A key to the success of X Factor in relation to the show’s ability to reach many different viewers lies not in the erasing of differences but rather in the in the understanding of them, at least in production terms. Caroline’s understanding and ease with the differences between US and UK production needs of the X Factor are key to the success of each. The obvious difference is the ease (or lack of) with transportation for the crew when shooting the auditions for the contestants. More than this, the shooting and interview style, the job separation of producers, pop culture references, even the regional accents are vastly different. The most prominent of all differences relates to tone. Abaecheta reveals, “The UK version of X Factor is lighter than the US version. The sense of humor is more at the forefront of the UK show. This doesn’t mean anyone takes it less seriously, quite the opposite. In fact, there is a bigger giggle factor in the UK version. For example, I created a montage for the UK version were we pointed out the fact the Geri Halliwell (ex Spice Girl) never stopped talking. It was just something we noticed in the field so we created a montage of Geri talking and talking and cut it to a comedy song by Chaz and Dave called “Rabbit.” I don’t think we’d have made that in the US. I don’t think it would’ve worked. There are certain social differences even with something like comedy and poking fun that require one to understand what people will accept.”
The goal of every producer is to create an entertainment experience that immerses the audience so deeply into the story that they lose all personal worries and cares, if for only a short time. While X Factor might appear to be a light and unencumbered program, creating this is quite the opposite. Caroline’s role required her to essentially oversee four separate programs which were rolled into one. Stage one was travelling around the country for open auditions. The excitement of the crowd is palpable as long lines with cheering hopefuls are seen. Contributors go through multiple stages of audition: first in front of a producer, then in front of a TV producer/music industry rep, and finally they are filmed in front of the celebrity judges. The next stage is “Boot Camp” which documents the numbers of contestants going from around 100 to about 25 who will make it to the next stage. Following this, a shoot happens with the judges of the show shown in their homes or at exotic locations. With all of this work completed, X Factor finally arrives at the live shows that the public votes on. Caroline’s work as a producer in all of these stages is the complete opposite of showing up in a soundstage every day to tape a live TV program. Her respect in the industry is well earned as a result.
One of the most exciting parts of Abaecheta’s involvement as a producer in X Factor is having a front seat to the beginning of major careers in entertainment. While she has worked with many entertainers who were first introduced by the show, the international juggernaut that is the band One Direction is perhaps the most notable. There is a very short list of those who can say that they saw the band from inception to global fame but Caroline is at the front of the line. She recalls, “Initially we didn’t know they’d be a band but we knew we had some outstanding male performers that year. I think Simon put the group together at Bootcamp. I filmed with One Direction every day during the live shows. So I was there witnessing the phenomenon first hand. It started with an initial few girls but by the fourth week of live shows we often couldn’t go out and grab lunch together as we were used to. The choreography venue where rehearsals were done was in the middle of Covent Garden and soon became inundated with fans. I remember having to hide One Direction members under my coat to get into the building. The moment I realized we were experiencing something huge was we went to a shoot at TopShop on Oxford circus. I’d stayed behind with all the contestants and was helping people get into cabs from choreography. I travelled over to Oxford Circus with some members of 1 D (Harry, Niall, Zane, plus a couple of other contestants); when we arrived at Oxford Circus, probably already one of the busiest areas of central London, the crowds had brought the whole of the area to a complete standstill. Police where everywhere. There were thousands of fans filling every possible bit of space outside the store. We had security but it was scary trying to get past all these youngsters. I made the contestants hold hands and told them not to let go until we were inside the front door but this was like a mob. After that we were followed everywhere by paparazzi on motor bikes trying to grab photos of the band. We couldn’t go outside. I used to take the boys shopping at lunchtime but we couldn’t do that anymore. They loved it, of course! It was stardom, what they’d hoped for. It was also overwhelming and often scary.” Very few professionals have been so close to this type of scenario and the experience deepened Abaecheta’s already impressive skill set. Of course, working with Cowell during this time served to inform Caroline about how both the business and artist perspective of such a phenomenon feel like to each side. A great producer understands the business needs as well as empathize with them.
Not all of Abaecheta’s experiences involve hordes of screaming fans and paparazzi. The vast majority of the producer’s role on X Factor is meeting the contributors day after day and place after place. Because travel is an essential part of the program discovering new talent, Caroline often finds herself on the road. It can be close to home or flying for forty-eight hours to get to Australia to oversee auditions for essentially another forty-eight hours and then flying right back. For a TV show like X Factor you must go where the people are that you seek. Rather than avoiding these obstacles, Abaecheta is drawn to them. She communicates, “There are no shortcuts to being great. X Factor is the biggest learning curve for any producer. I wouldn’t be capable of doing most of my other jobs without this experience. I’ve seen many people become famous and achieved their dream. I’ve also seen people who attempted this and for different reasons it didn’t work out. What I recognize in all of them is the desire to do what they love and make a career out of it. That’s exactly what I want and the challenges of being a producer on X Factor have forced me to work hard, to be inventive, and to think outside the box. I think the obstacles in our lives can make us better and that’s why I look forward to them.”