Spotlight CI

Just watched the 1830 bulletin. A few comments:

a) Why not just do the headlines out of Jersey? Having them from Plymouth is a bit pointless IMO.

b) Couldn't they do the weather forecast at the end and allow the summary on screen for longer, followed by the titles to opt back? Or have another story to read to make the opt smoother? We had about 20 secs of a still of the titles before we got back.

Other than that, looking quite good.

They had a particularly bad night, tonight.

It started when they ran Emma's heads, which should have gone into the top of the Six, instead of the ident up to 18:00. We got about two or three words, then the recording froze until George started speaking.

We then got Plymouth heads, instead of Emma, at the top of the Six and again at quarter past.

Then there was that incredibly long hold up to the opt back to Plymouth at the end.

On Monday, they DID have the weather last and it worked much better. I agree that they should consider it being last every day.

They appear to be trying to get the ident up to 18:00 sorted out. On Monday we got a normal "in the South West" version from Plymouth. Tuesday we got "South West in the Channel Islands", but VERY quiet and with no music in the background. Today the whole system laid on its back with its legs in the air. Better luck tomorrow.

As has been mentioned, they're doing damn well, but they ARE having some teething problems.

A lot of it is just teething problems, I know they are also trying out different ways of doing things to get the most out of the new studio and equipment - but they are all brilliant at what they do and they will get there.

Also I know they are keeping an eye on here and other forums and taking in account public opinion so keep it coming.

Agree entirely - the level of multi-skilling for the Channel Islands operation is really impressive - and it is a real accomplishment that they manage to do it.

As soon as they sort out the sound editing and levels it will improve a lot.

Yes, but this is what off air technical rehearsals are meant to be for.

Playing around with the system limitations and trying new ideas in front of viewers every weekday evening at 6.30 is a strange idea to say the least.

Yes - though at the staffing levels some current operations run at you may not actually have the time, money or staff for off-air technical rehearsals.

Welcome to the new world...

Fair point, sir - but it wouldn't take that much to get the director and gallery PA in at 5pm for a couple of days to try out these new things rather than trying them out on air.

In the opening titles of Spotlight C.I there is a shot of an old man who turns his head & is standing near some boats. This same shot was used, (up until the recent change), on South Today. How can this be used on both programmes? Don't the shots have to be actually from that region?

Nate

Well as far as i can work out, none of those shots are from the Channel Islands. The RNLI boat could be from here, but i'm guessing it's not. I'm thinking they might just be stock/library shots.

That makes all the shots a bit pointless doesn't it?! That would be a bit like South Today having Big Ben in its opening credits! You should complain & get them to film actual people/places in the islands

IIRC, there's a shot of kids playing on a housing estate which has been used in South Today's titles that's now being used in Look North (NE&C)'s titles. I'm sure the average viewer is none the wiser though.

It's nothing like that. Big Ben is a unique and instantly recognisable landmark. Using relevant but generic images is a forgiveable subterfuge IMHO.



Ah, you were joking. As you were.