Author: John Beohm

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Videos: Idents

Please don’t Telstra. Oh crap, you already did.

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France Télécom, the parent company of telco Orange, recently entered the world of film, with the launch of its own production company Studio 37.

Studio branding has always interested me, and although Studio 37 is far more subtle than the big studios, this beautifully crafted spot by French agency Moustache is 20 seconds of self described “movie clichés” all done without over emphasisng the fact that its owned by a mobile phone company.

Unfortunately for Australian’s though, our largest telecommunications provider Telstra, has also just revealed that its getting into the movie business, by turning a horrible series of ads into a film.

Telstra: 1. Progression of Australian film industry: 0.

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Channel Five Videos: Idents

We are Five.. four, three, two, one. Relaunch.

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For the first time in six years, Five is giving itself a rebrand. The new look network has dropped the lower case type, and replaced it with a logo that’s just a little reminiscent of way BBC One do things.

Coming on-air for the first time last night, the look isn’t the only thing to change, with a new approach to promotions and ad breaks also coming into effect.

While the new look is just as slick as any other UK network, it manages to lack some the unity of other network idents, and although I’ve only seen this selection, I’m pretty confused as to what its all meant to mean, if anything.

For me though, Channel Five are going to have a hard time topping this.

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American TV Videos: TV

Kath and Kim: Australia v America.

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Comparing the opening titles of the original Kath and Kim to the American remake, its clear this isn’t going to be a line-for-line remake. Most importantly though, for the millions of American’s who will meet Kath and Kim for the first time this Thursday on NBC, I think they might just enjoy themselves.

The pilot made its pre-air debut on iTunes not long ago. All you need to do to download a copy if you’re outside of the States, is get yourself an iTunes account.

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Web Asides

Leaked Simpsons clip: Homer votes Obama.

Leaked video: Homer votes Obama.

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SBS Videos: Top Gear

The first two minutes of Top Gear Australia.

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We’ve been promised a distinctively Australian version of Top Gear, so far though it resembles a distinctively franchised version of “regular” Top Gear.

As with the British version of the show, they’ve used the beginning of the first episode to tease us with what’s in the season ahead, which should give you a good idea of what kind of show we’re in for. As always, judge for yourself.

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Sky (UK) Videos: Idents

All new Sky Three idents. Plus the gist of what the new Sky One and Sky Two pretty much look like.

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Sky One, Two and Three launched a revamped look in the UK last month. All three networks now share the same set of idents, with just the colours and giant animated numbers setting them apart.

Each network is also embracing a “theme” in their design; solids, liquids and particles, with Sky Three taking on the latter. The new branding is a shift in the right direction, away from the old entirely CGI approach.

Have a look at the solids of Sky One, and the liquid Sky Two variations as well.

– Big thanks to Andrew for sharing.

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Videos: Promos Videos: Top Gear

Top Gear Australia starts September 29th.

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As television readies itself to enter an alternate universe, where Kath and Kim is acted by Americans, and Top Gear is hosted by Australians, the folks at SBS are prepping for one of the biggest launches in their history.

Top Gear Australia will be the first international version of the show, and makes its premiere September 29th. The new series is being referred to as “very Australian” by anyone who’s caught a glimpse. And good or bad, it should be interesting to watch, if for no other reason then to say how it can never stand up to the original…

Just like everyone does with The Office.

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Web Asides

And the 2008 Primetime Emmy Award for Main Title Design goes to..

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American TV Videos: Openings

From the makers of Six Feet Under: True Blood.

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True Blood is the latest creation from Alan Ball, the creator of Six Feet Under and American Beauty screenwriter. Just like Six Feet Under, the main titles for True Blood have been designed by Digital Kitchen, who also did the opener for Dexter.

The high concept premise behind True Blood revolves around the co-existence of vampires and humans in the southern US state of Louisiana. And from the pilot episode at least, it appears Ball intends to draw on vampires and their recent “outing” into mainstream society as an allegory for the struggle to achieve homosexual rights, racial equality and acceptance.

The gritty and compelling opening sequence, accompanied by the track Bad Things by Jace Everett, even goes so far to feature a sign saying “God Hates Fangs”, an obvious play on the famous protest signs of the Westboro Baptist Church.

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American TV Videos: TV

Homer Simpson gets a colonoscopy (for charity).

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In a rare show of solidarity, three of the big commercial networks in the US dedicated an hour of commercial free programming to broadcast the Stand Up 2 Cancer telethon. With the usual mix of serious appeal and humour, the highlight of the night was Homer Simpson’s fantastic voyage into his own colon.

NBC, ABC and CBS simulcast the event Friday night with all money raised going to the translational cancer research, which “encourages scientists to collaborate rather than compete, translating basic science into applicable therapies for patients.”