Best Set Design?

[arrowboy2003]

Hi folks, got a question for y'all.

Which WWTBAM set is the best? 

I don't know about anyone else but my final answer is definitely the French set. To me this is a perfect evolution from the original set design and I highly prefer it to the UK 2018 design which seems to be common place.



I'm also really fond of whenever Kaun Banega Crorepati does whatever with the set, in my opinion I really like it, looks very neat

[jaydenreidtv]

For me personally I love the original UK 1998-2001 set and the UK 2001-2010 set. It's the one I've always felt that was the most dramatic and has a special place in my heart. The best modern evolution of the classic design in my opinion has got to be the Polish 2017-current set. The lighting is brilliant, it's lovely to see that the old classic set design is still in use, with the plexiglass floor, but with modern elements such as the LED light rods in the dome, around the set etc...

The UK 2018 set design is great, but it lacks the dramatic lighting the old UK classic set used to have. For example, the only difference between tier 2 and 3 lighting, is the audience lights are completely off for tier 3. The set feels too dependant on the LED's around the set, not enough gobo moving heads action, they never change colour (apart from FFF read the question and the million win sequence), it's always in the white colour. They always fade from the floor rather than staying there and being a different colour.

There's a lot of detail I could go into, but it would probably make this message a massive paragraph haha! xD

[omran.dk]

For me, the best set is the French version from 2000-2014, why?

I think it has a bit more dramatic than the UK version (whether 1998-2001 or 2001-2010). From a lighting point of view, I think it hits better than the British version (whether at the entrance of the host, the light effects on the audience and on the luminous floor).

After all, I say that because I grew up with it, but I still tell myself that the whole of the French version was inspired by the British version of 1998 and 1999 (concerning the computer, the blue lights on the First 10 questions and the patterns of the 4 crane lights.

I would even say that of all the versions that I have seen and known for over 13 years. The set of the French version is one of the closest sets to the British version (at least from the origin)

[CycloneBoom]

Feb 28, 2023 22:40:16 GMT -5 jaydenreidtv said:

For me personally I love the original UK 1998-2001 set and the UK 2001-2010 set. It's the one I've always felt that was the most dramatic and has a special place in my heart.

I must agree here this fits with my own feelings, as much as having appreciation for other versions around the world. I think personally in my case it's a lot due to familiarity, with growing up in the UK here. This format is about the only version of the show which gets airtime (especially on the main TV channels).

One small detail I've always admired is during the intro sequence for this part:

 

Source of both these snapshots from this video (start 0:18), showing the 2004 UK intro.

How from the title sequence it blends the white zooming into the Millionaire logo. Then the moving head light is briefly shown into view for the transition, as the arm camera moves over to show the host (Chris Tarrant) walking in from the main entrance. Also I like the way the spotlights shine into the camera for the lens flare effect, combined with the flashing lights under the floor too. After the early few seasons, there were twinkling lights added under the translucent floor as well.

It's these small details which enhance the presentation of a set in a big way I feel.

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I was about to post just the above, but I've done a bit of searching, and I like the look of the the French set in particular.

Here's a couple of previews from a video which shows the 2014 set:

 

I must say, this looks magnifique!

They even use the light shining into the camera technique at the start, and it's clear to see how vibrant and it's a harmonious mix of modern and classical elements. Also the logo screen in the background still is prominent there, with the archways appearing wider. Having seen this design now, I'm more leaning towards what you guys think for the French set being an enhancement to the appearance of the UK original set. It's subtly developing on the style, then adding to it with the extra lighting fixtures. The pink is nicely contrasting too.

The great thing though is each set design can be appreciated in its own ways, and is one of the cool things about various iterations of Millionaire around the world. Each production team goes about it slightly different nowadays, whereas in the early days it was mostly a carbon copy from one set to the next.

[omran.dk]

Mar 1, 2023 20:47:29 GMT -5 CycloneBoom said:

Feb 28, 2023 22:40:16 GMT -5 jaydenreidtv said:

For me personally I love the original UK 1998-2001 set and the UK 2001-2010 set. It's the one I've always felt that was the most dramatic and has a special place in my heart.

I must agree here this fits with my own feelings, as much as having appreciation for other versions around the world. I think personally in my case it's a lot due to familiarity, with growing up in the UK here. This format is about the only version of the show which gets airtime (especially on the main TV channels).

One small detail I've always admired is during the intro sequence for this part:

 

Source of both these snapshots from this video (start 0:18), showing the 2004 UK intro.

How from the title sequence it blends the white zooming into the Millionaire logo. Then the moving head light is briefly shown into view for the transition, as the arm camera moves over to show the host (Chris Tarrant) walking in from the main entrance. Also I like the way the spotlights shine into the camera for the lens flare effect, combined with the flashing lights under the floor too. After the early few seasons, there were twinkling lights added under the translucent floor as well.

It's these small details which enhance the presentation of a set in a big way I feel.

These small details as you said are also in the French version, with the difference that it is a little bit centered on the entry of the host, as we see in the images which date from the beginning of the French version, 3 July 2000:

As you said about the flashing lights on the luminous floor (which I'll call diodes), it happened in 2003 for us, two years after the original UK version (2001).

To say that the French version always tries to be the most original, while trying to be close to the originel version.
After for once, we are not the brightest version, I think the lights record goes for the Dutch version of the time (1999-2006) preferably 2004.

I would like to comment on the fact that these last 5 years, I find that there is nothing more difference, let me explain myself briefly: basically, all the foreign ensembles are the same.

Since the advent of the return of the British version in 2018 and that of the Dutch version in 2019, there is more difference, and I find that regrettable. Only the French, German, Indian, Swedish versions have avoided the Dutch wave haha. This is from my personal point of view.

[arrowboy2003]

Yeah I also like to believe that the UK took a lot of inspiration from the entry of the host around 2010, in my opinion.



Also just found out that they used the UK & French studios for the Arab World, I can only imagine the travel bills.

Why not put it up at home?

[omran.dk]

As for the 2010 UK version, yes the French version had the idea for the animated logo and purple graphics (which is the second version of the rave graphics), but who however had the worst idea by removing the questions of speed (Fastest Finger First), which caused the French version to disappear from the screens for quite a while.

Regarding the Arabic version, if I can specify, it is that at the time the Emirati television company MBC had its head office in London, they must have said to themselves "instead of going to Morocco, Jordan or the U.A.E., we will go to a neutral country". And that the spectators could be people from the Arab community in Britain.

Problem, in May 2001, the British production decided to make the renovations. So the Arab production decided to turn to the French team because it was at the time what looked the most like the British version.

They could have continued to record in France again, but at the beginning of 2002, the Arab production decided to have their own studio (same as the British version of 1999) until 2004.

Now in 2023 to say globally versions, I tell myself that I regret the time, the golden age of Who wants to be a millionaire?, it was still a time unlike now I find.

[CycloneBoom]

Replying back to this point Jayden made...

Feb 28, 2023 22:40:16 GMT -5 jaydenreidtv said:

The UK 2018 set design is great, but it lacks the dramatic lighting the old UK classic set used to have. For example, the only difference between tier 2 and 3 lighting, is the audience lights are completely off for tier 3. The set feels too dependant on the LED's around the set, not enough gobo moving heads action, they never change colour (apart from FFF read the question and the million win sequence), it's always in the white colour. They always fade from the floor rather than staying there and being a different colour.

This is something which I've thought about too. I'm glad I'm not the only one who has this opinion. I do like the core aspects of the 2018 UK set design, and in ways it connects back to the original set. However I do agree there is a dominant reliance on the LED elements, especially the centre floor screen. This is something too which appears less prominent when in the audience understandably, because it's optimised for the cameras around the set. I think it could just have a bit more variance as you say between question tiers, as the actual lighting equipment is very capable of dynamic effects. Also perhaps the whole lighting could be more dramatic if darker on upper tier for £32,000+ questions.

One of the best aspects I believe is the Ask The Host lighting with the array of spotlights which shine on Jeremy's hot seat. It's a really cool effect, and making use of the haze smoke. It makes me wonder too whether the centre rig in the middle could have more of a use. Like in the old set design, there were the main moving heads attached to there for the Lights Down sequences, etc. Combined with the outer moving heads (there's about a dozen of them), that might add an extra dimension.

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Mar 3, 2023 9:01:35 GMT -5 omran.dk said:

As for the 2010 UK version, yes the French version had the idea for the animated logo and purple graphics (which is the second version of the rave graphics), but who however had the worst idea by removing the questions of speed (Fastest Finger First), which caused the French version to disappear from the screens for quite a while.
...

Yes, I agree with this as well. Fastest Finger First is an integral part of Millionaire, and it was a real shame to also see it removed from the UK version around the 2010 era. This was a by-product in many ways from the celebrity shows, where each contestant was prescribed when they played. It sure would've been interesting to see even celebrities take part in Fastest Finger as well. This I believe is a much fairer way to decide who plays, with equal opportunity to reach the hot seat for anyone.

Getting back to set designs though specifically...

It makes me think some sets represent key parts of the show more dramatically than others. I've always thought Fastest Finger was quite atmospheric with how the set turns a glowing red hue. However I believe Phone A Friend could have some set styling elements developed. Even the LED centre screen floor to include the countdown clock for instance, and maybe have the lighting change as the seconds tick down. I also think it'd be cool for an effect to emphasise when 50:50 is used, like a brief faded flash of ambient lighting possibly.

Perhaps there might be some versions of WWTBAM which already do things like that.

Do any of you have a favourite lighting scene within a set design?

I personally think the "lights down" sequences are always iconic and add so much to the show. Between each question, that was also oddly something which was stopped in the UK version when the clocked era began. Quite unusual really why that decision was made, as it only literally takes 3 seconds!

[omran.dk]

Concerning the light effects on the jokers, I think that recently the Swedish version made this kind of effect.

Regarding the "lights down", I have a preference to see my favorite and you will surely be surprised (for you British fans) but this is your "lights down 1998".
Because I like this version with the harp because it puts a little bit of spice when the 4 main lights descend on the luminous floor, towards the entrance of the animator.
Yet I did not understand why from series 2 the production changed this little musical detail which could rebound on a lot of versions and which I think was great.

[Reece | Lift Inspector]

My favourite sets of Who Wants To Be A Millionaire are the UK sets from 2004-2010, and the Super Millionaire set in the US as well.

[trevor]

For me:

All UK sets - The UK created the original Millionaire set, and set the standard for every other Millionaire set design. 2011 and especially 2018 are great ways to modernize the classic set.
France (2014-2016, 2019-2020) - Just awesome set design all around. The lights, the gobos, all beautiful. No wonder they kept it in the 2019 revival.
All Indian sets since 2013 - India never disappoints. The 2013 set is very interesting, since it doesn't follow the circular shape of all other sets. They all have incredibly beautiful lights and effects.
Poland (2017-) - Great evolution of the classic set what with its LED lighting.
Netherlands (2019-) - I love how it combines the classic set with elements of the 2018 UK set.
US (Super Millionaire, 2004) - Very epic lighting and effects all around; the presentation as a whole was perfect for a beefed-up version of the show.

[arrowboy2003]

Mar 4, 2023 12:57:48 GMT -5 CycloneBoom said:

---

Do any of you have a favourite lighting scene within a set design?

I personally think the "lights down" sequences are always iconic and add so much to the show. Between each question, that was also oddly something which was stopped in the UK version when the clocked era began. Quite unusual really why that decision was made, as it only literally takes 3 seconds!

   With regards to this question, I really love the 2010 Clocked lights for the UK, to me it made the show feel even more dark and disturbing but just as fantastic, and they appear to have adapted the darkness towards the 2018 set. 

Will agree about the over-reliance of LEDs though. I wish they kept the ring of fire. 

[greekmillionairefan]

Regarding the "lights down"effect, on the revived greek version, after Q10 the lights are steadily locked up. Although the "lights down" que is played after each correct answer, the spotlights aren't actually moving. Instead, the only optical effect that accompanies the "lights down" cue during the 3rd part of the money ladder is the "wiggling" of question mark signs on the video floor.I don't know if the same applies on other countries versions too, but I find it a bit annoying. It removes part of the dramatic atmosphere.

[omran.dk]

Mar 13, 2023 2:35:56 GMT -5 greekmillionairefan said:

Regarding the "lights down"effect, on the revived greek version, after Q10 the lights are steadily locked up. Although the "lights down" que is played after each correct answer, the spotlights aren't actually moving. Instead, the only optical effect that accompanies the "lights down" cue during the 3rd part of the money ladder is the "wiggling" of question mark signs on the video floor.I don't know if the same applies on other countries versions too, but I find it a bit annoying. It removes part of the dramatic atmosphere.

I think it's the same for the other versions that have adopted the 2018 style (I'm talking about studio and not graphics). I think the worst idea was to replace the luminous floor with a nightclub floor (I don't know what to call that sorry) and unfortunately that breaks the atmosphere. Because the advantage that there was with the luminous floors (I'm talking about the old versions of the time) is that there was a panoply of lights, the lights sometimes came on from each other. The lights could take on a different atmosphere, I think for your version at the time from 2001 with the light floor in turquoise from the 10th issue, for the versions produced by Endemol (Netherlands, Germany and Portugal) , the lights were slowly lighting up one and the other in different colors.

What is certain is that unfortunately since 2018, a lot of studios have looked like two drops of water from other studios, which from my point of view is extremely unfortunate.