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Great Britons – The Studio Debate
The 'Great Britons' poll to find the nation's top ten Britons who
have contributed most to British life culminated in a live studio-based
debate broadcast on BBC TWO on 24 November 2002. For the finale,
BBC News wanted to produce an election-style programme including
ten presenters, a large audience of supporters and a screen feeding
regular updates.
Alexandra Henderson, Editor and Rob Hopkin, Director, BBC News
wanted a studio space that was large and versatile with suitable
infrastructure for an event of this scale. They worked closely with
BBC Studios to plan the programme format within a tight time-frame.
For the event, Studio 1 in Television Centre was used and could
easily seat the required 230 people.
Commenting on the programme, Rob Hopkin, Director, BBC News said:
"This was a very high profile series and we wanted the ultimate
show to do justice to the national debate that had developed during
the documentary series. BBC Studios worked with our own team to
not provide not just the space but the infrastructure, logistical
and technical support we needed."
Set designer Christopher George was brought in to achieve the desired
look for the programme and he worked alongside the studio team.
The 360 degree circular set, with arena seating for the supporters,
also featured an LED video wall containing VT updates presented
by Peter Snow, a podium for presenter Anne Robinson and an area
for the presenters.
The studio plan was continuously evolving as adjustments were made
and once it was drawn up, BBC Studios gained local council approval.
When BBC News wanted to add in extra seating on the day of the show
that would block the existing fire exits, modifications were made
to the set and approved by the council to provide new fire exits
for the audience.
One of the most complex requirements was the sound which was overseen
by Dave Lee, Sound Supervisor, BBC Studios. Six audience microphones
were positioned high up above the seating rostras to pick up the
general ambience and applause. In addition, six directional microphones
on the end of "fishing rods" (extendable microphone holders)
were also used to capture specific comments and questions from the
audience.
To facilitate everyone hearing each other a number of loudspeakers
were placed around the studio. The audience was arranged in to 10
"wedges" of 22 and above each one was a complex mixing
and matrixing system which fed microphones to the appropriate zones.
(No microphone could be used close to a speaker as this would have
caused feedback problems). Additional loudspeakers were provided
for Anne Robinson, Peter Snow and the guest presenters. Each loudspeaker
had its own specific destination containing a unique mix. These
were generated as sub - from the broadcast mixing console that were
fed to a public address mixing point on the studio floor which passed
the relevant mixes to the speakers.
A spotter at the PA point kept the whole sound crew informed of
where Anne Robinson was looking to go next and which members of
the audience looked likely to speak next. Each microphone was kept
on a separate channel of the mixing desk and faded up the mics which
were need at any time.
During the show some of the radio mics experienced interference.
This was caused by a combination of mobile phones, other people
in the vicinity using radio mics as well as too many walkie-talkies
being used at the same time. The sound team quickly realised that
they could deal with the interference by substituting some of the
mics and they were on hand to put out cabled standby mics which
were then faded up to give a good sound quality.
On the night, the BBC News production team worked with the studio
staff on the ground. Seven cameras were used to capture the action
in the round including a technacrane to get overhead moving shots
to create big dramatic moves.
Jeremy Turner, Resource Manager, BBC Studios adds: "The whole
show was very demanding, both technically and artistically. Due
to the fluid nature of the programme plan and the fact that it was
a live studio event, it was important to work closely as a team
and find solutions to the challenges."
-ENDS-
About BBC Resources
BBC Resources is one of the leading broadcast facilities operations
in the UK. The company was incorporated in 1998, and was the first
of the BBC's commercial business-to-business subsidiaries to be
established. It now forms one of the four businesses within the
BBC Ventures Group – alongside BBC Technology, BBC Broadcast
and Kingswood Warren Ventures. BBC Resources supplies a comprehensive
set of facilities and services including outside broadcasts, studios,
post production and costume and wigs, combining extensive experience
with a plethora of award-winning talent and expertise. Mike Southgate
is its Managing Director. Further information about BBC Resources
can be found at: www.bbcresources.com
About BBC Studios
BBC Studios, a division of BBC Resources, provides a portfolio of
fully-equipped studios. Based at London's Television Centre and
Elstree, the full range of 17 studios are flexible and able to cater
to any programming requirement across multiple genres - from game
shows to music and entertainment, drama and live events. From award
winning craft staff to highly skilled engineers, BBC Studios staff
are all experts in their field and are on hand to offer advice and
guidance at any stage of the production process. BBC Studios is
also able to provide bespoke studio-based equipment including touch-screen,
virtual reality technology and interactive TV solutions. Further
information can be found at www.bbcresources.com/studios
For further information, please contact:
Georgie Hollett, PR & Comms Exec, BBC Resources
Tel: +44 (0)20 8576 2350 (Television Centre)
Mobile: +44 (0)7834 845612 (Mobile)
Email: georgie.hollett@bbc.co.uk
For information relating to jobs and trainee schemes at BBC Resources
and the BBC as a whole please visit our jobs pages
www.bbc.co.uk/workexperience
www.bbc.co.uk/jobs/
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