The show was recorded in Studio 1 of London Studios in Waterloo, central London in front of a live audience of 400, with a set design by Joshua Grace who specified the starcloth.
"We wanted the familiar, cosy feel of a starcloth background, something festive and Christmassy - and a little camp!" he explained, and the S+H ShowLED RGB product met all criteria with a flourish of style.
Having the cloth colour changing and twinkling brought that special touch of "perfect LE (light entertainment) Christmas magic" to the show commented Joshua. It gave the production team additional flexibility to create different looks and treatments throughout the programme in which contestants and celebrities have to fill in missing words.
Joshua was brought on-board to create a completely new set design by the executive producers, however he also wanted to blend in some retro elements threading back to the original series - which launched in the UK in 1979 - with something that was totally modern looking.
It had to look very 2016, but have some of the tone and geography of the original series and also look "classy and timeless" as a fun family show he further elucidates.
The starcloth was controlled via the lighting console under the direction of LD Chris Kempton.
"It's one of those universally in-demand, fashionable and ever-dynamic products," says S+H's Terry Murtha. The Ilfracombe, Devon based company sent a crew to rig the cloth. "It's always a pleasure to have their team in the studio," says Joshua.
The Blankety Blank 2016 Christmas special executive producers were Suzy Lamb and Tim Dean, the series producer was Anna Meadows and it was directed by Toby Baker, proving a big success.
The run up to Christmas was hectic with various TV shows including Strictly Come Dancing, designed by Patrick Doherty, with 2016 marking 10 years of working relationships between S+H and the top rated BBC series. They also delivered 300sq.m of ShowLED LED animation cloth to the BBC's 2016 Children In Need appeal telethon, broadcast from BBC Centre Elstree, specified by designer Dominic Tolfts.
(Jim Evans)
