Behind-the-scenes tour of “La Voix”

The production of “La Voix” is already a complex operation to carry out every week. Imagine in times of pandemic, with a series of tight sanitary rules to follow, on stage and backstage!

Chantal Lépine, executive producer of the show, toured the set of “La Voix” at the QMI Agency on Friday, October 2, while rehearsals were held for the gala which would take place two days later. On the menu: passionate artisans, supercharged rehearsals, masked faces and people left behind!

Safe entry
As soon as you enter the MELS studio in the Saint-Hubert borough in Longueuil, a health protocol is required. Hand washing, taking temperature, filling out forms and distributing masks are compulsory for anyone wishing to pass through the main door, where security has also been increased. “Before, there were different doors, for spectators, for the public … Now everything is centralized in the same place. You have to go through customs, in a way! ” Chantal Lépine laughs.

Guardian Angels
Pandemic or not, first aid attendants are always on duty on the set of “La Voix”, a measure imposed by the Commission des normes, de l’énergie, de la santé et de la sécurité du travail (CNESST) for workers. places where large numbers of people work, or likely to rally crowds.

Meals and snacks
Previously, the set of “La Voix” was irreproachable from an environmental point of view, particularly in terms of snacks. COVID-19 has unfortunately created an obligation to return to individual formats of cookies, sachets of nuts and compotes, and bottles of water. These are neatly arranged in boxes on a backstage table to prevent all hands from fiddling with all the products. “We were exemplary before,” notes Chantal Lépine. We had eliminated plastic, prepackaging and disposable utensils, we had reusable bottles and we had a canteen to cook snacks and salads.

Safe entry

As soon as you enter the MELS studio in the Saint-Hubert borough in Longueuil, a health protocol is required. Hand washing, taking temperature, filling out forms and distributing masks are compulsory for anyone wishing to pass through the main door, where security has also been increased. “Before, there were different doors, for the spectators, for the public … Now we have to separate everything. It is sad.” For distance, the cafeteria has also been redesigned and divided into several rooms, and artists and artisans can now only be two to share the same table. “We have identified groups of people, and each has its own cafeteria.” We have also ruled out common lodges. Everyone is now preparing in their own space.

Keep your distance!
Véronique Lachance, health coordinator (and manager at Cirque du Soleil), was recently hired by the production to ensure the proper application of government instructions. Among other responsibilities, she must constantly make sure that a distance of two meters separates people, and uses this long rod to measure distances. She received specific training for this function. “I also make sure that workers are protected by wearing glasses and masks at all times. I “babysit”, I repeat constantly! ” she recounts.

Live reactions
With the ban on gathering an audience inside, the usual spectator stands have been replaced by screens. As seen last week, the families of candidates can thus react directly to the services of their protege, from their home. “We contact them just before to do tests, and we then send the families to the screens,” explains Chantal Lépine.

Distanced chairs
We hardly notice it on the screen, but the chairs of coaches Pierre Lapointe, Marc Dupré, Cœur de pirate and Garou were moved away from each other, two meters apart, in the context. Normally, the bleachers rise behind the coach benches, and other small groups of spectators are scattered here and there in the studio, which is not possible in 2020.

Dancing … from afar
Choreographer Davy Boisvert works closely with the health coordinator to confirm that a two-meter space separates the artists on stage. In the background, France D’Amour repeats its success “The common thread”.

A working weekend
The director Jean-François Blais gives his instructions to France D’Amour, one of the guests of the week. In preparation for each Sunday show of “La Voix”, rehearsals begin on Friday, with sound tests. On Saturdays, all candidates are called upon to practice with cameras. Sunday afternoon, there is a dress rehearsal, before the evening’s live.

To each candidate his microphone
“Each microphone, each earpiece is disinfected after the performance of the candidates, one by one. It’s a big logistics. Things are already going fast, but this year, things are going even faster… ”, explains Francis Gaudreau, radiofrequency technician, responsible for the handling and maintenance of stage electronic devices.

“Wash the dishes”
When they leave the stage, participants must put their technical accessories in these “dishwashing” bins, which will then be disinfected.

The CCM corridor
The corridor leading to the “CCM” rooms (hairstyle, costumes, make-up). The sanitary rules, once again, are clearly there.

Dressing!
In the costume workshop, stylist Marie-Kim Mercier sees to the candidates’ style, in comfort and the right look.

Scissors
Artistic Director Véronique Pelchat cuts the hair of Music Director David Laflèche, just before the Sunday live.

Brush strokes
The head makeup artist Marco Marsolais makes up the coach Marc Dupré, just before the Sunday live.

3, 2, 1 …
In the mobile control room, director Luc Sirois and his colleagues Mélanie Boileau, Pierre Diamond and Christian Gibeault are preparing to give the starting signal, a few minutes before the start of the Sunday live.

The end is approaching for “La Voix”, while “Star Académie” will make a comeback in winter.
“We are doing denial,” admits Chantal Lépine. I think we will have it in the face, that we will perform at the last “show”. We all wish it would come back. We have a great team in place. We’re like a family. It’s such an intense project, we have become very united. One thing is certain, we will remember our last year! ”

Changes were made to the format of “La Voix” due to the pandemic, in Quebec and elsewhere in the world.
“I am in contact with Mick DeBoer, representative of the (original) Dutch format,” explains Chantal Lépine. I keep him posted as and when there are changes, whether in our decor or in terms of content. Usually he would be with us. He always comes to visit us at the start of each block, but right now, under the circumstances, he can’t travel. We communicate by email and FaceTime. The relations are good, the trust is there and we have proven ourselves, as what we deliver a quality program. “