The Newsroom

BBC Midlands Today

(May 2012)

This site closed in March 2021 and is now a read-only archive
AC
aconnell
To be fair, the NWT studio is also used for Breakfast, so obviously they need to do better than a regional-style studio. It's perfectly understandable IMO.


Shame they didn't though, eh? the one at Oxford Road could have worked 10,000 times better than the mess they got lumbered with (such a high pricetag too!)


In terms of the space, yes, Oxford Road's studio was clearly very spacious, but the set-up there looked very dated and cheap with the projected screens and lot backdrop. Obviously, moving out of Oxford Road was clearly needed, thats a different discussion. If they had gone with the original idea of the space overlooking the Quays with the higher ceiling, their current space wouldn't have had to be used. Having said that, how they have used their space is quite remarkable, and isn't so prohibitive as I originally thought it would be. For Breakfast, the dimensions and layout more than suffice, and this current look in Salford is, combined, the programme's strongest look yet.

Right, back to discussion of Midlands Today.
CH
chris
To be fair, the NWT studio is also used for Breakfast, so obviously they need to do better than a regional-style studio. It's perfectly understandable IMO.


Shame they didn't though, eh? the one at Oxford Road could have worked 10,000 times better than the mess they got lumbered with (such a high pricetag too!)


In terms of the space, yes, Oxford Road's studio was clearly very spacious, but the set-up there looked very dated and cheap with the projected screens and lot backdrop. Obviously, moving out of Oxford Road was clearly needed, thats a different discussion. If they had gone with the original idea of the space overlooking the Quays with the higher ceiling, their current space wouldn't have had to be used. Having said that, how they have used their space is quite remarkable, and isn't so prohibitive as I originally thought it would be. For Breakfast, the dimensions and layout more than suffice, and this current look in Salford is, combined, the programme's strongest look yet.


I agree that the studio in Oxford Road was probably better in terms of size, but equipment was poor and the whole building was dated. Lots of it deserted it and Salford is much more appropriate and modern.
AC
aconnell
Yes, I definitely agree with the above assessment. Swings and roundabounds really, but I don't find much of a problem with the Breakfast studio now. I really like the way they're making the most of what they can do in there.
PE
Pete Founding member
Notts was installed with the Great East Midlands ironing board...


I'd totally forgotten about the EMT Ironing Board set! A magnificent moment in set design.
MW
Mike W
Pete posted:
Notts was installed with the Great East Midlands ironing board...


I'd totally forgotten about the EMT Ironing Board set! A magnificent moment in set design.


Oh yes, not forgetting the slightly botched mask over the 'East' in EMT's titles when Pebble Mill was closed....
IS
Isonstine Founding member
I think the 'Midlands Today' end board created by Nottingham was custom made. Although if I remember correctly, it looked a little off as the text was a bit too high as it was in the same position as the 'East Midlands' and without the 'Today' underneath meant it was off-centre.

But gosh yes, the ironing board - what were they thinking. Mind you, East Midlands have always been one to experiment since going corporate. They were the first region to get rid of the desk but again that looked odd as the presenters were sat lower compared to the 'window' and didn't make for nicely framed shots until the arrival of the Nottingham Launderette.
PE
Pete Founding member
Discussions like EMT being a dual purpose news and laundry operation (along with such delights as Daddy's best suit and Susan d'Oily Osmond) is the TVF I know and love. None of this rota tripe. <3
WE
Westy2
Out of curiosity, does Nottingham have a 'generic' set of the current (& maybe future?) 'Midlands Today' titles, in case Birmingham is out of action for any reason?

By the way, which thread are we supposed to be using now? This one or the generic Midlands one?
IS
Isonstine Founding member
I know, I miss the days of discussions such as (yes, I have just remembered that my old webspace hosts files from yesteryear):

http://homepage.ntlworld.com/jamesison/caps-2/caps003/cap198.jpg
Kay's Amazing Breakfast News, Travel and Weather System

http://homepage.ntlworld.com/jamesison/caps-2/caps002/cap529.jpg
Bob and Jo's Gas Street Party

http://homepage.ntlworld.com/jamesison/caps-2/caps003/cap315.jpg
Weather presented by an amateur

http://homepage.ntlworld.com/jamesison/caps-2/caps004/cap037.jpg
Conserva-news

http://homepage.ntlworld.com/jamesison/caps-2/caps004/cap420.jpg
Janice Long's appeal for estranged Black Country forumer Stuart Allen to come back

http://homepage.ntlworld.com/jamesison/caps-2/caps004/cap670.jpg
The introduction of Kay's Sofa Breakfast

http://homepage.ntlworld.com/jamesison/caps-2/misc/cap564.jpg
Ashley Blake's inappropriate news waves

http://homepage.ntlworld.com/jamesison/kay-c01.jpg
The first annual Kay conference...

http://homepage.ntlworld.com/jamesison/kay-c02.jpg
...and the decision to adopt a zero tolerance approach to Arati

The pilot of Midlands Breakfast with everyone's favourite Midlander:
http://homepage.ntlworld.com/jamesison/stu_midlands_brekkie.mp3

And I couldn't end this post without a good glare:

http://homepage.ntlworld.com/jamesison/x-r-glare-wallpaper.jpg
WE
Westy2
Aaargh Malin!

(makes the sign of a cross!)
MW
Mike W
Indeed - Let us not forget forum favourite Beverly Avis-Dakin...

I think I posted about 2012 (nearly 10 years on) being the year of Kay and a bamboo chair!
MW
Mike W
http://homepage.ntlworld.com/jamesison/tmd_3.jpg

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