New Production Model Announced for Guiding Light

NEW YORK, January 29: The
CBS soap Guiding Light,
produced by Procter & Gamble Productions, is looking to reinvent itself
with a new “modern, more realistic look,” set to be unveiled February 29.

The new production model
being implemented for the long-running daily drama is being billed as an
“end-to-end transformation in the way the show is created, from direction to
editing to scenic design,” Procter & Gamble Productions said in a
statement. The sets in the New York City studio will now feature four walls and
a ceiling and will increase in number from eight to 40, allowing viewers to see
much more of the fictional town of Springfield. Handheld cameras will shoot the
actors inside the sets to deliver a higher level of realism for the audience.
Moreover, the town of Peapack, New Jersey, will be used to shoot all of the
exterior scenes, which will total approximately 20 percent of production. Previously,
the set featured three pedestal cameras that shot the action from outside a
proscenium wall. Location shooting was limited to once or twice a year.

"Our new production
model enables us to truly bring Springfield to life for our viewers," said
Ellen Wheeler, the executive producer. "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 move follows a
year-long development process by the show's production team and Procter &
Gamble Productions. The resulting new model looks to combine elements from
film, reality TV and daytime fare to deliver a more realistic feel to the show.

On the same day as Guiding
Light’s production overhaul debut,
the website, guidinglight.net, will be re-launched. The interactive, video-rich
site will showcase the new look of Guiding Light, providing daily new content on the happenings of
the characters. In addition, the site will feature a community section.

—By Mansha Daswani