Eurovision Song Contest - Belgrade 2008

I agree, it was extremely underwhelming and I was left expecting the interval act to come on so it was quite a surprise to see the voting begin! This is the first time I've actually prefered the semi-final interval act (both of them) to the final interval act. Usually the semi-final intervals are truely awful (last year's was a sheer embarassment) but they were certainly more watchable this year than the final interval.

Was watching the semis on BBC Three so didn't see the semi-final interval acts as BBC Three opted out to do their own thing with Paddy and Caroline.

I have to say I think that the in-vision bits really give the semi final a bit more character, and make it feel a bit more "immediate". Not suggesting the technique should be used for the final - but the added value of little packages etc. really do lift the show - particularly the first semi which we couldn't vote in.

I would tend to agree - the camera work in 1993, 1994 and 1997 left a lot to be desired but 1995 was undoubtedly superb from that point of view. Absolutely NO dodgy shots whatsoever, no mistakes of any kind and the cuts/dissolves were timed perfectly in each song. It really was a wonderful production - indeed it was Colm (whatever his 2nd name is) from the BBC who commented on such when he was calling in the UK votes. Before that, it was unheard of a jury spokesperson to make congratulatory comments! Its such a pity 1997 went back to the 1993-style direction. It was a true let-down.

Take it from me, the Russians now have some superb technical facilities, it's the production values and skill of the staff that will be a problem, without 'outside' assistance.

Suspect it was Colin Berry.

Yep - no worries on the facilities front - it is the production that will decide how good or bad the coverage is.

No worries about it being in HD...

I wonder why UEFA got Sky/021 to cover the Champions League final from Moscow and not use Russian facilities?

The host broadcasters were actually Visions AIUI. Sky may well have had 021 doing their local pres. It's normal for 'Western Europe' facilities companies to be used as the host broadcasters for such events. Many of the Russian facilities were being used by other broadcasters for their on-site pres. One 32 camera HD truck I'm familiar with was used by TF1 for instance, (though not all 32 cameras )

Ah yes that would be correct. Just out of interest, I've posted the Spanish song from 1995. It still amazes me how accurate and effective the cuts in this song are - truly well done. Admitttedly, you can see the way the jib in particular only began to move when on-shot a lot of the time. John Comiskey, the director, really did a fantastic job scripting the contest that year. Anybody would think it was a 90s-style conservative Sven!

Pay particular attention to the cuts in the second half of the song - flawless!
Spain 1995

1996 - Morten Harket and Ingvild Brin
1994 - Gerry and some woman whose name I've forgotten!
1992 - Lydia Capoliccio och Harald Treutiger
1991 - Toto Cotugno and Gigliola Cinquetti

in fact, it goes back to Pat Kenny and Michelle whatserface in 1988!

That would be
1988: Pat Kenny and Michelle Rocca
1994: Gerry Ryan and Cynthia Ní Mhurchú

I thought Visions (now NEP Visions) provided the main match facilities. 021 may have provided Sky's local pres - but I don't think they provided the main match mix. No idea if Sky provided any production staff for the main match mix.

Soccer coverage and facilities are usually done by Western facilities companies - as the main admin operation for UEFA is based in that part of the world, and the UEFA host broadcast operation is more familiar with this region's facilities provider. Using a UK HD facilities provider doesn't mean that there aren't local Russian HD facilities of similar quality - it just means that the contract was placed with a UK provider for that event.