Just got back from (long) weekend abroad so here are my first contributions to this discussion.
In a bit of a drunk condition, when getting up on Sunday I suddenly recalled the relaunch. Putting Sky News on - what could I do but just laugh. First impression: what a joke, these are some of the worst graphics I've ever seen! So much so I just turned it off!
Speaking with other people, they concur with my views. They didn't even realise that they were watching Sky News (because of the size & position of the logo). This will affect Sky when their shots are used in the papers, since their logo won't be as prominent.
At one stage yesterday, the screen had the big aston saying: 'Sky News flash' & 'breaking news' while the videowall also had 'breaking news' on it. Excessive? Yes
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BTW: 'Latest VT' I wonder if half the videos understand what they the graphic is talking about?!
The principal of the graphics is all OK, but they are just far too large.
Also this may just be personal preference but I actually find the new astons HARDER to read because I see the title first, but I want to know the name so I look down then have to look up again. Yes, I am weird but I would much prefer the other way.
The music and titles are good, although I still think there should be some sort out countdown. Maybe they should reinstate the graph paper type weather graphics and a small clock with synthesized Sky News theme, up to the hour from 89.
I can't stand them anymore, not even the blue ones. Too big, too ugly, too colourful.
I was waiting for Tony's little address to his party, this afternoon, and turned on Sky to find 'NOW - NEWS ALERT - BLAIR GIVES SPEECH TO PARTY CONFERENCE'. Yes, surely to the average person this is fairly obvious as Tony was standing at the podium and I knew it was happening now, sorry NOW, because they have a huge L I V E DOG in the corner, well it's not even in the corner, is it?
In an effort to stop being insulted - I do find it a little patronising that a channel has to tell me what I'm watching, just incase I'm too stupid to work it out for myself - I turned over to News 24. But they'd decided to do that stupid 1/4 screen lark, so I could just about pick up Tony in the corner, along with a big bullet point thing telling me what I'd just heard.
Right, methinks it's time for BBC 2. Ohh joy! Just a nice little LIVE DOG in the corner of the screen. But it all goes wrong just ten mins later, when BBC 2 decide to make subtitles part of the package, and a little aston at the bottom of the screen tells me exactly the same thing I've just heard on screen. This is quite amazing.
In a fit of confusion I turned on to BBC Parliament and whilst I still had to contend with two DOGS, I coped.
What the hell is wrong with broadcasters? I'm not stupid. I can work out what I'm watching, so why do I have to have a graphic on screen for a full hour telling me what I already know?
Does anyone have an mp3 or wav version of the new music as I am unable to hear what its like cos im away from home, and cant get Real Player on my computer!
Thanks!
SU
SpiringUnhacked
Well I can only see the pics anyway, no speakers 'cos I'm on a public network!
Only just managed to get internet access here in the sarth of France, so only just seen the new graphics. To me, they certainly seem to be OK, but I'll watch the vid files later to see properly. But I do reckon they look a tad on the heuuge side - and it's a shame they still use so much white!
SU
SpiringUnhacked
But not on the astons, contrary to the mocks used in The Sun!
By the way, have they done anything about the fact that the clock obscures the B of Breaking News on the vidwall, so it says 'REAKING NEWS' 5at least in one pic I saw)????!
Right. Have looked at those video clips of the new graphics etc, and here's what I think...
Title sequence - Pretty good. Basically a nicer-looking version of the one they had before the election. As for music, hmmm. Seems to go well with the title animation, but not entirely sure it's an improvement on the old stuff!
Graphics and Astons - Like the new logo/clock at the top, and I actually think the L I V E thing looks quite good - certainly it's a vast improvement on the old LIVE graphic. But it's a shame they've replaced the space in the bottom left corner with patronising blobs that say things like 'news'. For me, that's a bit like Eastenders putting up graphics that say 'argument' whenever Pat and roy have row, or something! As for the astons, hmmm again. Glad they're not white, but they'll take some getting used to. And I'm sorry, but I find that revolving 'i' very patronising, too!
Front of desk - love it!
But I've only seen it all in a tiny box on my computer screen, so for all I know, they might look really good on the telly. Are the astons animated at all? Guess I'll just have to wait until I come back from France at Christmas to see for myself.
Just a couple more questions - have they stopped showing the feeds in the videowall (which everyone but me hated!) and, if so, what have they been replaced with? Also, is there a new soft area?
I'd be reallllly grateful if someone could put up a few more video clips - especially of the top of the hour wide shot of the studio, and some of the normal studio shots too.
PS - In case anyone is wondering, I'm down in the south of France for my year abroad at uni - currently in a room that looks out over the Pyrenees!
