"You forget the camera"

Got together for the filming of "Sing meinen Song" in Gran Canaria: Francine Jordi, Marc Storace, host Seven, Stefanie Heinzmann, Ritschi, Steff La Cheffe and Loco Estrico (left to right).

Advertising Week: How would you describe the one week of filming on the island of Gran Canaria in three key words?

Seven: Emotional, musical and bonding.

Let's start with Emotional: What was so emotional?

We have seven musicians who deal with their own music more or less day and night, who turn their inner selves outward with the song lyrics, and they sit together and sing songs for each other. Suddenly you hear your song coming out of another artist's mouth, ten feet away, and it does something to you. It's highly emotional, you experience your own music completely new through it.

Were there tears?

That can really get to you, extreme emotions are pre-programmed. You forget about the camera.

If things really happen that are certainly exciting for the viewer but not bearable for the protagonist, can these moments be cut out?

That's one of the conditions that made us embark on this journey in this format in the first place. This right to have a say is essential so that you can open up in front of the camera at all. So yes, of course you can say that you want to have something cut out.

But as viewers on television, we can see when someone sings off-key or forgets the words. 

Yes, because it is human and therefore also permitted. These are not big things. It happens. And it also shows how much courage it takes to get involved in something like this. You're so excited, it's unbelievable.

At the same time, all the musicians have performed with their own music in front of thousands of people.

It's much harder to sing in front of six people and then not even your own song than it is to sing in front of 10,000 people you don't know.

Welding together: Were you a different group on the return flight?

Yes, it's crazy how you grow together in such a short time, because everyone lets their pants down and shows themselves in a way you wouldn't have thought possible. The structure is fragile, and if someone steps out of line, everything can topple.

Can you explain that in more detail?

Even when I was selecting the artists, I thought about the individual characters and how they fit in. It takes an enormous amount of respect and also courage. Respect for each other's music and courage to venture out of your comfort zone into unknown territory. We're like a scout troop now, and we're really looking forward to seeing each other again.

Musically: You have chosen really well, the diversity of the Swiss music scene is super reflected. Schlager, rap, Latino, funk, soul, pop, everything is there. I would be curious to know how, for example, Francine Jordi gets along with your songs?

You will be surprised, I can already say that clearly. Francine Jordi in particular can simply do everything, she is a studied singer and pianist. That's the great thing about sing meinen Song, you experience the musicians in a completely different way than just with their genre, they can present completely new sides of themselves. Just great, I'm very happy when Switzerland gets to see that.

You are the host in this round. How did you feel when TV24 asked you?

I had an awful lot of concerns, but of course I was also very flattered. I wondered whether this format would work in Switzerland. I told the station that if I did it, it would have to be at least as good as in Germany. And so they gave me a lot of freedom. I chose the artists and also the musicians. I worked closely with the production company Habegger. The direction is an important interface.

How did you prepare for this?

Of course, I had to make sure that everything didn't blow up in our faces, set the rhythm, steer things a bit here and there, but of course I called all my host colleagues from Germany - Xavier Naidoo, Michael Patrick Kelly, Boss Hoss - and picked up tips and experience. And then I called on myself again and looked at what was important to me, how I wanted to present myself.

And, satisfied?

Yes, the whole concept worked out, we had an insanely intense and emotional time.

After all, after each evening the song of the evening is determined, and the artist who has touched the most is given an object. Tell us what it is, a flute or a rose perhaps?

(laughs) No, you'll have to see that in the show, but I can tell you it's very funny.

Where will you watch the shows when they air on TV24?

We have agreed that the person whose songs will be sung that evening will always be invited. I hope it works out. It would be wonderful to reunite the scout troop for these evenings.

Read more background, an interview with Roger Elsener from CH Media and Habegger's challenges with the technical implementation in Werbewoche 1-2/2020, which will be published on February 6.