''Operationally this presented a number of technical difficulties" says project manager Dave Wyatt who stated that one of the major tasks was "figuring out a method to control the variable light levels outside relative to the lighting on the news set itself."
Rosco VIEW, a two-part window control system consisting of wide width polarizing panels installed on windows and a matching polarizing filter for the camera, ended up being the solution they chose to control the exposure of the external light as seen through the window. The scope of the project involved 30, custom-cut Rosco VIEW window panels, six Rosco VIEW motorised camera filters and a Rosco VIEW Graphic User Interface that allows the control room to rotate all of the camera filters remotely and 'dial-in' the exact window exposure they need at that exact moment.
London-based Scena Productions conceived, designed and installed a custom frame system to meet landlord requirements by avoiding any penetrations to the window mullions, which allowed the Rosco VIEW panels to be installed quickly and easily in front of the studio windows. A decorative strip that attached to the frames magnetically added the final touch which was to replicate the internal appearance of the windows.
Mike Sergeant concludes, "there is no doubt that Rosco VIEW enables us to balance the exposure of the 'outside world' backdrop relative to the studio set and we are delighted with the end result."
(Jim Evans)
