Soap's bold new look to debut on CBS Feb. 29, 2008
NEW YORK, Jan. 28 /PRNewswire/ -- Guiding Light, the Procter & Gamble
Productions soap opera that is the longest-running television show in
broadcast history, today announced its plans to take on a revolutionary new
production model. The production changes, which will take effect
immediately and begin airing on CBS on Feb. 29, 2008, will bring a modern,
more realistic look to the show, allowing viewers to be entertained by the
stories and characters they love in a more intimate way.
Guiding Light's new model will represent an end-to-end transformation
in the way the show is created, from direction to editing to scenic design.
Permanent sets inside the show's New York City studio will now feature four
walls and a ceiling and will increase in number from eight to forty,
allowing viewers to see much more of the fictional town of Springfield.
Handheld cameras will shoot the actors inside the sets and deliver a higher
level of realism and intimacy to the audience. In addition to the changes
inside the studio, the show has adopted the town of Peapack, NJ to shoot
all of its exterior scenes, which will total approximately 20% of
production -- an unprecedented amount for a contemporary daytime drama.
"Our new production model enables us to truly bring Springfield to life
for our viewers," said Executive Producer Ellen Wheeler. "Our fans want to
see more of our characters' lives -- from the houses they live in, to the
cars they drive, to the experiences they have in their everyday lives. The
changes will enable us to tell stories in a more intimate way, capturing
real moments and engaging the audience on a deeper level."
The bold move to modernize Guiding Light is the result of a yearlong
development process by the show's production team and Procter & Gamble
Productions, who in that time were experimenting with new methods and
technologies. The resulting new model will combine elements from film,
reality and daytime to deliver the more realistic feel for which Guiding
Light fans have asked.
In contrast to the handheld cameras and newly crafted four-wall sets
the old production model -- one pioneered by Procter & Gamble Productions
and Guiding Light in the 1950's -- featured three pedestal cameras that
shot the action from outside a proscenium wall. Location shooting was
limited to once or twice a year. More than 50 years later, this form still
dominates soap opera production.
Feb. 29 will also mark the re-launch of Guiding Light's website,
guidinglight.net. The interactive, video-rich site will showcase the new
look of Guiding Light, providing daily new content on the happenings of
Springfield's favorite residents. In addition, the site will feature a
robust community section, offering an engaging area that will foster a
stronger connection between the fans and the show, and an
interconnectedness between the fans themselves.
About Guiding Light
Guiding Light, holder of the Guinness World Record for being the
longest- running show in broadcast history, debuted on radio in 1937,
transitioned to television in 1952 and became the first television show to
podcast audio-only episodes in 2005. When it celebrated its 71st
anniversary on January 25, 2008, Guiding Light aired its 15,376th episode
on television and 17,836th episode overall.
Guiding Light is produced by Procter & Gamble Productions, Inc., the
company who put the "soap" in the soap opera business. The show tapes at
the CBS Broadcast Center in New York, NY and can be seen weekdays on the
CBS Television Network. (Check local listings.) For more information visit
http://www.guidinglight.net.
About Procter & Gamble Productions
Incorporated in 1949 as division of The Procter & Gamble Company [NYSE:
PG], PGP creates relationships between consumers and brands through
engaging content that is compelling, educational, and platform-neutral. PGP
has a history of developing original content that engages consumers through
storytelling using the latest technologies -- which began in the 1930s when
the company created soap operas on the radio, and evolved into television,
award shows, television specials, movies of the week, sitcoms, and most
recently into digital content that is relevant to the media habits and
passion points of today's consumers. Current PGP properties include soap
operas As The World Turns and Guiding Light, The People's Choice Awards,
Gillette World Sport, and original content websites such as Capessa and
Petside.com.
SOURCE Procter & Gamble Productions
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Related links:
http://www.guidinglight.net/
CONTACT:
Cristin Callaghan of PGP, +1-212-474-5808,
cristin.callaghan@televest.com
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