Coronation Street Trip

Corination Street Trip

Coronation Street Trip Conclusion

On Friday 1st December 2017, as a class of 10, we attended the set of coronation street, based at the ITV Granada Studios in Manchester. This was an opportunity for  us to see outside of our own studio and see how art and design can manipulated in many different ways that what we are used to seeing, it was also a great way of us being exposed into an environment that not many people will have the experience of going to and seeing first hand.

We were guided around the studio by, Carolyn, not only was it a day out for us but it also allowed her to have a break from her duty and show us around. To start with, we were taken to the Studio 5 and 6 sets where we was able to see all of the different environments that have been created and how they were all so opposite but fit well next to each other. It was interesting to see all the different perspectives that you just wouldn't see if you were viewing through a screen, it was a real eye opener to how a sight angle mistake on the camera could reveal a whole studio of other enclosures.

During this time we were given an exclusive look at a set that hasn't been revealed yet and has only just finished being produced by the design team lead by Chris. It was very interesting to see how a fake wall could look so realistic and that was due to the scenic artists being able to create that affect. What interested me the most was that how small the area actually is and how compact it is however when you look at it on the screen, it looks so much larger and like an actually environment.

We were then taken down the Main Street set where we were able to actually go into the buildings and see the difference to what we believe would be there. Behind the walls of all the houses where just empty sets with a minimum dress to create the effect as if something is actually in the building. As we were walking along the street it was interesting seeing how much art and design actually goes into create each and every brick, tile, wire etc.

At this point we then sat down and had a meeting with Set Designer Chris, Carolyn and Construction leader Keith. This was interesting as we had an insight on what it takes to make a single set, all of the plans, the preparation and the costs of doing it all. I was very fascinated by how much it all takes just to make a set which will get ripped back down after a couple of days of filming. I found this meeting very educational as I was totally oblivious to everything that actually went into just making a tiny room that you will only probably see for 30 seconds in 1 episode and it was fascinating hearing about all of the dedication that they put towards that and being proud of doing it even if it is only a small piece of the episode.

After this point Chris himself took us back to the "Lap Dance" set however put the lightning and set the scene as if it would look when they are filming, this was very interesting to see as everything became more alive once he had set the scene, it actually felt like we were in that scenario and we were apart of that building.

Chris then took us down to the prop storage unit where we were able to see all the props that have been ever used in the coronation sets, even all the props ever used by each individual character, it was interesting to see how 50 years worth of props had been kept aside incase they ever needed to be reused, it honesty felt like walking through a colossal antique shop. There where so many vintage items that I just loved seeing as each individual item had its own vibe and story behind it.

After this, we were taken over to Keith's workshop where we met Rosie, whilst we were there, we were shown models and plans that it takes to create a set and we were given advice and guidance on how we can use this in our own work especially in our 3D work. We had a first hand look on how the sets where being made and all the paint work and design that went into each of the sets.

Overall, I enjoyed this trip very much as it was a total eye opener to all of the work that actually goes on behind the scenes, it's not always just about the actors. It was interesting to see all the work and get insights on things most people don't even know about yet. I will defiantly use some of these techniques that we were shown in the future when it comes to 3D work as I can see how to all works and comes together to create a final outcome.