Blog 3 - Understanding the design of a suite of television idents

In this task I will be explaining what a suite of idents is and why channels have suites rather than single idents. I will choose explain 4 idents of the BBC One channel.

Once a channel designs an ident, they create a suite of idents, where the channels design a bunch with a different layout from each other but idents the are linked all together and have the same key feature the links them. Channels do this because they want the audience to find the idents being more interesting and it allows the channel to match the appropriate content to s different show. Also just having one ident with the same theme will not be interesting, having a bunch of idents that are linked will be more interesting. The BBC One channel idents is a good example. Their ‘Circle suites ident’ which they created is where they have bunch of idents with different them and content but they all have the same key element, which is the circle. The first example of the circle idents is the ‘Windows’

Windows

This ident was created in 2006 with the other circle idents. The theme of the Windows ident is that one by one windows of a building start to flash and display a circle of flashing windows. The content of the ident is that is starts off with a flashing light, then we see people stating to open their windows and looking outside. Each people who opened their windows, it starts to flash and the people start to talk to each other. Than we have shots of different aged people like young men, old folks, children playing and workers. Last it goes to a shot of the whole building showing the flashing light forming a circle. This theme is suitable to the viewers as it has displayed the different age aged groups and has shown that it is family friendly. It creates a friendly, peaceful and happy tone to the audience. However the sound used in the ident was not very intriguing, as it gave the ident dull flashy atmosphere and let it done. The BBC might have used this theme in another ident by changing it up. The ident had not particular meaning to it, apart from it being used for keeping continuing flow of the channel by buying time for the next programme. Also it did not regard any information about upcoming programmes; it only was used for keeping the schedule on bay. By the looks of the ident, it was spouse to be placed around Saturday or Sunday morning, as it shows children playing out where a coat and it shows people opening their windows and the sun shining on the windows. Also it looks like the ident was used around September and October, as it shows that it is sunny by also windy, as children wearing their coats. This type of suite showed that the channel was all about bring the family together to watch BBC One programmes. The design of the ident was effective as it slowly represented the circle of the suite but the theme itself particular the sound could have been improved to make the ident more live than dull. The ident ran for 30 seconds which is a problem because it started get dull, it should have been cut down to make it less dull. Overall the ident is fully fit the circle suite but could have been improved to make the atmosphere more live.

Dog Display

The next ident that was created for the BBC One Circle suite is the Dog Display. The Dog Display ident was created in 2009 unlike the Windows ident. The theme of the Dog Display ident is that you see dogs running around then going in and out a circle, which represents the circle suite. The content of the ident is that is starts off with a dog barking at the other dogs, then on the next shot is shows dogs jumping in and out of a hoop while it is lit on fire. Then the dogs gather together and start to go in and out of polls that are formed as a circle. Last you see the dogs running around forming the circle. This theme is suitable to the viewers as it has displayed that it is family friendly because they are using dogs, which represent the pets that lots of family have and play with and creates friendly, peaceful and happy tone to the audience. So the theme is showing that the ident is for children and families. Also unlike the Windows ident, the sound used in this ident was appropriate to the content; and the viewers because the sound matches with the dogs have fun. Also because of the sound makes it looks like the dogs are on an action pact adventure.  The BBC might have used this theme in another ident by changing it up. The ident had not particular meaning to it, apart from it being used for keeping continuing flow of the channel by buying time for the next programme. But it could have meaning to because of the sound, it have given the idea that the next programme might be action pact adventure for the family. Also the ident did not regard any information about upcoming programmes; it only was used for keeping the schedule on bay. On the other clip is shows it informing the audience about what going to happen on the next programme. This ident looks like it was placed around the weekends through the day in the summery, as it shows clear sky and the sun it out, while the dogs playing around. This type of ident theme showed that the BBC One channel is all about bring the family together to watch BBC One programmes because of the fun, happy friendly environment. The design of the ident was effective as it slowly represented the circle of the suite. Also this ident had a happy atmosphere, which allowed the audience to not get board of it. The ident ran for 30 seconds but it had a shorter visions. Overall this ident is a success because the content, design, layout, sound and the theme was all suited for the BBC One audience.

Moon

The next ident that was created for the BBC One Circle suite is the Moon ident. The Moon ident was created in 2007 like the Windows ident. The theme of the Moon ident is that you see people sealing to the moon on the sea. The content of the ident is that is starts off with people sailing towards the moon with light lamps. Then it cuts to showing more people sealing towards the moon. After it goes back to show only two people on the boat, and have some saying something. Then  goes back to a wide shot showing multiple boats going near the moon, then it shows people putting a piece of the moon back on to it. Last it goes to a wide shot showing the boats the moon, then red lined come around the moon admitting it to be a circle, with the BBC One logo inside. This theme is suitable to the viewers as it has displayed that it is appropriate for the audience because it has shown the nice and quite content which is suitable for the time it had to be shown. Also the atmosphere of the ident is relaxing and peaceful, creating the affect that the rest of the programmes on the channel will be smooth, gentle peaceful and not like action or adventure. The sound used was also good as it helps relax the audience from the previous programmes. The BBC might have used this theme in another ident by changing it up. The ident had a particular meaning to it, as it was displaying the current time and what programmes that will be on at that time. Also apart from that, it is being used for keeping continuing flow of the channel by buying time for the next programme. But it could have meaning to because of the whole content, meaning it have given the idea that the next programme will be relaxing, peaceful and smooth because of the content shown to the audience. Also the ident did regard information about upcoming programmes what going happening in the country; it only was used for keeping the schedule on bay. This ident looks like it was placed around the night times throughout weekends and days because the content was placed around the night, but I cannot tell if it was on for all the months because it does not really show that much of the seasons. This type of ident theme showed that the BBC One channel can also provide relaxing, smooth and peaceful programmes for the audience that watch TV throughout the night. The design of the ident was effective as it showed the sky and the moon in beautiful potion, while people surrounding it. Also the sound was very helpful as it help continue the flow of the content and made the atmosphere realistic to the audience. At the end of the ident it showed the moon to be the circle which is the key element that links all the idents to make a suite. The ident ran for 30 seconds because it was provide information to the audience. Overall the Moon ident is a success because it has clearly demonstrated that the ident is appropriate for the audience and the programmes and have shown clearly that the ident part of a suite.

Day of the Doctor

The last ident that I will be talking about that the BBC One created for the suite is the ‘Day of the Doctor’ ident. The ‘Day of the Doctor’ ident was created in November 2013. The theme of the ‘Day of the Doctor’ ident is that there is mystery behind the symbol which is on the ground. It starts off with people mowing the grass, progressing mysteriously as everything goes backwards and ends of with a shot the Doctor. With the Doctor, he says “The Clocks ticking”, then everything goes forwards towards once more to the people mowing the grass in a fast pace. Last we end up with a bird’s eye view showing the connected symbol made by the people who are mowing the grass. This theme is suitable to the viewers as it has displayed that it is appropriate for the audience because it has not shown any inappropriate content and will intrigue the audience as it creates mystery, which is one of the types of programmes that BBC One airs. Also the ident cut out any bad content such as explicitness for the viewer. The content shown was created purposely to catch the audience’s attention and draw them into watching the programme, as everything about the ident creates mystery and adventure, which awaits the Doctor. The sound used creates a dark vibe to the ident. The BBC might have used this theme in another ident and changed it up for this one. For example, they may have used it to create the Sherlock Homes ident because the programme is of a similar theme. The ident had a psychological meaning, due to the display of a mystery message from the Doctor. Furthermore, it is being used for keeping continuity of the channel by buying time for the next programme. However, it could have meaning to it because of the overall content, meaning it would have  given the idea that the next programme will also be mystery, adventure, action and so it will be special because the BBC have created an ident specifically for the programme. The ident also regarded information about upcoming programmes, what’s going to happen and was used for keeping the schedule on time. The ident was shown at the specific time when children and parents came back from school and work. The ident was aired on the November 2013. This type of ident theme showed that the BBC One channel can also provide mystery, adventure, action and so on for the families that watch TV. The design of the ident was very effective as it showed the effect of time moving forwards and back to represent the Doctor, which is a time traveller. Also the sound was very helpful as it help continue the flow of the content and made the atmosphere realistic to the audience with the dark vibes. At the end of the ident it showed the connected symbol to be the circle which is the key element that links all the idents to make a suite. The ident ran for 36 seconds. Overall the ident was very affect as it make the genre which is mystery, adventure, action and sf appeal to a family audience and have shown that the ident part of a suite. 

Overall, when creating an ident, it is better to create suite of idents as it help the channel be recognised for the range of themes and design they have created and changed to meet the different audiences. Also all the BBC One suite of idents I have chosen have shown clearly that the ident part of a suite, by having them all end with a red circle because it is the signature colour of BBC One and the BBC One long in them. The design of the circle is really useful as it allows the ident to be lengthened or shorten to the time schedule. So for the for the Window ident, it would be shorten because the ident itself will bore the audience if it kept too long. So for it, the BBC could shorten the content down and lengthen the circle to meet the time schedule. For the Dog Display if there is an announcement about the next programme, then the BBC One would shorten the content lengthen the circle, so they can give the announcement. For the Moon ident it shows the BBC One giving an announcement about what happening next. If the BBC One did not have any announcement, then they would shorten the ident so they can move on to the next programme. This is because they will be saving time, as the ident was lengthened for the purpose of informing the audience. The Doctor Who ident could’ve been shortening, as the circle was little too long and kept the audience waiting as they are really won’t to watch the next show. So the BBC One could have shortened the ident, for the next programme. All the circles idents are very helpful to the channel as it will allow them change the time of the shows by lengthening and shorting the circle. Also the design of the circle is different from each other; to shows each ident is appealing to different audience or programme. In general have a unique key element in an ident help as it will link the idents to represent the whole channel.