EO
NOS News•today, 08:40•Changed today, 10:23
Viewers who tuned in to NPO 1 just after 9:30 PM yesterday may have been a bit surprised. They covered a live news broadcast with Tijs van den Brink about a major power outage in the provinces of Utrecht, South Holland and Zeeland, complete with reporters, a table of experts, Prime Minister Schoof and the National Coordinator for Counterterrorism and Security (NCTV).
But it was all fake. That was for the viewers of Black-out who fell for it only became clear when the text appeared at the bottom of the screen: “Attention! These events are not real, but provide a realistic picture of the consequences of major power outages.”
The intention
“Everything was as realistic as possible,” said director Hans de Kleine NOS With an Eye on Tomorrow. “I wanted that broadcast to be live to convey to the people who would sit at the table the urgency that this is really happening. So everyone had to participate in that role.” This was to create awareness in the viewer that this could actually become a reality.
In the research, the makers discovered that the question is not whether a large-scale power outage will occur, but when. “In theory it could happen tomorrow,” De Kleine said. “How prepared are you? We wanted to communicate that in a certain way. That’s why we chose that form.”
Free hand
De Kleine said that despite the cooperation of the cabinet, he and his colleagues have had complete free rein. “But we did want the story to follow the scenarios used by, for example, the NCTV.” The scenarios used by the government include that people start looting, that telephone masts fail and that the consequences become tangible in hospitals.
The makers had to determine that the government itself also had areas for improvement. The municipality of Utrecht, for example, contributed to the broadcast. The crisis management department turned out to be on the 21st floor of the city office. That is a problem if the elevator also stops working. “That was a nice insight for the crisis managers there.”
Spoiled
During the preparation, De Kleine noted that the residents of the Netherlands are less prepared for crisis situations than people abroad. “We Dutch are very spoiled that everything always works. And if that is not the case, we assume that it will be solved within two hours. The world is now changing.”
The most important lesson for De Kleine was that he himself is not well prepared for a prolonged power outage or another crisis situation. You have to prepare for the first 72 hours, he agreed. “Food, drinks, candles, cash and so on. And make sure you have a plan that you have also discussed with your family.”
Power Outage Spoof: What Were They Thinking?
Well, well, well! If you happened to tune into NPO 1 just after 9:30 PM last night, you might have had a mini heart attack, a quick existential crisis, or perhaps just a heck of a laugh! A live broadcast featuring a major power outage covering the provinces of Utrecht, South Holland, and Zeeland was aired. There were reporters scurrying about like bees at a honey convention, a table of experts looking dead serious, and even Prime Minister Schoof and the National Coordinator for Counterterrorism and Security popping up like they were in some bizarre news version of a reality show. Spoiler alert: it was all staged. That’s right, folks—if you felt panic setting in, don’t worry; you weren’t alone!
Reality Check or Fool’s Play?
Yes, this was all part of the show Black-out, which aimed to give viewers a hearty dose of what it might be like during an actual power crisis. The only hint that this was all a ruse came at the last minute with a little note flashing at the bottom of the screen, saying, “Attention! These events are not real, but provide a realistic picture of the consequences of major power outages.” Talk about pulling the carpet from under your feet! If you were in the middle of a snack, you probably choked on the popcorn.
The Director’s Master Plan
Director Hans de Kleine took it upon himself to create an experience that was as intense as a Netflix thriller—which, let’s be honest, is pretty effective if you’re trying to make people take crisis preparedness seriously. He insisted, “Everything was as realistic as possible.” My goodness! If realism were a sport, they’d be Olympic gold medalists here. De Kleine’s goal? To instill a sense of urgency in the viewers because let’s face it—how often do we stop scrolling through our social media feeds long enough to think, “Hey, what if the lights go out forever?”
When Power Outages Become a Reality
In an epiphany that would make any disaster filmmaker proud, De Kleine and his team discovered that the real question is not if a large-scale power outage will happen, but rather when. “In theory it could happen tomorrow,” he ominously remarked. So, how prepared are we? Or, as he put it, will our first instinct be scurrying to the fridge like it’s a gourmet buffet when the lights go out? Spoiler: it should be the latter, but make it a plan!
Government Insights: Lessons Learned
Despite collaborating with the government experts, which sounds like the weirdest potluck ever, De Kleine’s team had the freedom to explore some rather startling scenarios. We’ve got looting, phone towers failing, and hospitals gasping for air—sorry, I mean power. Did you just picture chaos? You should have! Perhaps what takes the cake here is the municipal crisis management department working from the 21st floor of the city office. If the elevator decides to take an unexpected vacation during an actual power failure, well, buckle up, folks! Stair-climbing is about to become an extreme sport.
Feeding the Spoiled Beast
De Kleine made an interesting observation about the residents of the Netherlands. Apparently, we are a tad spoiled, believing that everything, including crisis management, works like clockwork. If something goes wrong, we expect a resolution promptly, like a magic show. “We Dutch are very spoiled that everything always works,” he quipped. Isn’t it comforting and mildly alarming that one of our biggest fears is that the power might outlast our patience?
The Ominous Takeaway
So here’s the kicker: even De Kleine himself admitted he’s not prepared for an extended power outage. Shocking! I know, right? “You have to prepare for the first 72 hours,” he declared, sounding more like a savvy doomsday prepper than a director. His survival essentials? Food, drinks, candles, cash. Let’s not forget a solid plan—the “I hope you’re not planning to wing it” type. And do take a moment to discuss it with family because nothing says “crisis” like realizing your partner thinks the go-to snack during a blackout is ice cream!
Final Thoughts
As we navigate through the lands of chaotic broadcasts and staged crises, let’s not forget: preparation isn’t just for survivalists and doomsday preppers! It’s for everyone. So, maybe it’s time to update that emergency kit and gather the troops—with snacks, obviously. Just in case the lights go out and we’re left trying to find the candles. Seriously though, whether it’s for a scripted skit or a real-life scenario, being ready is always in vogue.
And who knows? You might just end up being the hero when the world turns off the lights. Now isn’t that a plot twist?
NOS News•today, 08:40•Changed today, 10:23
Viewers tuning in to NPO 1 shortly after 9:30 PM last night were met with an unexpected spectacle. A live news broadcast hosted by Tijs van den Brink delved into a significant power outage impacting the provinces of Utrecht, South Holland, and Zeeland. The broadcast was replete with a panel of expert reporters, an imposing array of analysis from a table of specialists, and appearances by notable figures including Prime Minister Schoof and the National Coordinator for Counterterrorism and Security (NCTV).
However, the entirety of the broadcast was a staged simulation. Viewers later learned of the ruse when a blinking message at the bottom of their screens revealed: “Attention! These events are not real, but provide a realistic picture of the consequences of major power outages.”
The intention
“Everything was crafted to be as realistic as possible,” remarked director Hans de Kleine in an interview with NOS With an Eye on Tomorrow. “Hosting a live broadcast was crucial to convey the urgency of such a scenario to the participants involved, ensuring that everyone truly embraced their roles.” This approach was meticulously designed to raise awareness among viewers that such a terrifying situation could, in fact, become their reality.
In their research, the creators found a disconcerting consensus: it’s not a question of if a significant power outage will occur, but when it will take place. “In theory, it could happen tomorrow,” De Kleine cautioned. “How prepared are you? We aimed to communicate that pressing question, prompting us to select this particular format.”
Free hand
De Kleine emphasized that although the cabinet lent its support, he and his team enjoyed complete creative freedom. “Nonetheless, we aimed for our narrative to align with scenarios developed by entities such as the NCTV,” he elaborated. These government scenarios included grim situations where citizens resort to looting, telecommunication networks collapse, and the fallout creates chaos in healthcare facilities.
They uncovered that the government itself had areas necessitating improvement. A noteworthy example was the municipality of Utrecht, which played a part in the production. The crisis management department’s location on the 21st floor of the city office posed significant challenges in the event of a power cut, particularly if the elevators were inoperative. “That was an insightful revelation for the crisis management team there,” he remarked.
Spoiled
In reflective moments during the production preparation, De Kleine observed a concerning trend: the citizens of the Netherlands are less equipped for crisis situations compared to people in other countries. “We Dutch have grown accustomed to an expectation of seamless functionality in our services. When disruptions occur, we tend to believe they will be rectified remarkably quickly, often within two hours. However, the world as we know it is evolving rapidly,” he expressed.
De Kleine admitted that he himself was not adequately prepared for the possibility of a prolonged power outage or similar crises. “You must prepare for the crucial initial 72 hours,” he advised. Essentials such as food, clean water, candles, cash, and importantly, a well-disussed family action plan are vital.”
T its support, they were given the freedom to explore various potential crises and their repercussions during the broadcast. This included scenarios depicting massive looting, failure of communication networks due to downed telephone masts, and hospitals struggling to function without power. Each of these elements aimed to starkly illustrate the harsh realities that could ensue during a real power outage, evoking a sense of urgency and maybe a little panic among viewers.
During a moment of reflection, De Kleine noted that this didn’t just serve as a cautionary tale for the viewers; it also held a mirror up to government agencies. One startling realization was that the crisis management department of the municipality was located on the 21st floor of a building. If an actual power outage disabled the elevators and left them scrambling down the stairs, well, let’s just say that would be quite the workout for the city officials.
A Wake-Up Call
The overarching theme of the broadcast was not just shock value; it was about instilling a sense of preparedness in the general populace. De Kleine remarked, “We Dutch are very spoiled that everything always works.” And perhaps it’s time to face the music—this dependency on a smoothly running system can leave us vulnerable when the unexpected happens.
So, let’s get down to brass tacks: real life doesn’t come with a script, and crises rarely give us a heads-up. This was the crux of the experiment; to emphasize that with a little foresight and planning, we can weather the storm—or blackout—together. De Kleine himself admitted he hadn’t made any preparations for a prolonged power outage until now, which should rattle a few cages. “Prepare for the first 72 hours,” he advised, echoing what survival experts might shout from the rooftops.
Are You Prepared?
In this respect, the simulated chaos serves as a wake-up call to all of us. Whether we’re stockpiling food, candles, and cash, or simply sitting down with family members to formulate a manageable plan, the time for action is now—not when the lights flicker and die.
It’s easy to dismiss these discussions as doomsday musings, but if the last few years have taught us anything, it’s that the unexpected is often lurking just around the corner. So, dust off those emergency kits and start that family discussion about what to do when the lights go out and S.O.S. becomes a signal you need to send—otherwise, you might find yourself elbow-deep in a freezer, flicking off the light switch with one hand and grabbing for ice cream with the other!
In Conclusion
whether you found yourself laughing, gasping, or plotting your escape during the televised crisis, the important takeaway remains: being prepared isn’t just smart; it’s essential. As we continue navigating through a world of unexpected challenges, you want to be the one who’s ready, equipped with both snacks and plans.
Remember, the lights might go out, but your preparedness should keep shining brightly!
