Jill is the woman of major events. Passionate about TV and music, she has directed La voix for two seasons and is undertaking Star Académie. Versatile, she has done reality TV (Occupation double), magazine (Sucré salé), travel (99 envies d’évasion), comedy (L’open mic de…), talk shows (Bonsoir, bonsoir), culinary competitions (Les chefs), recording (Marjo, amoureuse), variety (Plaza plaisir). Managing numerous cameras in control room, doing live editing, supervising several creative departments, she knows how. And she likes to take risks. Here she is captain of the 39th Prix Gémeaux Gala hosted by Pierre-Yves Lord. She talks about it with great enthusiasm while evoking the importance of making our content accessible and highly visible. Because TV brings us together.
How do you approach a gala? What is the share of obligations and what is the share of creation?
It’s basically a demarcated playground. The academy gives out prizes, 16 in two hours. It’s a traditional gala in the sequence of things. When I’m approached, it’s so that I can add my touch, my artistic touch. That’s what I do when I rework formats, which I’ve done a lot. Right from the start, I was able to review the scenography with Alexis Laurence (artistic director). We reworked items on the stage, optimized them to offer another proposition, a modernity. The scenography, the video screens and the lighting are my hobby horses. That’s where I want my voice to be heard. It’s the template for everything else.
Comedians are often given the role of host for galas. Pierre-Yves is hosting the Gémeaux for a second year, tell me about the colour he gives to the gala.
Pierre-Yves is not a comedian and does not have to be. That being said, he is one of the people who makes me laugh the most. His brain reveals an extreme curiosity. He has infinite references. His value is in bringing people together. He carries messages, energy. I would say that he is in festive, relevant and unifying mode. He has the desire to take each spectator by the hand.
Emmanuelle Plante
Last year the opening number was a real party. What to expect on Sunday?
Pierre-Yves’ tastes are very similar to mine. We have a common vision, a sense of celebration, a desire to deliver a message. We are both music fans, DJs in our spare time. We exchange playlists. So it will be a big 11-minute musical number that we worked on with Marie-Pierre Duval (content producer) and Alex McMahon (musical director). There will be inspirations from Elvis to 90s electro, with rap, afrobeat, disco, gospel. It will be like a vibration, pulsations. We want to be carried by something bigger than ourselves. Pierre-Yves will be the bearer of a message. He is not a singer but he will speak. We want to show that television is part of the solution to unite people, generations, families, communities. When we come together to listen to the same content, we feel like we are experiencing something together. I don’t think TV is going to die because it brings us together, allows us to see ourselves. It’s a mirror of who we are while also providing possible solutions.
What can you tell us about the content of the gala?
There will be an ode to youth television. It is what formed us, forged us. It is still very much alive. Young people just need to know how to tune in. It will be about its importance, its place in our education, in what we become. It will be followed by a performance with Fanny Bloom and dancers. We will recreate a real discotheque. It will be a rolling fire. We will shine a spotlight on some of the highlights of our television.
We often talk about the end of galas. How do you make sure you capture the audience’s attention?
Our job is to make the awards show interesting. We want it to speak to people. All the awards are given to shows and actors that people like. That’s our stardom. These people represent us, make us evolve, have left their mark on us in an intimate way. TV is a way to bring people together. It allows us to stand out. It’s important for our culture, for our joy of living. It’s a tip of the hat to those who make it. On Sunday, we’re going to have a dress rehearsal, then in the evening we’re all going to get dressed up. I’ll have my sequins and heels in my mobile to also experience the gala with a touch of glamour.
Gemini Awards Gala
Sunday 8 p.m. on ICI Télé
