I really enjoyed the LIVE Bill episode tonight. I too noticed the time of death was exact 2049 and I thought it was a good storyline.
I think there should be more LIVE episodes of some of these programmes. Coronation Street and ER did it and now The Bill, let Emmerdale have a go.
What is probably putting a stop to that idea is that unlike Coronation Street the interior and exterior sets are about 10 miles away from each other, Therefore it would have to be all filmed with the characters indoors
I rarely watch The Bill these days, but tonight's was well done, though you could tell it was live there very good at not making a mess of it IMO. It's just a shame it was the Big 2-0 and we didn't see Reg Hollis at all, possibly one of the best characters The Bill has ever had.
I managed to watch Woodentop and that was equally as good, I can't believe that 20 Years ago Carver's voice was dead high. Though comparing that to The Bill of today you can't believe how much it has changed, probably becuase there's far more violence and serious issues done on the programme. And ITV2 of all stations keeping the Thames Storyboard frontcap on the episode, shame ITV2 doesn't repeat ITV Classics more often, as it was ruined, ie it wasn't cropped, it wasn't edited to bits, the only things which were different were the breaks as there was 3 of them, when there should have only been one or two.
I do seem to remember you could buy that episode on video at one point, though you can't anymore. I was glad I taped it.
shame ITV2 doesn't repeat ITV Classics more often, as it was ruined, ie it wasn't cropped, it wasn't edited to bits, the only things which were different were the breaks as there was 3 of them, when there should have only been one or two.
I wonder if it's the standard we'll see when "ITV Gold" is eventually launched.
I thought the whole thing was pretty impressive - interesting to see that Roz Storey vision mixed it - she is one of the best live music vision mixers, in fact one of the best live vision mixers full stop. There was some very polished cutting on reactions, and action.
I didn't see a director credit though - did anyone catch who directed the episode?
I also notice that the vision credit was an ex-BBC OB vision supervisor - the racking and camera matching was pretty good. Does anyone know if the Family Affairs facilities were used - they are multicamera, unlike the normally single camera "The Bill" - or was an OB facility used?
Noggin - I have a friend who works on The Bill production team. I was chatting with him earlier this week, apparently the facilites for "Family Affairs" (i.e. multi cameras) and "The Bill" have been merged for the live episode, in fact for the exterior scenes with Rob and Eva the Family Affairs "mock street" in the studio backlot was used.
A vast amount of preperation has gone into the live episode, the set has had to be partially remodelled to make space for the extra crew as well as contigency plans made for mess-ups!
If anyone has any specific questions re: the live ep, I'll try and put them to him.
BTW - been browsing the forum for a long time but only just signed up. hi everyone
I thought the whole thing was pretty impressive - interesting to see that Roz Storey vision mixed it - she is one of the best live music vision mixers, in fact one of the best live vision mixers full stop. There was some very polished cutting on reactions, and action.
I didn't see a director credit though - did anyone catch who directed the episode?
I also notice that the vision credit was an ex-BBC OB vision supervisor - the racking and camera matching was pretty good. Does anyone know if the Family Affairs facilities were used - they are multicamera, unlike the normally single camera "The Bill" - or was an OB facility used?
Noggin - I have a friend who works on The Bill production team. I was chatting with him earlier this week, apparently the facilites for "Family Affairs" (i.e. multi cameras) and "The Bill" have been merged for the live episode, in fact for the exterior scenes with Rob and Eva the Family Affairs "mock street" in the studio backlot was used.
A vast amount of preperation has gone into the live episode, the set has had to be partially remodelled to make space for the extra crew as well as contigency plans made for mess-ups!
If anyone has any specific questions re: the live ep, I'll try and put them to him.
BTW - been browsing the forum for a long time but only just signed up. hi everyone
Yep - I believe that the front desk was always on standby with a filler scene with a member of the public in case one of the other set-ups wasn't ready.
Thought the hospital scenes were interesting - I was impressed with the doctors ability to remember the medial spiel without the old trick of having a chart to hold with the script on it. (Apparently quite common on old live/as-live hospital TV dramas)
They're being a bit clever Kathy has just been offered some interview on live TV "Me On Live TV Ye " and what about the hospital set and Duffy in with her son as a Patient she was in the BBC one ,and nice to see Dennis from Corrie back from the dead.
He never used to have a Welsh accent though, did he?
So Is Gary dead or not - they did say they were killing off a sun hill regular (I presumed this was Juliet when she died) but is Gary injured or dead because it seemed to happen so quick you didnt know what actually happened.....
A very good episode. I think they did well but you could tell it was live!!!!
As has often been pointed out, this is a TV presentation forum. No one has commented that The Bill managed one hour of spotless, engaging television, somthing LNN have yet to achieve.
The production team for last nights live Bill was full of top pro's, well resourced, well rehearsed, well prepared ..............Mmmm an armed seige in the ITV1 continuity booth LIVE
Paul J "I don't too fast talk, or mistakes make?"
Paul S (With matey Des Lynam sound) "Just clam down now on ITV1 and put that TV Times down before you hurt someone"
ENTER GRAHAM R
Graham R " Look I've just bought a new biro, it's black, cost me 10p"
Paul J and Paul S - YAWN
Graham R "I'm going to count the empty parking spaces now" EXITS
SHOUT FROM OUTSIDE
"GO GO GO!"
Graham B, Sasha and Sonya burst in
Graham B (To Sonya) "Quide liderally cover him grade made"
Sonya removes a white stiletto and holds it aloft ready to strike, chewing her gum with a degree of menace
Paul J "Back off! Or he gots it (Nods at Paul S)"
Sonya "Tsk. Whatevah!"
Graham B "Sasha, off you go. Do-o-o-o-o- It!"
Sasha (POUTS AT Paul J) "Don't be beastly. I think you being all grunty and Scotch"
Paul J "Scots"
ALL EXCEPT Sonya "Whatevah!!!!!!!"
Sonya "Y'takin' the p***?"
Sasha lifts her top to reveal a bra with photos of Trish and Glen printed on it. Paul J drops his sharpened TV Times and drops to his knees.
Paul J "Forgive me holy Father, blessed mother for I sinned er or you to again, I wo, well y'see"
Sonya strikes him on the head with her white stiletto.
All protest "Sonya!!!"
Sonya "It were for 'is own good... Anyone fancy going to a club?"
Sasha "What, pony club?"
Sonya "Whatevah!" BOTH LEAVE
Graham B(to camera) "Just another heady day grade mades in quide liderally ITV1 condinuidy (SALUTES) G'night all"
Graham R ENTERS "14 empty spaces in the ca....(trips over Paul J)
Did you spot the mistake on last nights episode? When the two inspectors got out their car, before they found the couple shagging in the back alley, the female inspector (sorry can't remember her name) was hunting around with her torch still switched off.
It wasn't obvious though, and I think the cast and crew did brilliantly last night to pull this one off.
They're being a bit clever Kathy has just been offered some interview on live TV "Me On Live TV Ye " and what about the hospital set and Duffy in with her son as a Patient she was in the BBC one ,and nice to see Dennis from Corrie back from the dead.
He never used to have a Welsh accent though, did he?
The accent we heard last night is his real accent. The Corrie one was put on.
Brilliant!