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In the world of TV production, On-Camera Audiences, (OCA) stands out. Started in the mid-90s by an ambitious pair, OCA grew from a small side gig to a top-notch audience coordination firm. We chat with co-founder, KC Cavarozzi, to dive into OCA’s history, success secrets and their unique approach to on-set vibes.
From booking audiences for “MADtv” and “American Idol” to managing big events and fostering a great company culture, OCA has made a name for itself. Join us as we explore their journey, memorable moments and future plans.
Can you walk us through the history of On-Camera Audiences, Inc. and how it became a premier television audience company?
On-Camera Audiences was a leap of faith, and I’m known to be impulsive. So, I left my established career path at Paramount Pictures and opened OCA’s first office. With my partner’s connections and experience in the television industry and my fearlessness…On Camera Audiences was born!
OCA started out as a side hustle that my then-husband, now business partner, Chris Cavarozzi, took on in the mid-90s. I vividly remember the day I overheard him declining a job to book an audience. As someone driven by ambition, I was surprised by his decision and asked why he turned it down. Chris’ response was simple: he didn’t have the time. Without hesitation, I offered to do it, and that’s how my journey in the television industry began.
From the word “go,” our commitment to excellence was unwavering. We consistently delivered on our promises and made ourselves available 24/7, quickly earning a solid reputation. Chris and I have a perfect blend of complementary skills, a true ‘yin and yang’, essential for running a successful business.
Some of our first shows were MADtv, MTV’s “Loveline,” and the VMAs. However, a breakthrough came with The Keenan Ivory Wayans Show and The Howie Mandel Show. Both were daily programs that provided a stable income to sustain and expand our business.
Success always involves a little luck and being at the right place at the right time. We were positioned perfectly to scale and capitalize on the television industry’s explosive growth in the late ‘90s. Since then, we have kept plugging away by adapting to industry changes, taking advantage of technology, and staying focused on the customer experience.
What sets On-Camera Audiences, Inc. apart from other audience coordination firms in the industry?
First and foremost, we have an extensive fan community due to the immense popularity of reality competition shows like American Idol, America’s Got Talent, Dancing with the Stars, and Masked Singer. We were also involved with American Ninja Warrior and The X Factor which were huge events that taped in multiple cities across the country – extending our reach even further.
We also work on a multitude of different genres and event types: the iconic, long-running Price is Right and Jeopardy to modernized game shows like Press Your Luck with Elizabeth Banks, To Tell The Truth, That’s My Jam and Password, both hosted by Jimmy Fallon, as well as Who Wants To Be A Millionaire hosted by Jimmy Kimmel. We also work on long-time favorites, such as Big Brother and America’s Funniest Home Videos.
What truly sets us apart is our company culture. OCA values trust, honesty, integrity, accountability, innovation, and, most importantly, humor. We try to laugh at work as much as we can. We also genuinely care about our team and work hard to support their growth and development.
So, OCA is like a family—a big, boisterous family-but a family nonetheless. Our company culture strengthens our team and extends to our audiences and industry relationships.
Could you highlight some of the most memorable shows On-Camera Audiences has worked with over 25 years in the industry?
Choosing just a few is challenging since we have worked on over 1200 shows! I just recently looked up that number and couldn’t believe it.
One of the first shows to come to mind is American Idol, which significantly impacted OCA and the industry in general. We feel so fortunate to have been part of it from the beginning.
Idol has given me countless memories, from the wildly passionate fans – the contestants’ breakout moments on stage like Adam Lambert’s “Mad World” performance – to some of the unbelievable guest performances over the years from Rihanna, Lady Gaga, Beyonce, Prince, Queen, and George Michael. There were all the famous judges I loved working alongside, like Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul, Keith Urban, Steven Tyler, Katy Perry, and now Luke Bryant and Lionel Ritchie, who are so down-to-earth and fun.
One specific memory I cherish is bumping into Kelly Clarkson backstage at American Idol as she was about to perform her song for “Big Band Week” on Season 1. She was wearing the iconic polka-dot dress and looked absolutely stunning. More than that, she was alone backstage and had – what I can only describe as – a look of determination that stopped me in my tracks. It was almost as if she knew it was her time to shine. All I can say is that I wasn’t surprised when she went on stage and put on a jaw-dropping performance that made her the front-runner in the competition, and the rest is history.
Another personal favorite show of mine is America’s Got Talent. It’s just a fantastic show to work on for so many reasons. The judges, the talent, the fans, and the production team are top-notch. We’ve worked on that show for over 18 years, and a strong bond has been formed.
AGT draws thousands of fans to be part of the studio audience, and it’s the only television show in the U.S. that fills an auditorium. People come from all over the world to attend, including Germany, Australia, Mexico, and India, to name just a few!
The excited fans make the atmosphere at AGT electric, and there’s no better feeling than hearing over a thousand fans applaud and cheer for a performance they love.
Dancing with the Stars has also given me countless memories that I cherish. Seeing the dance performances live is such a beautiful experience. Plus, it’s so fun to get dressed up for a show. We get to put on our best outfits and watch people dance! Who wouldn’t want to do that? DWTS is also great for celebrity sightings.
Last but not least, The Price is Right gave me chills the first time I walked on set, and Jeopardy and Family Feud were similar experiences. These shows have been part of our lives since childhood, so being on the set has a somewhat emotional response. The audience reacts similarly, so being there and sharing the moment with them is incredible.
Reflecting on these memories, I realize they all have something in common: I was there, in person, and it was happening right before me. Our society has become so focused on digital and virtual interactions that we often forget how impactful real-world experiences are. Watching a show on TV is great because you can see the entire production, but watching it live is truly special.
I encourage people to get out there and participate in the studio audiences because these connections are profoundly impactful. They build a community around the shows and events and deepen the bond with the brand.
In what ways does On-Camera Audiences contribute to enhancing the on-set atmosphere and energy for television productions?
Our company slogan is “’We bring the fun,” and that’s precisely what we do. When our team walks on set with hundreds of fans along with them, we are literally bringing the fun! We work hard to create an energetic and vibrant atmosphere.
The studio audience sets the vibe, and our job is ensure everyone leaves smiling!
How does the company maintain relationships with leading television production firms and continue to secure partnerships for audience coordination?
OCA prides itself in maintaining a consistent and reliable standard of excellence. I believe we achieve this because we genuinely care about the product we put out there. My business partner and I have high standards and a strong work ethic, which is the backbone of OCA. We follow the philosophy, “You’re only as good as your last audience.” That keeps us humble.
Flexibility is also crucial, as the entertainment industry can be unpredictable. I want to think we are experts in “rolling with the punches.”
We are also an invaluable service as production expands outside of Los Angeles. Many shows are taped outside CA, and we are set up to do business in multiple states.
We have also booked audiences and managed events in many major U.S. cities, including Atlanta, Las Vegas, Chicago, Seattle, Oakland, Miami, Orlando, Tampa, Kansas City, Nashville, Austin, Jersey City, Baltimore, Dallas, Denver, Houston, Indianapolis, Oklahoma City, Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, Minneapolis, Tacoma, and Charleston! I may have forgotten a couple!
What role does audience feedback play in the continuous improvement and refinement OCA’s services?
The audience feedback is everything. They are the “customers,” and we prioritize the customer experience, like all companies should. The feedback we get from the audience helps us improve every other aspect of OCA, including ticketing, check-in process, website design, marketing, staff training, and safety protocol.
Social media plays a vital role in audience feedback, and we actively engage with our followers on our platforms. Social listening gives us the first indication of whether something is working or not. We have conversations with people daily to learn about their experiences to ensure they align with our goals.
OCA is the most active on Instagram (@OnCameraAudiences) only because our industry is so visual. I also manage my account, @KCfromOCA, where I share my daily life as the
“President of On-Camera Audiences.” I interact with the audience more personally, which gives our brand more credibility and a human touch.
For OCA, it’s not just about feedback; it’s about building a community. I consider our IG followers to be our most authentic brand ambassadors.
Lastly, what do you envision for the future of On-Camera Audiences, Inc. as it continues to leave its mark on the television industry?
There are some exciting developments underway! OCA is building a new website with innovative features to enhance the user experience and showcase our projects more effectively. I am 100% certain that our clients and customers will love the new website.
The new website will also expand our business and create opportunities for more TV shows and events to leverage our highly popular website and top-tier ticketing system, even without our audience provision. This means that any event—even those outside the television industry—can utilize our robust ticketing and content management support. We are excited to provide this invaluable service for the first time and look forward to helping more events succeed.
Another new project I’m very excited about that is very personal to me is launching a new event production company. Recently, I recognized a strong interest in events and community-building outside the realm of television. Why should all the fun stop at TV shows? While this will be a separate company from OCA, it will still embody the same spirit of fun that OCA specializes in.
I will focus first on creating events for the community I’m assembling on Instagram, @KCfromOCA, which is full of creative-minded and ambitious people. I love my followers and feel we have so much in common despite all doing different things. Our energy is aligned, and they inspired my first event! I envision modernizing networking by creating exhilarating, transformative, and interactive experiences. That’s all I can say for now! Stay tuned for more. So, to answer your question, I envision a future in which OCA continues to “bring the fun” in as many ways, to as many people, and for as long as possible! I’m excited for this next chapter.
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Thank you for reading! You can learn more about On Camera Audiences and KC Cavarozzi here.
