BBC London TV News

I suspect it was more cock-up than design. The wrong aston template would've been used.

I thought it was cockup, but the gent interviewed looks VERY close to the camera... Who knows!

There's been a couple of very close shots in VTs in tonight's programme - it seems that they occasionally forget how to frame shots for lower thirds.

I would hope people don't ever frame shots just for graphics. I like the MCU/BCU look myself.

I've never understood the obsession with name supers on every contributor - particularly when they are name-checked properly in voice over. (No issue with the hard of hearing as the intro will appear on the subtitles)

Well, ultimately I don't know for certain, since I wasn't there when the aston was created, but I'd be astonished if that was a deliberate editorial choice (unless some producer has gone rogue). The BBC is trying to enforce identical astons across all its news output. They won't want some local output improvising and doing it's own thing.

Well that does presume the live subtitling will produce the correct result. I presume it also allows for an audible name check to be removed if necessary later on.

Yes - but I guess that's the case for pretty much everything that is subtitled?

Yes - and then you'd use a caption. In most news operations those graphics aren't edited into the piece, they are superimposed live, so if you re-edit you can put the graphics instruction back in.

I have known astons to be burnt onto the package when the soundbite is very quick - it's more reliable than getting the PA/director to do it live spot on at the correct moment. There are other reasons why they can't be played out live - when there are several in quick succession or at the same time, or if there's a non standard character or spacing issue (a long name for example)

Precisely

Get with the modern world, will you? Every camera shot you see on news output, on every channel/broadcaster, has been set or designed with the channel branding in mind.

And if you want to take that to it's logical conclusion, most television programmes still shoot 'centre safe'.

I think you think that shooting to allow a safe zone for lower third graphics etc will compromise the artistic integrity of the piece. Wrong. Because a skilled camera person will get it right, and make it look beautiful at the same time.

It's been the tradition during Wimbledon fortnight for the weather at lunchtime and the main bulletin to come from The All England Club, so disappointed that Kate Kinsella was in the virtual studio instead.