crew and primary guests were introduced with an on-screen write-up, which struck me as a callback to yachtie CVs and guest preference sheets. The write-ups broke down both essential and completely superfluous information, ranging from hometown and years of experience to favorite foods.
Furthermore, because BDDU season 3 took place on the largest yacht in franchise history, more effort was put into conveying the crews’ exhaustion amid the rough conditions. A step counter tracked the stews’ exertion as they ran up and down two flights of stairs for each meal service, and the temperature and humidity were often displayed in corner of the screen. As a viewer, I felt like these elements really brought me into the experience, and they helped bring the hard work of the crew to life.
Below Deck Season 12 Breaks The Fourth Wall Early On
Chef Lawrence Acknowledges The Cameras’ Presence
Fortunately, Below Deck season 12 appears to be following Below Deck Down Under’s lead of prioritizing a more genuine viewer experience. In a preview shared by Bravo, the season begins with the crew all arriving at once and taking a tender to the St. David. Cameras walk alongside them as they pick up their uniforms, capturing the new cast ’ questions while Fraser serves as a knowledgeable guide. I appreciate the dedication of time to the crews’ acclimation to the boat together, rather than showing bits and pieces like in past seasons.
Within minutes, Chef Lawrence Snowden breaks the fourth wall, asking production to pause while he finds his bearings. He then catches himself, asking, “Am I not allowed to talk to you?” It’s refreshing to see the show finally give up the pretense that cameras don’t exist. We all know a film crew is present, and it detracts from the authenticity of the situation to pretend the cameras aren’t there. As Chef Lawrence says, with the cameras “watching your every move, there’s no hiding.”
This far into the franchise’s history, it’s a wise choice to acknowledge the layer of complexity filming adds to the yachties’ experiences. This not only delivers more reality, but it also adds another layer of interest. As silly as it sounds, it feels like production is letting me in on a secret, which instantly grabs my attention. I’m eager to see whether breaking the fourth wall is something that continues throughout the season.
Below Deck Season 12 Seems Like It Will Exceed My Expectations
This Might Be The Best Season Yet
The first moments of Below Deck season 12 restored my confidence in the series. I’m excited that producers are using a more down-to-earth editing style. Lawrence’s breaking the fourth wall may have been a mistake, but I’m sure it’s a common occurrence among the crew. Their acclimation to being on camera is a big part of their story, and it shouldn’t end up on the cutting room floor.
The adventurous editing gives me hope that Below Deck season 12 will embrace other experimental styles, similar to the step counts and temperature gauge from BDDU. These elements help place viewers within the story, which is so important for keeping their attention, especially after all these years. It’s easy to forget the mental and physical exhaustion that’s at play for the crew. Reminders like step counts and acknowledgment of the cameras up the ante for high-stakes drama even further.
Below Deck season 12 premieres on Monday, June 2 at 8 p.m. ET on Bravo.
New editing techniques will offer endless possibilities for keeping Below Deck feeling new and unique. I’m thrilled at the prospect of seeing more of the footage that ordinarily wouldn’t make it onto the air. If producers were willing to include Chef Lawrence’s slipup mere minutes into the season, I have a good feeling they have plenty of other surprises in store. An editing overhaul has the potential to give season 12 a completely modern feel, which would easily put it in the running for the best season to date.
Source: Bravo
Below Deck
- Release Date
- July 1, 2013
- Writers
- Mark Cronin
- Franchise(s)
- Below Deck
Cast
Lee Rosbach-
WHERE TO WATCH
- Creator(s)
- Mark Cronin
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