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Look East changes (November 2003)

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MD
MarkDC
When Look East moved into the Forum building, I thought they would still keep the corporate look.
Does anybody know why they adopted the LDN style and tweaked it, plus who designed the set? I
Didnt find any info on why they made that specific move.
PC
Philip Cobbold
They still do have the corporate style. They have red and cream walls, red furniture, and music with bums and beeps. This equals BBC corporate style.

http://www.thetvroom.com/area-b/images-bbc-east/images-2003b/main-4.jpg

Picture from The TV Room
DA
Davidjb Founding member
It was nice to see Look East using The Forum to its bigger potential tonight. They had Mileen Klass (sorry is spelt wrong) from former pop group Hear Say playing her new song on the main floor. She even got a crowd watching her.
M
M@ Founding member
They really need to bring back a desk. It's looks cack without one. They look so akward sitting down, not knowing what to do with their hands.
NG
noggin Founding member
M@ posted:
They really need to bring back a desk. It's looks cack without one. They look so akward sitting down, not knowing what to do with their hands.


Do you watch the show - or are you basing your views on that occasional wide shot used after the Close Up opt? Most of the time the 2 shot is tighter, or they are shot on singles, and I don't see any discomfort at all. Now they've tidied up the cables I think the coffee table and red chairs look quite stylish - not too informal, but not too stuffy either.
KA
Katherine Founding member
M@ posted:
They really need to bring back a desk. It's looks cack without one. They look so akward sitting down, not knowing what to do with their hands.

You've got a point there M@; good as it is at present, the coffee table they have could do with being as large as the East Midlands Today desk. Do you get a slight nuance of a departure lounge in an airport with the current arrangement?
TV
TVDragon
And then also you see, there's the embarrassment of everyone seeing Stewart White's bright pink socks.
M
M@ Founding member
Yep, watch the show every day (well, it's on while I'm doing the washing-up). Susie in particular always looks akward, normally when they have the shot of them both and you can see their hands.

The "table creates a barrier betwen us and the viewer" is just an excuse to do something daring.
DM
Dominic M
MarkDC posted:
When Look East moved into the Forum building, I thought they would still keep the corporate look.
Does anybody know why they adopted the LDN style and tweaked it, plus who designed the set? I
Didnt find any info on why they made that specific move.


The reason as to why Look East made the move to the Forum (joining their colleagues from BBC Radio Norfolk, whom originally moved there at the end of June), was to make them more accessible to the public, whereas their old home was not so accessible (closer to the edge of the city).

Also, with the layout of the old television premises not complying with the Disability Discrimination Act, plus the cost of converting the facility to hold new broadcast equipment, meant that it was easier for them to move to the Forum, rather than stay at their old premises.

Even I originally thought as well that Look East would have retained the old set in some form, but I think that they made a brave move in their new home in trying something different in regards to their new set, and the overall on-screen presentation style of the regional bulletins during the day.

In my opinion, the new look to Look East has made the programme a lot more relaxed and friendlier, but has not compromised the news values of the BBC, even though reports in the local press say that it was a stressful period for members of staff with the move.

I understand that the set for the programme was designed by a former Broads boat builder.
ST
South Today
M@ posted:
They really need to bring back a desk. It's looks cack without one. They look so akward sitting down, not knowing what to do with their hands.


Totally agree with you! It would be ok if the desk returned and a backdrop of the old Norwich Market!
ST
Still
Dominic M posted:


The reason as to why Look East made the move to the Forum (joining their colleagues from BBC Radio Norfolk, whom originally moved there at the end of June), was to make them more accessible to the public, whereas their old home was not so accessible (closer to the edge of the city).


The old studios were no more than five minutes walk from the forum, but you are right, if they didn't have a BBC flag flying, you'd hardly know they were there. Certainly comapred to Anglia at least.

As for the new studio, I think it is very very good. I disagree about Stewart and Susie looking awkward. It's not as though they keep shifting around nervously, distracting the viewers attention. It just looks a little different.
ST
South Today
Philip Cobbold posted:


Stewart always seems to wear exactly the same red socks!

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