Scottish Parliament scores virtual first

The Scottish Parliament is set to begin broadcasts next week from their virtual newsroom – provided by Metro.
On May 27, and for the first time in the history of a Scottish legislature, the parliament will move to Aberdeen for a week. While in its temporary home, the parliament will use the virtual studio technology, installed and operated by Metro Ecosse.
Using For-A’s state-of-the-art digiWarp-EX technology, Metro Ecosse has created a virtual parliamentary newsroom from which material will be webcast on the parliament’s website at www.scottishparliamentlive.com
The virtual studio will provide a modern news setting for a variety of interviews and features. It will also incorporate a video screen depicting a virtual image of the parliament’s new Holyrood site, which is currently under construction. There will also be a computer-generated image of the interior of the new building, from which the presenter can continue studio-based interviews. Footage will also be created of a Virtual Planned Parliament Chamber, allowing people to see how the parliament will look. This footage will be available for use in future virtual studio projects.
Alan Smart, Head of Broadcast at the Scottish parliament, said: “We are anxious to harness the power of the latest technologies and the virtual studio is a prime example of this.”
Oscar Askin, Metro Ecosse Director, said: “Metro Ecosse has worked with the Scottish parliament for the past 12 months and we have always found them to be open to new ideas. Bringing virtual studio technology to the parliament is an exciting innovation and we are delighted to be involved with such a groundbreaking project.”
Virtual studio technology differs from traditional blue screen or chroma-key technology because it places the virtual scenery in front of as well as behind the presenter, allowing him or her to move around the scenery and to interact with it. Further, it does not require the camera to be locked off and the camera operator can also move around and shoot from multiple angles.
Metro Ecosse is the approved supplier of audiovisual equipment to the Scottish parliament and is the trading name of Metro Broadcast Ltd in Scotland. Metro Broadcast Ltd is a wholly owned subsidiary of WPP Group plc, the world’s leading communications services company, with around 1,400 offices in over 100 countries.
Metro Ecosse, www.metrobroadcast.com
Scottish Parliament, www.scottish.parliament.uk
(GMcG)