Pre-Launch BBC News: Studio B Refit

[DTV]

Interestingly, yesterday was the 10th anniversary of the commencement of the Building Control Order for the installation of sets in Studio A, B and C.

https://idoxpa.westminster.gov.uk/online...SUMRP0EU00

[deejay]

I don’t think it’s a fixed lighting rig, they’ll leave the rig, hoists, battens etc in place, they’ll just use a fixed plot. With newsnight, world VD and marr sharing the studio in its previous life the lights were all repositioned between programmes, which took time and people.

[DTV]

I don’t think it’s a fixed lighting rig, they’ll leave the rig, hoists, battens etc in place, they’ll just use a fixed plot. With newsnight, world VD and marr sharing the studio in its previous life the lights were all repositioned between programmes, which took time and people.

That makes more sense, I did think it was a bit odd and shortsighted to install a fixed rig in their 'flexible' studio. Especially as we all know that, in 5-10 years time, they'll probably decide they want to use it for different programmes again.

[Newsroom]

I'm sorry, but I just can't agree that N9 was the best news studio at TVC. I know that there were a sizeable portion of TVFers who hold a certain level of affection for it as a hangover from the cream and red days, but I have never seen the appeal. Always felt it was a cramped, dark studio with a succession of second-rate sets that were usually a poor imitation of whatever N8 was doing.

I've always thought that N9 had the best background of any of the TVC studios, but the set itself was consistently a bit of a disappointment. Like you say, it was always quite cramped and the desks were generally a bit rogue - the weird split set-up where the guest had to sit in-between the two presenters was a strange look!

I too was a big fan of N9 and the varying change of sets. Yes it was cramped and at times did look silly with guests appearing in between presenters for example. N9 was the first to champion the 'hoop' albeit integrated into the ceiling and it looked great when it first launched.

I'm wondering if they'll install full robotic tracks on both sets in B or utilise one half for the 1, 6 and 10 and the other side for ad-hoc programming.

[DTV]

N9 was the first to champion the 'hoop' albeit integrated into the ceiling and it looked great when it first launched.

I'm intrigued as to what you're referring to by a 'hoop', like the newsroom hoop at NBH? I don't recall N9 having ceiling pieces.

[Stuart]

I think [mention]Newsroom[/mention] may in fact be referring to the circular lights in the offices behind the studio in N8, not N9

[Ittr]

N9 was the first to champion the 'hoop' albeit integrated into the ceiling and it looked great when it first launched.

I'm intrigued as to what you're referring to by a 'hoop', like the newsroom hoop at NBH? I don't recall N9 having ceiling pieces.

My only guess would be either he means the circular ceiling hoops of N8, in which case he might have mixed up the two studios (understandable considering N9 was only regularly used for local/EU elections after 2008), or he's referring to the weirdly shaped curved ceiling of N9 (only usually seen in wider shots).

[Newsroom]

N9 was the first to champion the 'hoop' albeit integrated into the ceiling and it looked great when it first launched.

I'm intrigued as to what you're referring to by a 'hoop', like the newsroom hoop at NBH? I don't recall N9 having ceiling pieces.

My only guess would be either he means the circular ceiling hoops of N8, in which case he might have mixed up the two studios (understandable considering N9 was only regularly used for local/EU elections after 2008), or he's referring to the weirdly shaped curved ceiling of N9 (only usually seen in wider shots).

It was definitely N9, it was an odd shaped ceiling that had a curved like shape in the middle. Fair enough, not quite a 'hoop'.

[Keith]

Breaking news today - Studio B is going to refitted with camera tracks and fully robotic cameras, and a fixed lighting grid, and put into use for the 1, 6 and 10 bulletins from spring next year.

I don't suppose you know if they'll opt for floor camera tracks as per their other studios, or ceiling mounted as per Sky News? I'd have thought using ceiling mounted tracks might offer more flexibility in B. The use of tracks and robotic cameras is welcome as a solution for getting the studio back into use. I imagine technology has advanced in the past year, with more TV programmes utilising them due to social distancing (Save our summer and Strictly spring to mind).

[Brekkie]

I'm quite surprised they still need physical camera tracks - I'd have thought nowadays cameras could just track from either marks on the floor or some kind of GPS system, or is it just a case that a track system is cheaper and perhaps more reliable?

[AaronLancs]

I'm quite surprised they still need physical camera tracks - I'd have thought nowadays cameras could just track from either marks on the floor or some kind of GPS system, or is it just a case that a track system is cheaper and perhaps more reliable?

First, your comment. I'd say that tracks are not "cheaper" per se but with the dreaded health and safety in mind one wrong move from a untracked camera - lead by GPS / track marks - and can you imagine the roasting the BBC would get in the press for whatever in along the lines of being malcontent or something like that anyway. At least with the cameras being tracked everyone knows where they are and what areas to walk in. Especially when a camera sequence gets triggered by the gallery.

Second, thinking on about this. I can't remember who did the original image but over in the Blue Place I saved someone's layout of Studio B - when we were all trying to figure out what went where - and wonder if the tracks would be in the marks in red give or take certain set obstacles on this quick mockup of an image.

Also if someone recognises the original image creator, please let me know then I can credit you. As your name is lost in the fog of time to me. Thanks.

I think [mention]Newsroom[/mention] may in fact be referring to the circular lights in the offices behind the studio in N8, not N9

Stuart I'm wondering if the "hoop" in N9 could be the weird ceiling protusion that is shown behind and above Mike Embley in this image from the TV live website:


Source: TV Live: BBC World Presentation 2000-2003

[chaose]

and wonder if the tracks would be in the marks in red give or take certain set obstacles on this quick mockup of an image

Are we sure the set will actually stay in place? With the rebrand coming up, maybe moving the 1, 6 and 9 to Studio B could be part of a visual refresh? After all the new visual language seems to rely heavily on boxes from what we've seen. So maybe the curved sets could be on their way out. Just wondering...

[harshy]

I'm quite surprised they still need physical camera tracks - I'd have thought nowadays cameras could just track from either marks on the floor or some kind of GPS system, or is it just a case that a track system is cheaper and perhaps more reliable?

First, your comment. I'd say that tracks are not "cheaper" per se but with the dreaded health and safety in mind one wrong move from a untracked camera - lead by GPS / track marks - and can you imagine the roasting the BBC would get in the press for whatever in along the lines of being malcontent or something like that anyway. At least with the cameras being tracked everyone knows where they are and what areas to walk in. Especially when a camera sequence gets triggered by the gallery.

Second, thinking on about this. I can't remember who did the original image but over in the Blue Place I saved someone's layout of Studio B - when we were all trying to figure out what went where - and wonder if the tracks would be in the marks in red give or take certain set obstacles on this quick mockup of an image.

Also if someone recognises the original image creator, please let me know then I can credit you. As your name is lost in the fog of time to me. Thanks.

I think [mention]Newsroom[/mention] may in fact be referring to the circular lights in the offices behind the studio in N8, not N9

Stuart I'm wondering if the "hoop" in N9 could be the weird ceiling protusion that is shown behind and above Mike Embley in this image from the TV live website:


Source: TV Live: BBC World Presentation 2000-2003

I wonder why bbc world switched off the lights it was fully lit when bbc news 24 were there with their flags.

[Newsroom]

I'm quite surprised they still need physical camera tracks - I'd have thought nowadays cameras could just track from either marks on the floor or some kind of GPS system, or is it just a case that a track system is cheaper and perhaps more reliable?

First, your comment. I'd say that tracks are not "cheaper" per se but with the dreaded health and safety in mind one wrong move from a untracked camera - lead by GPS / track marks - and can you imagine the roasting the BBC would get in the press for whatever in along the lines of being malcontent or something like that anyway. At least with the cameras being tracked everyone knows where they are and what areas to walk in. Especially when a camera sequence gets triggered by the gallery.

Second, thinking on about this. I can't remember who did the original image but over in the Blue Place I saved someone's layout of Studio B - when we were all trying to figure out what went where - and wonder if the tracks would be in the marks in red give or take certain set obstacles on this quick mockup of an image.

Also if someone recognises the original image creator, please let me know then I can credit you. As your name is lost in the fog of time to me. Thanks.

I think [mention]Newsroom[/mention] may in fact be referring to the circular lights in the offices behind the studio in N8, not N9

Stuart I'm wondering if the "hoop" in N9 could be the weird ceiling protusion that is shown behind and above Mike Embley in this image from the TV live website:


Source: TV Live: BBC World Presentation 2000-2003

I wonder why bbc world switched off the lights it was fully lit when bbc news 24 were there with their flags.

It's bugging me I can't find the an image. Does anyone have the infamous Google Maps walk though available anymore? It was either part of the set or some kind of air con unit. Round in shape, with round sides that formed a smaller circle (not much). I'm absolutely not imagining it and it was definitely in N9, NOT N8. And yes it was circular.

[Ittr]

First, your comment. I'd say that tracks are not "cheaper" per se but with the dreaded health and safety in mind one wrong move from a untracked camera - lead by GPS / track marks - and can you imagine the roasting the BBC would get in the press for whatever in along the lines of being malcontent or something like that anyway. At least with the cameras being tracked everyone knows where they are and what areas to walk in. Especially when a camera sequence gets triggered by the gallery.

Second, thinking on about this. I can't remember who did the original image but over in the Blue Place I saved someone's layout of Studio B - when we were all trying to figure out what went where - and wonder if the tracks would be in the marks in red give or take certain set obstacles on this quick mockup of an image.

Also if someone recognises the original image creator, please let me know then I can credit you. As your name is lost in the fog of time to me. Thanks.





Stuart I'm wondering if the "hoop" in N9 could be the weird ceiling protusion that is shown behind and above Mike Embley in this image from the TV live website:


Source: TV Live: BBC World Presentation 2000-2003

I wonder why bbc world switched off the lights it was fully lit when bbc news 24 were there with their flags.

It's bugging me I can't find the an image. Does anyone have the infamous Google Maps walk though available anymore? It was either part of the set or some kind of air con unit. Round in shape, with round sides that formed a smaller circle (not much). I'm absolutely not imagining it and it was definitely in N9, NOT N8. And yes it was circular.

The only news studios that still seem to exist on the Google Maps TVC Streetview are N8 and TC7. N6 was inaccessible from the start, I think, and I do recall people on TVF stating it used to be on there, although I can't seem to force myself through the doorway anymore.

Speaking of the streetview, it has exhibited some weird behaviour in recent days - one day I could access the former front gates and entrance, but the next it forced me onto the newer Wood Crescent which replaced it. Odd.

EDIT: Something else I just remembered, parts of the map inside the main studios appear to have been re-taken in May 2013. Even stranger...