AN
This is an interesting thread. Sometimes you just assume that a set is built exclusively from scratch but I think we’re seeing more elements being used across different shows now. One example I can think of is the big round screen on the floor of the Millionaire set (which looks so good I thought it was a green screen) - I presume that’s also the floor for 5 Gold Rings and possibly The Voice too?
DM
The video floor for WWTBAM and 5 Gold Rings is provided by Potion Pictures.
http://potionpictures.co.uk/project-category/studio-screens/
One example I can think of is the big round screen on the floor of the Millionaire set (which looks so good I thought it was a green screen) - I presume that’s also the floor for 5 Gold Rings and possibly The Voice too?
The video floor for WWTBAM and 5 Gold Rings is provided by Potion Pictures.
http://potionpictures.co.uk/project-category/studio-screens/
HC
Curious they are using Windows, because I've been in the audience at a couple of gameshow recordings, when the screens on set have gone off, and on the reboot, the whole system running the show has being run using Apple macs
Curious they are using Windows, because I've been in the audience at a couple of gameshow recordings, when the screens on set have gone off, and on the reboot, the whole system running the show has being run using Apple macs
JW
Yeah, watching it back, it’s even more awkward than I remembered it at the time!
What an awkward piece of viewing.
Yeah, watching it back, it’s even more awkward than I remembered it at the time!
VM
Good thread to link to Andy Walmsley’s site with lots of photos of set design (remember when You’ve Been Framed had a studio?)
http://www.andywalmsley.com/television.php
http://www.andywalmsley.com/television.php
BL
Typically the set is built, lit, and then the floor is painted (using semi-permanent paint) and any graphics are applied. Once in a long time, typically every 10-20 years depending on usage, the floors will be stripped back to the original concrete, re-levelled, and the new layer of material will be applied. More details on the process here from the main UK supplier.
The shiny black floor is often applied from a roll of shiny black plastic just like a carpet a few metres wide. You have to be cautious of static though and you peel it off afterwards. The studio Shirley was in ( TLS Studio 1) had the floor refurbished by the company you linked to in 2005. But you don’t need to take the floor back to concrete, in Studio 1’s case a new layer literally just a few mm thick was laid over the existing floor surface after a couple of bumps, scrapes and general dings were filled and levelled off.
Another point often overlooked is the earth bonding of sets containing metal portions. I was once asked to look into a problem with an in-vision TV set having hum bars rolling through it. The set was mains fed from somewhere and video fed from somewhere elsewhere. I refused to walk onto the set until it was all earth bonded properly - the simple act of walking from once piece of set to another could have led to potentially dangerous consequences.
Is that "shiny black floor" effect applied in-situ or offsite in a paint shop? I always wondered how they achieved those shiny floors in studios. As a youngster, I imagined those shiny floors to be deep-set solid plastic. A bit like giant black lego blocks.
Typically the set is built, lit, and then the floor is painted (using semi-permanent paint) and any graphics are applied. Once in a long time, typically every 10-20 years depending on usage, the floors will be stripped back to the original concrete, re-levelled, and the new layer of material will be applied. More details on the process here from the main UK supplier.
The shiny black floor is often applied from a roll of shiny black plastic just like a carpet a few metres wide. You have to be cautious of static though and you peel it off afterwards. The studio Shirley was in ( TLS Studio 1) had the floor refurbished by the company you linked to in 2005. But you don’t need to take the floor back to concrete, in Studio 1’s case a new layer literally just a few mm thick was laid over the existing floor surface after a couple of bumps, scrapes and general dings were filled and levelled off.
Another point often overlooked is the earth bonding of sets containing metal portions. I was once asked to look into a problem with an in-vision TV set having hum bars rolling through it. The set was mains fed from somewhere and video fed from somewhere elsewhere. I refused to walk onto the set until it was all earth bonded properly - the simple act of walking from once piece of set to another could have led to potentially dangerous consequences.
DO
Big expensive technical elements for anything other than permanent installs will generally be hired on a job-per-job basis from specialist hire companies. Means you only pay for it when you need it, and it's someone else's problem when it doesn't work properly.
LED screen systems are supplied as modules so they're actually pretty quick and easy to install. I've taken about 40sq/m of it down and boxed up by myself in about 30 minutes and putting it up doesn't take much longer (the panels have to be aligned properly to lock together which is the main time difference, and is almost always easier with two people), if that gives you any idea of how quick it is. Panels are expensive though, and every year there are new better versions, so if you only need it for a few days a year filming it's silly to buy.
This is an interesting thread. Sometimes you just assume that a set is built exclusively from scratch but I think we’re seeing more elements being used across different shows now. One example I can think of is the big round screen on the floor of the Millionaire set (which looks so good I thought it was a green screen) - I presume that’s also the floor for 5 Gold Rings and possibly The Voice too?
Big expensive technical elements for anything other than permanent installs will generally be hired on a job-per-job basis from specialist hire companies. Means you only pay for it when you need it, and it's someone else's problem when it doesn't work properly.
LED screen systems are supplied as modules so they're actually pretty quick and easy to install. I've taken about 40sq/m of it down and boxed up by myself in about 30 minutes and putting it up doesn't take much longer (the panels have to be aligned properly to lock together which is the main time difference, and is almost always easier with two people), if that gives you any idea of how quick it is. Panels are expensive though, and every year there are new better versions, so if you only need it for a few days a year filming it's silly to buy.
CW
Charlie Wells
Moderator
I'm not sure if it exists on youtube anywhere but I recall (possibly late-90s) Blue Peter did a piece where they showed how their studio was set up from scratch and struck with timelapse(?) footage.
VA
Typically the set is built, lit, and then the floor is painted (using semi-permanent paint) and any graphics are applied. Once in a long time, typically every 10-20 years depending on usage, the floors will be stripped back to the original concrete, re-levelled, and the new layer of material will be applied. More details on the process here from the main UK supplier.
The shiny black floor is often applied from a roll of shiny black plastic just like a carpet a few metres wide. You have to be cautious of static though and you peel it off afterwards. The studio Shirley was in (TLS Studio 1) had the floor refurbished by the company you linked to in 2005. But you don’t need to take the floor back to concrete, in Studio 1’s case a new layer literally just a few mm thick was laid over the existing floor surface after a couple of bumps, scrapes and general dings were filled and levelled off.
Another point often overlooked is the earth bonding of sets containing metal portions. I was once asked to look into a problem with an in-vision TV set having hum bars rolling through it. The set was mains fed from somewhere and video fed from somewhere elsewhere. I refused to walk onto the set until it was all earth bonded properly - the simple act of walking from once piece of set to another could have led to potentially dangerous consequences.
Indeed, and it can look better than painted floors, although that method is not the preferred choice for shows which require more precise camera tracking as it can often be applied badly or without due care...
And no, you don't have to, but I think the norm is that it should be taken back to the bare concrete (having spoken and worked with many studio managers over the years). The newer products have a slightly shorter lifespan than the older flooring as well, from what I've been told.
Is that "shiny black floor" effect applied in-situ or offsite in a paint shop? I always wondered how they achieved those shiny floors in studios. As a youngster, I imagined those shiny floors to be deep-set solid plastic. A bit like giant black lego blocks.
Typically the set is built, lit, and then the floor is painted (using semi-permanent paint) and any graphics are applied. Once in a long time, typically every 10-20 years depending on usage, the floors will be stripped back to the original concrete, re-levelled, and the new layer of material will be applied. More details on the process here from the main UK supplier.
The shiny black floor is often applied from a roll of shiny black plastic just like a carpet a few metres wide. You have to be cautious of static though and you peel it off afterwards. The studio Shirley was in (TLS Studio 1) had the floor refurbished by the company you linked to in 2005. But you don’t need to take the floor back to concrete, in Studio 1’s case a new layer literally just a few mm thick was laid over the existing floor surface after a couple of bumps, scrapes and general dings were filled and levelled off.
Another point often overlooked is the earth bonding of sets containing metal portions. I was once asked to look into a problem with an in-vision TV set having hum bars rolling through it. The set was mains fed from somewhere and video fed from somewhere elsewhere. I refused to walk onto the set until it was all earth bonded properly - the simple act of walking from once piece of set to another could have led to potentially dangerous consequences.
Indeed, and it can look better than painted floors, although that method is not the preferred choice for shows which require more precise camera tracking as it can often be applied badly or without due care...
And no, you don't have to, but I think the norm is that it should be taken back to the bare concrete (having spoken and worked with many studio managers over the years). The newer products have a slightly shorter lifespan than the older flooring as well, from what I've been told.
FA
I remember the piece. Was it to do with the 1999 relaunch where Konnie went backstage on all elements from graphics and title design, to music and set?
I’m sure I remember them saying that the floor would be painted and then stripped off the paint when the set was removed.
I'm not sure if it exists on youtube anywhere but I recall (possibly late-90s) Blue Peter did a piece where they showed how their studio was set up from scratch and struck with timelapse(?) footage.
I remember the piece. Was it to do with the 1999 relaunch where Konnie went backstage on all elements from graphics and title design, to music and set?
I’m sure I remember them saying that the floor would be painted and then stripped off the paint when the set was removed.