In our interview Jon Ola Sand discusses what the job of Executive Supervisor actually involves, and how he sees the job from a different perspective, having been the Executive Producer of the 2010 Eurovision Song Contest, as well as being the Head of Delegation for Norway for many years.
He talks about taking over the job from former Executive Supervisor Svante Stockselius, and how he was assisted in that task by Event Supervisor, Sietse Bakker. Jon Ola also talks about the challenges that face him, and the rewarding aspects of being in charge of the Eurovision Song Contest.
More excitement than ever?
Jon Ola reveals how the voting sequence has changed for the 2011 edition of Europe's Favourite Tv Show.
"This year we are doing the voting sequence a little differently. For the viewers at home it will look the same, but we are actually calculating, how, based on ther juries votes given the day before the Final. We are calculating the order of the spokespersons and this is done to create more suspense."
He continues "it's very easy to understand that if you take control of the voting window, and the presenting of the votes, and arrange that in an order that will create more suspense, you will have a better show. This is calculated by a quite complicated algorithm that was developed by NRK last year, and was commissioned by them. We couldn't implement it last year, but this year we will implement it and I hope it will create more suspense."
Preparations for 2012
All this week journalists and fans have been asking contestants how they feel before going onstage, and we put the same question to Jon Ola as he will be appearing in front of an audience of over 100 million people when he reveals that he has the results of the 43 countries votes. Find out his answer to that question and what his first task is on Sunday 15th May when we will have our new winner, and he prepares for the 57th edition of the contest.
Watch the full interview with Jon Ola Sand
Who is Jon Ola Sand?
Jon Ola Sand has more than 15 years' experience in major productions and coproductions at Norwegian public broadcaster NRK and TV2 Norway as well as independent production companies. He is also a member of the International Academy of Television Arts & Sciences, which hands out the EMMY Awards every year.
He has produced or directed a variety of programmes, such as the Nobel Peace Prize Concert, the Norwegian Film Awards and the Norwegian national selection for the Eurovision Song Contest, Melodi Grand Prix.
Jon Ola Sand has been Head of Delegation at the contest for Norway from 1998 to 2005. Since then, he has been commissioning editor at NRK.
