Eastenders - Set to be rebuilt for HDTV

Post by **faceless** » Sat Dec 22, 2007 1:45 pm

New soap set gets definition
By Suruchi Sharma
www.borehamwoodtimes.co.uk

Plans to re-build the set of the BBC soap EastEnders are being considered in preparation for new digital television technology. Proposals for the Clarendon Road site, in Borehamwood, are to be considered as viewers are increasingly switching to high-definition (HD) televisions sets.

Although only a small number of BBC programmes are currently made with HD technology, the corporation confirmed last month that HD trial programmes would be screened in 2008. HD screens have more pixels making up the picture for sharper definition. The studio sets at the EastEnders site will have to be upgraded as the camera will now pick up details on backgrounds made of wood and paint.

The re-building of the set hinges on whether the BBC decides to move from the site altogether, possibly to Pinewood film studios in Buckinghamshire. In October, the corporation insisted no final decision had been made for EastEnders to leave its Borehamwood home, despite contrary reports in the national press. A BBC spokesman said: "There are many factors to making a programme in HD, including the more detailed appearance of sets for viewers. However, several options are being considered, and no final decision has been made about a future site of EastEnders."

The set was bought by the BBC in the 1980s and carries historical significance as it was the first studio site to be built in Borehamwood in 1914.

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Post by **Skylace** » Sat Dec 22, 2007 3:27 pm

Interesting news indeed. It will be something to see what they do with the set and where they go from here.

6ULDV8 · Post by **6ULDV8** » Sat Dec 22, 2007 4:40 pm

As I mentioned once or twice...
I had worked on the set pre EE's first airing & a fair bit has changed from what I see on the show nowdays, but there is still a good 80% or more that is still original from day one.
(well with a lick of paint here & there)

It'd take a fair bit of a re-dressing for the outdoor scenes around the square, most interiors should pass the HD grade.

Post by **eefanincan** » Sat Dec 22, 2007 7:30 pm

I hope that if they end up redoing the sets, they just don't "redecorate" everyone's flat, etc. Better picture quality is fine, but there's a certain "look" that EE has and I'd hate for them to lose it all at once.

6ULDV8 · Post by **6ULDV8** » Sat Dec 22, 2007 9:29 pm

eefanincan wrote:I hope that if they end up redoing the sets, they just don't "redecorate" everyone's flat, etc. Better picture quality is fine, but there's a certain "look" that EE has and I'd hate for them to lose it all at once.

As I mentioned above, most of, if not all the interior sets would pass the grade, it's the outdoor stuff that would need a fair deal of attention.
A vast majority of the squares homes that are seen from the exterior are just "Fronts" & the further away from the square they are, the less detail is used to dress them...
This goes for many of the Shop & buis' fronts too...

The interiors would just appear more realistic (read that as bland & full of cheap crap) for the best part... more in tune with real life low income east end homes that have ducks on the wall etc...

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(After Edit)

Now if they were attempting to do something a bit more grandure, akin to the sets of the old Dallas series or that other with the carringtons (Dynasty?), then yup... total new sets & new props...

But eastenders is more true to life, down to earth & deserves to look 'grubby'... anything else would detract from the pseudo realism of the show.

Post by **eefanincan** » Sun Dec 23, 2007 4:04 am

6ULDV8 wrote:But eastenders is more true to life, down to earth & deserves to look 'grubby'... anything else would detract from the pseudo realism of the show.

That's my point. I would hate for every to suddenly have new decor for the sake of HD.

Post by **faceless** » Mon Feb 18, 2008 5:34 pm

BBC to rebuild and relocate Eastenders set

18 February, 2008
By Sarah Richardson
www.building.co.uk

The BBC is planning to relocate the Eastenders set because poor renovations to the original will not stand up to the scrutiny of high definition television. Reports suggest that BBC bosses have recommended moving Albert Square from Elstree to Pinewood to spare confronting the viewer with shabby repairs including repeated taping and painting over joins, and damage, dirt and scuff marks.

The new set would be constructed from real bricks and concrete, rather than the fake scenery which makes up the current Square. The set, never designed as a permanent fixture, has had to have a series of renovations over recent years, often carried out at night to avoid clashing with filming schedules.

Other potential new homes for the Queen Vic and its surroundings include studios in Bristol, Cardiff and Belfast.

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I posted this update because it's the first I've heard of them considering other locations to film it in. I reckon there'd be uproar if they filmed it in Wales or NI though!

Lostinthestates · Post by **Lostinthestates** » Mon Feb 18, 2008 7:35 pm

If they did move it to Cardiff or Belfast at least it would result in more rainy and miserable episodes at least weather wise

Post by **eefanincan** » Mon Feb 18, 2008 10:31 pm

That would be a job and a half to move that set...... or at least rebuild it somewhere. I can't begin to imagine the continuity issues --- well, at least if they have a boring story line we can all watch for continuity errors.

SpursFan1902 · Post by **SpursFan1902** » Tue Feb 19, 2008 1:16 am

We love to look at the background stuff in people's houses! It will make it more interesting, to say the least, if we don't have to pause anymore to try to figure out what is on a shelf or what a poster says. As far as them moving, it should prove to be interesting....