🚨 It's here! 🚨
The (dare I say) ultimate behind the scenes tour into the greatest show:
#Eurovision
2024
🤫 How it was made - plus!
📺 Per Blankens on show producing
🎥 Robin Hofwander on directing
🎨 Sidney Lim on theme art
Ready, set... Malmö
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Some sterling coverage of Glastonbury atm: two massively different yet massive sounds on BBC One & Three
Wizkid looking particularly crispy with an incredible LED based set design. Gratuitous steadicam use + seeing them in main shots is pretty cool direction imo
Lots of commotion for the graphics, but these hosts straps are 😍
- Perfect 'strip' size
- Catchy animation that doesn't overpower
- Julia's name animating to the Ukrainian alphabet
Names alone suffices, but "Tonight's Hosts" is a nice touch, vs some years where..
🧵
#Eurovision
A masterpiece.
Let alone the breathtaking industrial bit with the Olympic rings 🥲😭
this intro bit with the build up through the tunnel gives me all the chills
With 5 days to Paris Olympic Opening, still think back at how the London 2012 Opening was simply magnificent.
Industrial Revolution segment one of the best British television moments of all time.
Here's a great BTS view of how the BBC, and Germany, Austria, Switzerland, France and Italy's channels opted into the
#Eurovision
network on Saturday night.
Biased-not-biased: the Beeb doing it right, but fascinating to see how else it was... handled!
2016: a
#Eurovision
year so good it didn't have (need) a graphics title card at the start 😂
The Te Deum intro straight into the rest of the countdown and fashion-show-flag-parade was masterstroke in modernising the contest. Felt unlike any year prior
A unique year - 🇬🇧🤝🇺🇦
Dubbed "The Greatest Show".
How did they do it?
Let's deep dive creative production style into
#Eurovision
'23!
👀 Staging behind the scenes
✨ Production secrets
📺 Ft. Head of Show Lee Smithurst & Dir. Nikki Parsons
& more!
➡️
We have (unless it changes in the next week) what looks like this year's scoreboard design...
Royal purple back as seen on the Allocation Draw, hot pink position markers a la 21 & 23 + full width flags.
By VXODESIGN (📷) running on CasparCG: co-created by V's owner
#Eurovision
On screen, it's something not seen since 2021, and that's S P A C E
Infact, it looks like it's taken inspo from then - very Florian Wider
Stage looks massive & expansive - obv for necessity 3y ago, but feels pleasantly airy and spacious now
#Eurovision
The camera direction has been stellar tonight at the
#CoronationConcert
Smooth steadi shots facing out from the performances view, the 2D cam 'flying' over the audience, but this below and all its variants throughout is just *goosebumps*
So, so good.
Moments that have united the nation
England in the latter stages of the Euros/World Cup
London 2012 (that summer? Magical)
Sam Ryder's success + then hosting
#Eurovision
the year after, per below
You really couldn't make it up 😅
Ireland and Sweden in the same semi
And on The One Show - the embodiment of both countries realising they're face to face
(and both former
#Eurovision
hosts, no less!)
Brilliant 😂
Well damn! 🤩
But also, this music! Full on bass face here
Also - I'd hazard a guess that the final few seconds/that sound effect may be the performance intro sound effect? Makes sense to have that motif from the theme
📹
@vDanDesign
#Eurovision
And with the crew moving into the arena, today marks the first day of
#Eurovision
technical rehearsals!
It's lucky number three for Head of Contest Twan van de Nieuwenhuijzen, reprising his role after R'dam 21 and Turin 22
Peppa Pig at
#Eurovision
! A recognisable global British export 😅
This is another thing that feels very Strictly inspired: a fun and random moment when voting is open
A lot (rightly) mention
#Eurovision
Dusseldorf 2011...
But, 2003 walked so 2024 could run
(Which also had a lot of Swedish manpower behind the production too 👀)
Accreditation? ✅
Thrilled to be on the ground to, once again, capture and present how they make the world's biggest live music entertainment TV show.
As the kids say, nu kör vi!
#Eurovision
Absolutely. Timeless, current, great production value boosted by the superb orchestra... easily one of the UK's best
#Eurovision
choices
Also God bless (SvenskTV?) who restored this 1998(!) footage to this jaw dropping quality.
Adds to that timeless energy in spades
Got 20 minutes and want to see how previous
#Eurovision
contests were made to whet your appetite for tonight?
Impress your mates with facts and figures with my BTS "How They Made..." guides!
Tech, cameras, lights, "broken" staging and more...
➡️
*rolling my eyes to the back of my head with such animation satisfaction* –
@erwrie
this is stunning!
The 'rules' by which it animates makes great sense, and is very well laid out.
A beautiful scoreboard rethink.
@thereorderboard
you'll like this!
It's come a long way in *checks notes* 23 years!
Here's some Big Brother production trivia when it started in the back in the new millennium...
Number 3 has some parallels to this new series!
#BBUK
#BigBrotherUK
Shot in the dark but I think I know what the 'big
#Eurovision
change is'
Complete guess so please don't quote me on this
An AR scoreboard, from that greenroom satellite stage, in mid-air above the audience
Points all moving around like in The Cube 👇🏾
👀
What is it about waist beads (West African ones in partic) that are so unapologetically sensual and divine and full of significance.. yet undeniably erotic?
Broadcast design nerds unite!
A small insight into how some broadcasters have branded their Olympics broadcasting, at this early stage: BBC, TVP and Eurosport 🧵
This one especially for that crystal clear appearance of Rail Alphabet 2, looking miles better than it's printed versions
Top info taking <1/4 of the space with hierarchy & colour working strongly
TfL versh could be concise yet still clear (Later Deps section does it right tho)
Luxembourg are back!
Every time I hear the country's name I hear it in the voice of the Maltese spokesperson of 1993* "Llllluuuxem-burrrrg" - followed by Sir Terry's laughing incredulous response 😂
(Interestingly enough their then last participation...)
#Eurovision
An idea I'm just jotting down here
A
#Eurovision
stream, but with commentary from tech/BTS/show production experts and enthusiasts
Like the usual pair of commentators, but with insight and 1st hand info from key show crew + creative directors of each perf
But... jazzy
🤔📝🤷♂️
Couldn't have said it better myself 😄
Never mind the performance, just the fact
#Eurovision
was UK hosted after so long and in such grand style.
(+ performing last? Icing on the cake)
Top 2 moments along with Sam Ryder bossing the scoreboard the year prior
Excitement Saturday…
Remembering when life as a UK
#Eurovision
fan peaked. And we didn’t even have to win it - 25 years of pent-up Eurofandom was released so loudly it interrupted the voting graphic.
Sending this energy to Malmö.
This moment of Duccio Forzano (1 of 2
#Eurovision
multi-cam directors this year) is just ✨magical✨
This is that undeniable Eurovision magic here, a sneaky view seeing it crafted in action. Goosebumps
His self-applause at the end is brilliant 😆
📷: duccioforzano IG
I think I may be of help 😊
I do massive creative production deep dives into shows including Eurovision!
Here's my 2021 episode, and check out my channel where there's other editions covered too!
➡️
There's so much Eurovision media but something that still feels really undercovered is production & logistics. I want detailed explanations of what the camera guys do. Behind the scenes photos with the lighting techs. Breakdowns of how the camera angles are chosen and programmed
Something the BBC feed's done well is credit the local team during the broadcasts, and a well used spot where sponsorships are shown provides a seamless opportunity to do this
Delightful. 👏🏾 cc
@Stephen_Neal
Stunning points re the stage:
- central back doors move FAST. Can be controlled semi-indp to squeeze in kit (a la Malta)
- loads of moving light rigs: from the ring & clusters around it
- lighting design is 🔥. So much detail
- there's 4x rail cams, front is split
#Eurovision
Loving RAI's determination to be early this year compared with last 😂 - offering viewers a rare and unique view into the arena pre TX
BBC's hold for a few then graceful fade through black >>>>>>
Feels like a nice grounded finite ending before handing you off
#Eurovision
What on earth is Michael Ben David doing?!
Beyond cringing in my seat. Broadcast wise, interrupting the show like that can cause a lot of trouble
On top of the alleged concerning reports in rehearsals.
Hosts doing a golden job trying to ignore him while all smiles
#Eurovision
...where the addition of overly obvious text is jarring.
Some examples of an otherwise fantastic decade and a bit: '21 & '19 were perfect; '13 is so simple and satisfying
The last from 2012 an example of how not to do it imo
#Eurovision
The
#Eurovision
stage!
It's so pretty! And our first 3D renderings of the theme art as/on the stage graphics, very Rotterdam 2021
The line graphics surrounding the green room is very Netflix, iykwim
📷 BBC
Florian Wieder is BACK after 2y!
Tech I can (sort of) see:
- transparent LED panels (like 07 & 21)
- grids of heads like '16, just now pointing down
- the Xytlos lights, like '21
& no in-arena grn room, for max space
Getting major MTV EMA/VMA energy... I love it!
#Eurovision
Ok, alright.
I think this is where, despite the large type, the lighting design is to speak for itself
Goes with the type-heavy design present this year, if not quite literally.
Maximal minimalism.
It's no 13 or 16; maybe an evolution of 23?
I feel a thread coming on...
🎵📺 Behind the songs is a mammoth TV production.
Let's go behind the scenes with my guides into making
#Eurovision
(yes incl 98!)
Facts, figures, tech, howdidtheydothat moments, crew interviews + more!
Get geeked & clued up ahead of Liverpool 😎
Here ➡️
Frankie says relax
Fernand says... whataclimax
25 years to the day since the last contest in the UK was broadcast.
Audience preview shows done, it all counts tonight - time for telly watchers of the world (and me) to h'enjoy!
#Eurovision
Massive fan of the design of this year's
#Eurovision
signal display screens, a +1 from last year for example. (& wrong BBC blocks 😖)
Need to understand this year's design language though, the 'rules' behind the modularity + how it works... seems random but likely isn't 🤔
@RejiYates
@Airbnb
@easyJet
@British_Airways
Recently did a 20+ deep trip to Dubai over 10 days; all came at staggered times over 2 days but mostly on Emirates and BA. Popular location but made better when rolling in a big batch, a top recco!
(personalised water flasks because Dubai heat is mwad, minus 3 that came later)
So! With news the BBC could host
#Eurovision
2023, here's a cheeky retrospective to when we last hosted... 24 years ago!
A very different time, but set many standards still in use today. Plus an insight into the UK's hosting record...
Ep here!➡️
Appreciating the subtleties in the opening titles.
From the obvious: with the nod to txt spk dayz of '04, and how it turns to a ghostly deadly pale in the final ep,
But also when it animates out, U is highlighted first before 'YOU' fully gets erased...
#IMayDestroyYou
Riding the wave of the UK's
#Eurovision
renaissance, it's a big name to take things further that seems quite fitting.
Add the song reveal when it comes, his stage presence and current relevance, hopefully this will be another high left-side table finish...
A few more yes-yes-yes-meh's, a shame as 2009 had some sterling graphics that year.
- '16: the 'and' sounding more human
- '14: A1 graphics, and their Tw handles a nice touch
- '10: simplicity is key! Where just text and a flowy anim just works
- '09: overly obvious
#Eurovision
🇬🇧 effffortless vocal. Infact, he's proper giving it EVERYTHING.
He's having fun here, relaxed and having a great time. His "Ooooooh YEAH!"s are brilliant 😆
Dare I say, a winner worthy performance...! Come thru Saturday!
#Eurovision
This is brilliant 😂
When SVT have the dramatic live TV reveal down to an art, albeit Mellofesti-Eurovision-fied – that it works so well for election results 🤣
And, reportedly (need to verify this) had a Eurovision director on this too
We love a multi-genre crossover 😂
So, 4 July 2024.
The next day, the BBC will be covering the election results, the Euro 2024 quarter finals and Wimbledon.
Pack some extra batteries, OB vans... ⚡
My
#Eurovision
breakdown is coming soon - until then...
♥️ Eurovision?
♥️ design?
You'll love this!
I teamed up with design guru & legend Linus Boman to talk all things Eurovision logo and design - from the stars of the 50s to the present day!
⬇️
Bright, soft and vibrant - we're going Neon Northern Lights for next year's
#Eurovision
!
And the return of a classic: Avant Garde ITC (w/ maybe a modified versh as seen in the text for the dates @ upper right)
Can imagine will look 🔥 on print, curious to see on-screen usage...
One of many specialised cameras from Ukrainian supplier Opertec, back again this year - the famous
#Eurovision
drop cam as seen in 2016 & 17.
🎥 hfwndr (IG)
And yep, everything they've said about the
#Eurovision
stage and it's set up is stunning.
Immersive yet intimate, grand yet not imposing.
Postcards and show graphics are crisp! A joy to to watch - and it's definitely bye bye Gotham (and not just Penny Lane)
I hope, like
#Eurovision
2021, the central doors are used to 'welcome' in the winners back on to the stage
That year had this segment perfectly produced, vs previous years (where it's always a bit of a scramble).
A thrilling moment... 🧵
Theee legend that is
@Cherylbaker
!
As close as I can get to this
#Eurovision
legend while staying safe ofc - though it's probably rather more my starstruckness 😅
Had to step away for a second but back to see Spain to the stage... yyyyyyoooooo the crowd singing along!
And the constant roar over her dance break. Wow.
The crowd: cat
Chanel: saucer of milk
The crowd: lapping every single drop
#Eurovision
This. 2008 was just masterful and ridic impressive, 2012 was just undeniably Bri'ish and felt very current.
London's opening ceremony still gives me major goosebumps and a slyly teary eye
2023 was actually a pretty mental year for live TV productions.
King's Coronation. Eurovision. Super Bowl Halftime Show. FIFA Women's World Cup. Strictly. Glastonbury. Even Beyoncé's Renaissance Tour (you'll see why)
Let's rewind at the year that was!
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More looks into
#Eurovision
entrance graphics...
Likes:
- text following the shape of the heart
- the greenroom lights up in the flag! Nice animation out
- 3 letter codes (bye hashtags) seem to be the final frame of the gfx
- satisfying lights out sound
- anim style into the bug
@rufarochisango_
@RejiYates
Absolutely abhorrent, and given you being the only one on your floor, this appears to be no mistake nor 'banter' as it may be spun. Hoping they get kicked out & investigated by police for this
It is quite nice, very on brand for TfL with dark text on light (vs usual light on dark at NR stations) - but the layout on the 'cards' could be better imo, space needlessly taken up
Below is way better imo:
L being beautifully minimalist (and RA2 font)
R for the ✋&🚶♂️➡️ uses
Also, some fantastic iterations of the dynamic LA28 branding with the ever changing A
The French/US flags versh on the main stage is a very nice, and equally apt touch
#ClosingCeremony
From accreditation dreams (and great After Effects tracking, if I say so myself) to reality!
Happy days and feeling very grateful. Let's get production nerdy
#Eurovision
style
Farah's just lovely isn't she!
And those graphics! Lovely to see! Those transitions are tip top too, along with the sound effect like a gentle feather face tickle 😄
If there's anything SVT are great at it's their sound effects within their branding. 13 & 16 esp 👌🏾
#Eurovision
With the changing type year to year, and some taking inspo from where it came from...
What if Eurovision's graphics next year goes Helvetica - in the land where it originated? 🇨🇭
May go over many heads with how 'boring' it is, but a correct kern + layout can look stylish...