I think the windows are a little over the top, but I love the detailing around the ceiling. Admittedly, it's only one static image, but if I didn't know it was all CGI (aside from the desk and platform), I could have been convinced that the overhead lighting (and lightbox), as well as the trimming at the top of the 'walls' was real.
If you're going to do a virtual set, you've got to do it properly - and I think ITV have nailed it here.
I just hope they use more than just the three sides. As we saw back in December during Phil Schofields visit the studio is set up so the London and National sets are as one, not two separate sets in the same studio, so there really was potential to at the very least use both sides of the studio, either using the London part for further interviews or as the graphics areas. If Julie's graphics are pretty much restricted to just appearing on a screen it's not going to look great at all.
Yes the London desk will be used by Julie. It's at a 90 degree angle to the main desk near to the screen where Julie's stood.
I think the backdrop looks too busy - especially as those monitors don't really serve any purpose. Would prefer to have seen something more simple like the London skyline or a really great shot of Parliament without all the clutter.
From the promo the view from the 'window' of London doesn't seem to be video, and just a static image, which lets it down slightly.
Maybe not on the night itself?
The whole thing is very simple but ITV is doing "understated" nowadays with News and as people have said, content is key plus the BBC and C4 will probably beat it anyway.
I'm surprised ITV haven't yet tried a more populist approach to election coverage in the same way they did for the Royal Wedding. Having a genuine alternative to the Beeb is the only way to have any worth.
I'm surprised ITV haven't yet tried a more populist approach to election coverage in the same way they did for the Royal Wedding. Having a genuine alternative to the Beeb is the only way to have any worth.
Interesting idea. I can't envisage how it would work, but it could be different.
Well C4 have that angle covered and the two are quite different events - an election is about as newsy as it gets really.
I'm sure they'll do just fine - the set maybe underwhelming but really they took pretty much the same approach in 2010 and 2005. They won't beat the BBC in the viewing figures but they'll more than hold their own as they usually do - in recent years they've been getting more and more praise for their efforts in comparison to ITV even though that may not always translate into ratings.
Tom Bradby is a risk but looking to the future probably one worth taking, although it does leave them without an obvious correspondent to sum up the nights results as they come in, a role you'd expect Tom to be taking if it was someone else hosting. I suspect too that ITV are also very keen to keep hold of Tom and don't want him to be yet another political editor jumping ship to the BBC when a vacancy becomes free there, especially with rumours of Nick Robinson being due to quit.