The screen was used as the main backdrop to the outdoor stage for the finale, beaming live pictures of the housemates out to the awaiting audience. The structure was supplied by Elstree Light & Power. The show's production staff - and director Tony Gregory - commented that the screen delivered the best transmission they had experienced on any of the finales to date. Earlier, Screenco had provided a 3.06m wide x 2.28m high display, designed in a 3x3 concave configuration for the duration of the show in George Lucas Stage 1. The display marked a breakthrough in that it was the first time a big LED screen has been incorporated into the show.
The LED screen had been requested specifically by Tony Gregory for the fourth series of the reality TV programme. He explained that he wanted to move the style of presentation forward. "In the past we had used old-fashioned video cube technology but I felt there needed to be a more imposing presence in the sound stage area - particularly for the eviction day on Friday. The LED display has created a real focal point."
The 3x3 geometric had been designed as three separate columns, which were manually tracked. The centre column moved upwards to reveal presenter, Davina McCall, as the flanking columns tracked outwards.The screen provided a giant 'live' backdrop. The director observed that the Lighthouse screen delivered an especially powerful image on the wide shots. "It was everything I had hoped for, and the Channel 4 executives were thrilled." He had no hesitation in approaching Screenco to provide the LED solution. "Their technical back-up is superb - I could present them with creative problems which they would solve straight away."
CT Screenco's Adrian Offord commented: "We were excited about using the new Lighthouse technology; given the viewing distance, the resolution of the16mm LED screen presented the ideal solution. It read very well to camera."
(Lee Baldock)
