Darts fans given a makeover for HD TV
YOUR average darts fans don’t exactly have a reputation for being the best-groomed or most glamorous audiences on television.
But faced with the prospect of being captured in high-quality images, they sped like the proverbial arrows for free makeovers to make sure they would be looking their very best on camera.
The fans were airbrushed to perfection ready for the start of the Whyte and Mackay Premier League which started in Liverpool on Thursday.
This year, for the first time, the league is being broadcast in High Definition on the Sky Sports channel.
High Definition television gives up to four times the picture quality of its standard counterpart – but it also highlights every flaw in close-up shots.
So to mark the occasion fans attending the match were offered the free HD makeovers.
Make-up experts offered them the chance to experience airbrushing, the technique used specially to apply make-up for HD television, giving skin a flawless and natural-looking finish.
A Sky spokeswoman said: “We had big burly guys queueing up to get their airbrushing done. Darts is getting such high profile and hard-core fans want to look their best.
“As an audience they are far closer to the screen than, say, football or tennis crowds, so we thought we’d try it. We were inundated with requests.”
Louise Connor, manager of Sky’s make-up department said: “We use a whole host of special techniques when preparing people for High Definition cameras.
“With airbrushing we spray a fine mist of foundation on the skin to create a natural finish, and we have been using this on the fans at the arena.
“We have to be extra careful to blend make-up well to prevent any hard edges and avoid using any glittery or shimmery products – they may look pretty off-camera but show up as shine when picked up by our HD cameras.
“We hope the darts fans at the Liverpool Echo Arena looked great.”
Darts player Phil “The Power” Taylor said: “You can see everything in HD. Even I’ve had to start thinking more about my appearance.
“After all, everyone wants to look good when they’re on TV.”