While there’s no shortage of drama at Married At First Sight’s eagerly anticipated dinner parties, things aren’t always what they seem behind the scenes.
According to a report by Woman’s Day on Monday, plenty of strategic planning by the show’s producers helps ensure the dinner parties make good TV.
Although it may seem like they only last a couple of hours, shoots for the show’s emotionally charged dinner parties can run from six to eight hours.
Backstage pass: While there’s no shortage of drama at Married At First Sight’s eagerly anticipated dinner parties, things aren’t always what they seem behind the scenes
The show’s participants arrive at 3pm to have their hair and makeup styled, before shooting commences at 4pm.
It also takes around two hours for all the couples to arrive at the cocktail party, which precedes the dinner party.
Producers observe the interactions of the participants during the cocktail party and use this time to devise a seating plan for maximum drama.
Drama: According to a report by Woman’s Day on Monday, plenty of strategic planning by the show’s producers helps ensure the dinner parties make good TV. Pictured, Bryce Ruthven
Keeping watch: The show’s producers then sit in an off-set location and watch the events play out on monitors, similarly to the show’s ‘love experts’ (pictured)
Place cards are then written up, with the participants with the most tension between them seated closest to each other at the dinner table.
The show’s producers then sit in an off-set location and watch the events play out on monitors, similarly to the show’s ‘love experts’.
There are no reshoots during the dinner party scenes, with everything playing out onscreen as it originally happened.
Strategic seating: Place cards are written up, with participants with the most tension between them seated closest to each other at the dinner table. Pictured, Sam Carraro
Marathon: Although it may seem like they only last a couple of hours, shoots for the show’s emotionally charged dinner parties can run from six to eight hours. Pictured, Alana Lister
Ironically, not much eating takes place, with the show’s participants waiting for producers to give them the go-ahead to eat, which can sometimes take hours.
The participants are given one 30-minute break throughout the whole shoot, which takes place between the cocktail party and the dinner party.
During this time, the couples film their pieces to camera, before then walking back into the party.
Making an entrance: It takes around two hours for all the couples to arrive at the cocktail party, which precedes the dinner party. Pictured, Coco Stedman
Cheers: Unsurprisingly, there’s plenty of alcohol available, with the participants offered a variety of beer and wine at the cocktail party
They are instructed not to talk to each other during the break so that the best conversations and confrontations play out in front of the cameras.
Unsurprisingly, there’s plenty of alcohol available, with the participants offered a variety of beer and wine at the cocktail party.
Things are a little more restricted during the dinner party though, with only six bottles of red wine on the table.
Reporting back: The couples are given a 30-minute break to film their pieces to camera, before then walking back into the party. Pictured, Jake Edwards and Rebecca Zemek
Each week, someone is cut off from the bar, and if there’s an altercation, the people involved are immediately cut off.
In an interview with the Mirror last month, former MAFS star Jessika Power revealed the show’s producers would often ply her with spirits.
‘They noticed it got me a bit sassy. I would never get cut off. It’s sounds bad against the network but they were actually really supportive,’ she confessed.
Fight club: Each week, someone is cut off from the bar, and if there’s an altercation, the people involved are immediately cut off. Pictured, Joanne Todd and Johnny Balbuziente