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These three words are synonymous with a glittering Hollywood studio production but at the SABC studios its goes something like, “We’re going live in 5.., 4.., 3.., .., ..!” and it’s still as glamorous.

I had the privilege of witnessing the live broadcast of the Cricket World Cup show hosted by Kass Naidoo at the SABC studios in Auckland Park.

Sometimes as the unassuming audience we often forget how much work goes on behind the scenes of a live broadcast. There are so many factors to consider, every action has to be performed at its precise time, no sooner or later.

Everyone is like a chain link, without the one member everything can fall apart.

Without the producer, who is responsible for the smooth running of the show there can be no show, just like there can be no show without the director, vision controllers, sound engineers, lighting technicians, cameramen, make-up artist any many more people.

Everyone has an important role to play in the final product. The atmosphere at the studios is quite relaxed. Everything flows eloquently and the only visible intensity is between Kass and her studio guests.

However, what I do not see is the action happening above us in the production studio. This room is filled with switchboards and television monitors which show all the different camera views and angles.

Ultimately this is where all the decisions are made. The producer and his crew decide on the sound we hear, the pictures we see, the type of lighting on set and the whole look and feel of the show.

It’s unbelievable that the live feed we see on television is conducted in a dull cramped studio as opposed to the vibey colourful image we get on our televisions.

All the lights and camera’s hanging around are enough to make any amateur uneasy and intimidated, but Kass, who is clearly no first timer carried herself with ease and finesse.

The men at the helm of her frank questions were Monde Zondeki and Adam Bacher. They were all powdered up and made up and handled the questions without flinching, clearly showing their cricketing knowledge.

On the contrary I’m sure they’d rather be put under such pressure on the cricket field rather than in front of the camera.

The whole experience was a definite eye opener. The exposure to a different type of cricket broadcasting in this diverse profession was very enlightening.

Yes, radio, newspaper, magazine and internet broadcasting are all interesting in their own right, but television is by far the most glamorous and fascinating.

Twenty-year-old gsport member Lerato Malekutu is originally from Tzaneen, and is currently studying journalism at the University of Johannesburg. Her ambition is to become editor of the Wisden Cricketing Almanack.