Referees' reports - 2011

Reports:

The author presents a study on the evolution of the use of virtual studios in television and their advantages. The article addresses the evolution of the virtual studio since its emergence in the 1990s, the importance of its technological development and the main uses made by public and private television channels.

The author highlights the fact that the emergence of this technology constituted a breakthrough, a great way to reduce travelling and set-construction costs, and a space of creativity that nonetheless has been hardly studied and exploited. The author highlights that the human and technical equipment necessary for the implementation of the virtual studio has been consolidated in all TV networks and that this equipment and technology has benefited the production of programmes dedicated to cover special events such as the six examples described in the article: The Eurovision Song Contest by the Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation (NRK) in 1996; the regional elections on Canal 9 in 2003; the Royal Wedding by TVE in 2004; and the elections special coverage by the BBC in 2005, 2008 and 2009. In each example, the author describes, among other things, the camera operation, the colours, structure, and resources of the virtual set, and the role of the presenter. Each case is accompanied by images.

A qualitative methodology is used to observe the movements and operation of the camera, the clothes of the presenters, and the other elements that integrate the virtual studio. However, the article would have been reinforced by the inclusion of a detailed description of the different variables of analysis and the methodology.

Reports on the article:

While this is a recent and growing reality, the subject of the article has been hardly addressed before. The structure of the text is ordered. In addition, the author highlights a very concrete reality: the economic advantages that the virtual studios represent for television networks. Although there is some abuse of the nominal style in the writing of the article, the comments about the technology and equipment as well as the terms used reflect that the author dominates the object of study, not only academically but also professionally. Finally, despite the fact that the title clearly indicates that the period of study is 1996-2009, the inclusion of a more recent example, from 2010, would enrich, update, and complete the analysis of the rapid evolution of the virtual television studio. In this regard, the coverage of the recent elections in Catalonia could provide material of interest. - Susana Herrera-Damas, Ph.D. - Department of Journalism and Audiovisual Communication - Carlos III University of Madrid, Spain

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