P R E S S R E L E A S E - 26 JANUARY 2011
IONOCO CREATES INNOVATIVE TECH SOLUTION FOR ENDEMOL USA FOR NEW VERSION OF 1 VS. 100
International broadcast technology company ionoco today announced it has devised an innovative new technology solution for the popular game show 1 vs. 100 for Endemol USA. The series, hosted by Dancing with the Stars’ Carrie Ann Inaba, airs on GSN (Game Show Network) in the United States.
1 vs. 100 pits one player (The One) against 100 other people (The Mob), in a contest to answer general knowledge questions to win a cash prize. The format, which has been sold to more than 30 countries worldwide, traditionally puts The Mob in an expensive studio set. However ionoco has created a unique virtual solution, meaning The Mob is displayed on a giant 3D video wall.
In this new version The Mob answers the independently-selected questions and ionoco uses its bespoke computer system to record a range of reactions and emotions from each Mob player, such as thinking, answering a question, cheering, clapping or booing. ionoco’s system then loads these video sequences – up to 1000 potential clips – and simultaneously plays out 100 on cue in real time, selecting the most appropriate clips for the stage of the game and allowing producers to trigger different Mob member responses and emotions during the studio recording. The system also provides the opportunity for live interactions between the contestant and specific Mob members.
ionoco’s graphics engine enhances the Mob Wall display with real-time graphics effects such as zooming into individual players, animated overlays and reflections. Key game events such as locking in answers, correct response and ‘Money or the Mob’ all have their own real-time graphics personality.
Simon Ingram, Managing Director of ionoco, says: “Our virtual Mob for 1 vs. 100 has added a new and very current dynamic to this already successful format, yet with a solution that means the show can be produced much faster and at a fraction of the usual cost.
This technology is flexible and scalable so will also make the format attractive to new territories that previously could not meet the large production expenditure. 1 vs. 100 can now be made to the same high standard anywhere in the world, configured and priced to match local budgets.”
Rob Smith, Senior VP of Programming, Endemol USA, adds: “ionoco’s virtual Mob shows how it’s possible to enhance well-established formats with a high quality yet affordable production solution.”