This document discusses conventions for television idents based on research of existing idents. It finds that sound plays a secondary role to images, with only non-diegetic sound used. Ident images are typically random and unrelated, except for the BBC which uses a circle pattern. Logos are subtly incorporated and match the ident's color scheme. Idents aim to set a relaxing tone through minimal sound and simple, high quality visuals without excessive branding or text.

1. Real Media Conventions
S
of Idents
Olly Quilt

2. From my research based on the
website I found, I have come up with a set of real
media conventions for television idents.
The first thing I have noticed is that sound does not play a
big part in the idents. Any sound included plays a secondary
role to the images on screen. Only non-diagetic sound is
used which makes the ident flow smoothly.

3. S If diagetic sound was
used this could make the
idents seem 'clunky'
which would be
unnecessary. There is
also the voiceover for the
presenter to announce
the next channel which
has to be taken into
consideration, so noise
from the mise en scene
has to be kept to a
minimum. If there was
too much noise, then the
announcer may not be
heard clearly making the
whole ident become
meaningless.

4. Another feature of all idents is that the images
shown are all completely random and have
no connection with each other.
S The only exception made is that for BBC idents they all follow a circle pattern,
as this is the trademark that the BBC use to make it stand out as their channel.
S For example on ITV idents range from a speed boat to a boxer fighting, all idents are
not specific to one general tone or meaning, they all have different tones set
for different parts of the day or seasons.
S However, Sky One and Sky Sports HD idents do have relation to the channel. These
specific channels use programs on those channels to create idents.
S For example, Sky One has an idents which is based around Bart Simpson and Sky Sports
HD has an ident based around current Barclays Premier League champions Manchester
City lifting the league trophy.

5. Logos
S Each channel logo fits in with the
colour scheme of the ident, apart
from BBC which follows the same
scheme every ident with a red
circle surrounding the white logo.
S This is also not the case for Sky
One which sticks to its blue
colouring, making it stand out
from the background.
S Each ident, whether it be on the
mainstream channels: BBC, ITV,
Channel 4 or Channel 5, are all
surprisingly subtle when it
comes to advertising their
channel logo.
S No channel out of the four
shows largely splats their name
branding all over the indents
(although you could argue that
Channel 4's indents are entirely
based on making a giant 4 out of
different objects/scenarios).

6. Also, mainly on ITV,
all idents are filmed
mainly in slow motion
and with a theatrical
effect.
This almost reflects on the fact
that ITV shows dramas as
each ident is filmed in movie-standard
quality. However, this
trait isn't just relevant to ITV
as all idents are filmed in a
very high quality.

7. To conclude, idents tend to set a relaxing tone,
they do this with as little diegetic sound as
possible, with some non-diegetic sound if needed.
S Also, idents only show the television channel logo in a subtle
way, with the colour scheme of the logo either blending with the
colours of the mise en scene.
S It is also possible to keep the colours of the logo the same to
make it stand out, but the logo would have to be smaller
otherwise it would not fit in with the tone of the ident.
S All idents are filmed in very clear and crisp high quality and are
kept simple with no text or anything else that would make it
'clunky'.