Tag Archive for 'channel 4'

The news needs more Steadicam (and laughs).

Published on January 30, 2011 in Channel 4 and Videos: Promos. 0 Comments Tags: .

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The wit of David Mitchell and the profundity of Charlie Brooker have joined forces along with Jimmy Carr and Lauren Laverne for a new topical comedy programme on Channel 4 called 10 O’Clock Live.

In a similar vein to local productions Hungry Beast or the 7pm Project the show is a tight hour or news, chat and comedy. Visually the programmes colour palette and set design are decidedly un-newsy, and the use of Steadicam makes for a (quite literally) smooth viewing experience.

Something that’s meant to make us laugh, is somehow also making us smarter. The rise of comedy in the delivery of news is challenging new audiences to have a greater understanding of the world around them, and hopefully that’s a good thing.

Planes, cars and Blackpool.

Published on October 23, 2010 in Videos: Idents. 6 Comments Tags: , .

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Channel 4 have been producing some of the most beautifully executed and conceptually coherent idents on television for nearly six years now.

Yesterday they introduced three new spots (well two if you don’t count the 3D spot) with the clear stand out being the epic airplane graveyard ident.

Again, an absolute triumph in branding and incomparable to local offerings. For the full set of Channel 4 idents stretching back to the beginning look here.

A day in the life of British news.

Published on April 16, 2010 in Videos: Broadcast News. 23 Comments Tags: , , , , .

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The way a network presents its news, both visually and editorially says a lot about the channel. For the sake of comparison lets look at how ITV, BBC, Sky and Channel 4 covered today’s Ash-attack.

I’ll avoid making comment on the various broadcasters editorial skills, but to summarise the look and feel of each news bulletin:

- The BBC is the straightest, clean lines, serious look.
- Channel 4 is the edgiest, feels a touch alternative.
- ITV is the glossiest, very shiny, little to CGI heavy.
- And Sky News is by far the least interesting.

For some historical perspective, check out my 2007 edition of this exact same post.

With the launch of ABC News 24 getting close, I look forward to seeing how the ABC takes on the task of branding a whole news channel. Hopefully nothing like Sky.

The next big thing in promos? Parodying Apple.

Published on March 9, 2010 in Channel 4 and Videos: Promos. 3 Comments Tags: , , .

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British channel E4 have looked to Apple and its soon to be released iPad for inspiration and parody in this new promo.

Mocking Apple’s product videos this new spot jumps on board the iPad hype machine with their very own, if not slightly bulkier alternative, the ePad.

Channel 4 goes 3D for a week.

Published on December 14, 2009 in Channel 4 and Videos: Idents. 4 Comments Tags: .

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Last month Channel 4 embraced the 3D television fad with a week of special programming, and some nifty on-air branding to go along with it.

Along with the 3D promos, a special 3D ident was also produced. Check out the rest of the Channel 4 idents here.

Channel 4′s truly alternative Christmas message.

Published on December 27, 2008 in Channel 4 and Videos: TV. 5 Comments Tags: , , .

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Since 1993 Channel 4 has been offering viewers an alternative to the Queen’s Christmas message. With the likes of Ali G, Jamie Oliver and even Marge Simpson delivering a speech it’s generally been a rather tongue-in-cheek event.

This year however Channel 4 decided to court controversy with their decision to approach Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad (who was so beautifully satirised by SNL here) to deliver the address.

The Hits becomes 4Music, like a kiss with a fist.

Published on August 26, 2008 in Videos: Idents. 2 Comments Tags: , .

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The Hits, a music channel in the UK relaunched itself this month as 4Music. The newly rebranded station joins the fold of sibling networks Channel 4, E4, More4 and Film4 in a multichannel line up that you could only dream of in Australia.

These two videos are promoting the relaunch which occurred on August 15th, with the first video a slow motion spot set to the track “Kiss with a Fist” by Florence and the Machine that’s refreshingly decent for a music channel.

- Cheers to Craig for the videos.

Television 101: An introduction to idents.

Published on August 3, 2008 in Videos: Idents. 14 Comments Tags: , , , .

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David Mitchell, from That Mitchell and Webb Look recently narrated a Channel 4 series called TV is Dead? all about the “challenges the television industry is currently facing as a result of the digital revolution”.

One part of the series looked at the often over looked importance of television idents, something Australian television loves to dismiss, and something that this site is all about promoting. The clip should serve as an interesting introduction to the world of idents, and also offers a great peek into the UK television industry.

- Enormous thanks to Andy for the video.

The Stanley Kubrick season on More4.

Published on July 20, 2008 in Channel 4 and Videos: Promos. 1 Comment Tags: , , .

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Last week Channel 4′s digital sibling More4 launched the Stanley Kubrick season, a ten day film festival of some of the celebrated directors work. This stunning promo was shot in one long take, and is a look behind the scences of Kubrick’s 1980 film The Shining, all from the perspective of the director himself.

The spot produced by Channel 4 Creative, was meticulously researched and was even shot using the directors favourite lens. Truly fitting for such a influential filmmaker.

British television seems to love the idea of programming “seasons”. More4 won an award for this promo used for their State of Russia season a few years back, and earlier this year BBC Four took its viewers on a trip into the Medieval mind.

Channel 4 goes live for a Honda advert.

Published on May 30, 2008 in Channel 4 and Videos: TV. 12 Comments Tags: , .

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A few hours ago Channel 4 broadcast what The Guardian is calling Britain’s first ever live commercial during a break in the reality show Come Dine With Me. The three minute ad came live from the skies above Spain and featured a team of professional skydivers demonstrating Honda’s latest tagline “Difficult Is Worth Doing”.

The live nature of television is one of its biggest redeeming features, and while this commercial is certainly full of the novelty factor, its an example of the innovation that not only the advertising industry will have to adopt, but also the whole television sector in general.

For more advertising fun check out a new show that started this week on ABC1 called The Gruen Transfer, a very funny and interesting look into the industry. Or just check out some of my favourite ads, here and here.

- Thanks for the video Craig

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