TopGear Filming
Discussion
I also went to this one, standing around for ages with people just shouting 'hoping to leave before 3' at 1.30 was a bit tedious but the Burgers were nice and the hot chocolate was a lot tastier than the coffee.
Standing around for that long was a little tedious, but did manage to get the Mrs on camera a couple of times so the kids were happy to see us on there.
Standing around for that long was a little tedious, but did manage to get the Mrs on camera a couple of times so the kids were happy to see us on there.
Snatch1 said:
Thanks to the OP for posting this and sorry you didn't get in to see the show. I
was registered on Applause Store for years but never got issued tickets. I registered on Lost in TV after reading this thread and have just been issued 4 tickets for the 5th April
I'm not looking to get on TV. As a fan of TG, I'm genuinely interested to see the show being made.
I'll be sure to arrive early so as to avoid being turned away.
We also have tickets for April 5. Seemingly easy to get.was registered on Applause Store for years but never got issued tickets. I registered on Lost in TV after reading this thread and have just been issued 4 tickets for the 5th April
I'm not looking to get on TV. As a fan of TG, I'm genuinely interested to see the show being made.
I'll be sure to arrive early so as to avoid being turned away.
Bugger, wish I'd seen this thread before Wednesday. Two of us went in our Esprits. We were in plenty of time so stopped for a coffee and sandwich at the pub. Turned away at 1pm - gate opening time - as it was already full. Glad I only travelled from Hertfordshire, would have been really really pissed off if we'd travelled half way across the country.
Got Premium tickets for 12/4 - but it's another day to take off work.
Got Premium tickets for 12/4 - but it's another day to take off work.
I've got tickets for 5th April but on mine it states
"Premium Entry You are GUARANTEED entry until 12:30pm" so is a different tciekt to the OP's
I only applied for 2 tickets. Or could it be I applied early?
Still going to get there early.
Not bothered about being on TV we'd just love to see the making off it.
"Premium Entry You are GUARANTEED entry until 12:30pm" so is a different tciekt to the OP's
I only applied for 2 tickets. Or could it be I applied early?
Still going to get there early.
Not bothered about being on TV we'd just love to see the making off it.
Edited by redlancer on Friday 24th March 23:45
redlancer said:
I've got tickets for 5th April but on mine it states
"Premium Entry You are GUARANTEED entry until 12:30pm" so is a different tciekt to the OP's
I only applied for 2 tickets. Or could it be I applied early?
Still going to get there early.
Not bothered about being on TV we'd just love to see the making off it.
They're the ones they issue you with if you get turned away from one. Lucky to get them first time around."Premium Entry You are GUARANTEED entry until 12:30pm" so is a different tciekt to the OP's
I only applied for 2 tickets. Or could it be I applied early?
Still going to get there early.
Not bothered about being on TV we'd just love to see the making off it.
Shakermaker said:
It used to be run by Applause Store and when I applied for tickets on there, it clearly stated that you might not get entry even if you had all the tickets etc. So when I went, I definitely arrived an hour earlier than I was meant to and some people had got there considerably earlier than that.
But yes, I agree with you it was really badly organised at the beginning stage, I was fortunate to be there on a clear sunny day in April but even then, standing by the car waiting for 90 minutes was entirely pointless. Although we could see they had someone hammering the 675LT around whilst we waited, and we also got to watch a chap being taught how to reverse park an articulated lorry.
OP - that is a real pisser for you though.
Applause Store are a bunch of But yes, I agree with you it was really badly organised at the beginning stage, I was fortunate to be there on a clear sunny day in April but even then, standing by the car waiting for 90 minutes was entirely pointless. Although we could see they had someone hammering the 675LT around whilst we waited, and we also got to watch a chap being taught how to reverse park an articulated lorry.
OP - that is a real pisser for you though.
s. When CMH ran TG it wasn't run by those arses. If you had a ticket you were guaranteed an entry. No queuing, just a bit of milling around until Ois or the small dude with the big hair told you where to go....and waaaaaaay more people then the official capacity limit were allowed in 
Yipper said:
It is obvious from the thread people have not done much TV. It is very much the nature of the beast. It is very common to spend 4-8hrs filming a 1min segment. Lots of travelling, standing around, setting up and alike. That poor guy who made headlines this week when his kids walked in on his 5min TV Skype interview probably spent half a day planning the slot, topics and timing. Producers figure most people wanna be on TV so bad, making them wait is not an issue.
Old TG took no more than 4 hours to record, including tea and crisps (wagon wheels sometimes). Clarkson curfew 6pm dead. Unlike most 30 minute comedy shows that do have endless takes....rubystone said:
Shakermaker said:
It used to be run by Applause Store and when I applied for tickets on there, it clearly stated that you might not get entry even if you had all the tickets etc. So when I went, I definitely arrived an hour earlier than I was meant to and some people had got there considerably earlier than that.
But yes, I agree with you it was really badly organised at the beginning stage, I was fortunate to be there on a clear sunny day in April but even then, standing by the car waiting for 90 minutes was entirely pointless. Although we could see they had someone hammering the 675LT around whilst we waited, and we also got to watch a chap being taught how to reverse park an articulated lorry.
OP - that is a real pisser for you though.
Applause Store are a bunch of But yes, I agree with you it was really badly organised at the beginning stage, I was fortunate to be there on a clear sunny day in April but even then, standing by the car waiting for 90 minutes was entirely pointless. Although we could see they had someone hammering the 675LT around whilst we waited, and we also got to watch a chap being taught how to reverse park an articulated lorry.
OP - that is a real pisser for you though.
s. When CMH ran TG it wasn't run by those arses. If you had a ticket you were guaranteed an entry. No queuing, just a bit of milling around until Ois or the small dude with the big hair told you where to go....and waaaaaaay more people then the official capacity limit were allowed in Clearly whoever the floor manager/studio manager was in the Clarkson era was far better organised but hasn't passed that knowledge on!
Shakermaker said:
It was always Applause store for all the years I was trying to get tickets
Clearly whoever the floor manager/studio manager was in the Clarkson era was far better organised but hasn't passed that knowledge on!
Mine came direct through the crew but I don't recall being herded up by anyone from that shower of sClearly whoever the floor manager/studio manager was in the Clarkson era was far better organised but hasn't passed that knowledge on!
t. Nor do I recall seeing snyone turned away when I was there.A couple of us got tickets to the recording last week - the Ford GT episode.
We parked up 11.15am, a good number had arrived before us, about the same number arrived after us, with cars being turned away around 12.30 / 1pm.
Around 2pm, buses take you across to the studio, then recording started around 3.30pm.
We had the surprise bonus of Eddie Jordan and his band playing while the initial shots were set up.
At a break in recording they handed out passes to stay for Extra Gear, this was disorganised - so keep an eye out.
The main recording finished around 6pm, then Extra Gear finished at 8pm.
It's along day, standing the whole time, but good to see the cars up close, and interesting to see how the program is made.
We parked up 11.15am, a good number had arrived before us, about the same number arrived after us, with cars being turned away around 12.30 / 1pm.
Around 2pm, buses take you across to the studio, then recording started around 3.30pm.
We had the surprise bonus of Eddie Jordan and his band playing while the initial shots were set up.
At a break in recording they handed out passes to stay for Extra Gear, this was disorganised - so keep an eye out.
The main recording finished around 6pm, then Extra Gear finished at 8pm.
It's along day, standing the whole time, but good to see the cars up close, and interesting to see how the program is made.
bodhi said:
One question that arose whilst watching the latest episode is - have they done away with the equal numbers of each sex rule? It did look very male heavy last night....
They ask you the question when you register whether or not you are a mixed party, and I guess they pick people based on that.In the old days, Clarkson used to look at the audience and pull all the cute girls to the front, so old episodes always looked there were plenty of girls there.
Dr Interceptor said:
Bit of a rant really, but if you don't want to read it all, the upshot is if you're lucky enough to get tickets to watch TopGear being filmed, best rock up a couple of hours early, or camp at Dunsfold overnight to actually stand a chance of getting in.
So I got the above ticket, to watch the filming yesterday. Invited three friends to join me, one of which had a trek half way across the country and an overnight hotel stop to be there. Arrived at the correct gate with two cars in convoy at around 12.40 all excited, only to be turned away. The filming was full.
Now I've been to watch TopGear being filmed before, back in the Clarkson days. They used to have 150-200 people, and would move them around the studio for each segment so the area behind the camera was always looking full.
Now, they have a capacity of 570 people, and farm out the distribution of tickets to an outfit called 'Lost in TV'. To guarantee a full studio, they issue probably 25% more tickets than what they actually have capacity for, and then just turn people away once they're full.
The chap in front of me in the queue had driven four hours from Leeds in his Noble M12, only to just be turned around and refused entry. There were probably another 100 cars arrived after us, so potentially another 200 people that were just turned away.
A bit pissed off, we went in The Three Compasses for a pint (right next to the gate), the landlord there said last week a couple had travelled all the way from France, only to be denied access.
I know that we don't pay for the tickets, but we do organise our lives around being there when we get tickets, and incur some expense in getting there (especially that chap from Leeds in his Noble).
So that's it really. st rant I know, no swearing. But if you get tickets, rock up a couple of hours early, or you won't get in. The BBC, Lost in TV, and the TopGear production crew don't give a st how far you've travelled to be there.
Top Gear, and every other filmed show, ALWAYS over allocates tickets to ensure a full audience. I've lost count of the number of times I've queued for a filming for it to be filled before I get entry, and they make it VERY clear.So I got the above ticket, to watch the filming yesterday. Invited three friends to join me, one of which had a trek half way across the country and an overnight hotel stop to be there. Arrived at the correct gate with two cars in convoy at around 12.40 all excited, only to be turned away. The filming was full.
Now I've been to watch TopGear being filmed before, back in the Clarkson days. They used to have 150-200 people, and would move them around the studio for each segment so the area behind the camera was always looking full.
Now, they have a capacity of 570 people, and farm out the distribution of tickets to an outfit called 'Lost in TV'. To guarantee a full studio, they issue probably 25% more tickets than what they actually have capacity for, and then just turn people away once they're full.
The chap in front of me in the queue had driven four hours from Leeds in his Noble M12, only to just be turned around and refused entry. There were probably another 100 cars arrived after us, so potentially another 200 people that were just turned away.
A bit pissed off, we went in The Three Compasses for a pint (right next to the gate), the landlord there said last week a couple had travelled all the way from France, only to be denied access.
I know that we don't pay for the tickets, but we do organise our lives around being there when we get tickets, and incur some expense in getting there (especially that chap from Leeds in his Noble).
So that's it really. s
t rant I know, no swearing. But if you get tickets, rock up a couple of hours early, or you won't get in. The BBC, Lost in TV, and the TopGear production crew don't give a st how far you've travelled to be there. It was exactly the same back in the Clarkson, May and Hammond era.
Interesting, if long, day out. I wouldn't do it again in a hurry but glad that I did. Studio is a lot smaller than it looks on TV. The piece with the Mercedes looked and sounded amazing on the big screen and speakers turned up to 11.
The comedy guy was good and kept people's attention and I got 10/10 in the quiz so won a prize (DVD).
Harris and LeBlanc seemed to get on OK but, to me, Reid seemed like a spare part and didn't seem that chatty to the other hosts or the star during the down time. Still not sure what value he adds.
It's all scripted, even the stuff the guest says as you can see it on the autocue. They had to retake a few pieces so it keeps it all consistent. Harris describing the action as the car goes round the track with the stig or star at the wheel is 'live' as they see it on a big screen.
No freddo for the comedy guy again as they had another fainter (3rd week in a row)
The comedy guy was good and kept people's attention and I got 10/10 in the quiz so won a prize (DVD).
Harris and LeBlanc seemed to get on OK but, to me, Reid seemed like a spare part and didn't seem that chatty to the other hosts or the star during the down time. Still not sure what value he adds.
It's all scripted, even the stuff the guest says as you can see it on the autocue. They had to retake a few pieces so it keeps it all consistent. Harris describing the action as the car goes round the track with the stig or star at the wheel is 'live' as they see it on a big screen.
No freddo for the comedy guy again as they had another fainter (3rd week in a row)
KTF said:
Interesting, if long, day out. I wouldn't do it again in a hurry but glad that I did. Studio is a lot smaller than it looks on TV. The piece with the Mercedes looked and sounded amazing on the big screen and speakers turned up to 11.
The comedy guy was good and kept people's attention and I got 10/10 in the quiz so won a prize (DVD).
Harris and LeBlanc seemed to get on OK but, to me, Reid seemed like a spare part and didn't seem that chatty to the other hosts or the star during the down time. Still not sure what value he adds.
It's all scripted, even the stuff the guest says as you can see it on the autocue. They had to retake a few pieces so it keeps it all consistent. Harris describing the action as the car goes round the track with the stig or star at the wheel is 'live' as they see it on a big screen.
No freddo for the comedy guy again as they had another fainter (3rd week in a row)
I'd off gone for the sh**ty pens The comedy guy was good and kept people's attention and I got 10/10 in the quiz so won a prize (DVD).
Harris and LeBlanc seemed to get on OK but, to me, Reid seemed like a spare part and didn't seem that chatty to the other hosts or the star during the down time. Still not sure what value he adds.
It's all scripted, even the stuff the guest says as you can see it on the autocue. They had to retake a few pieces so it keeps it all consistent. Harris describing the action as the car goes round the track with the stig or star at the wheel is 'live' as they see it on a big screen.
No freddo for the comedy guy again as they had another fainter (3rd week in a row)
As you found it really interesting and excellent but a long day. So glad we did it even with the 8 hour round trip. But wouldn't rush back, unless the format changes and I'd want to see that. Would off liked to off seen the Evans one just for the off camera stuff to compare.
Was good to see the stars lap even from a far whilst we waited.
tip - don't look at the autocue if you are directly behind as that means they have to re do the shot
they have autocue but guests was - nows chats about this.... so not really scripted.
and they didn't follow it to the letter, see above, don't read autocue whilst filming
1st look at a Tv show being made i'd say all have autocues. Even if its to remind them or for key points. Chris didn't look like he looked at them once.
Impressions
Chris, when not filming engaged with crowd, chatted to Matt and was how you expected him to be.
Matt, when watching the VT, esp the one he wasn't in was mouth open, laughing etc. Almost like that's the1st time he'd seen it. Came across proffesional and the one checking scripts and chatting with guests about them. What a main presenter should be. Made jokes off camera.
Both looked nervious at the start but soon relaxed.
Rory - if he wasn't there wouldn't off been missed and at times looked like he was there to kep the others to a time scedule by interupting when they went off on one.
Guest was a lot longer than i expected so imagine a lot will be cut. But it was all funny.
The films were excellent.
Took about 4 hours to film and wasn't a lot of re takes, including the one cause by me.
It looked a slicked operation to the untrained eye.
Misses loved it, and not someoen who knows Chris Harris, loves his stuff. Matt's car piece was again excellent.
For me its turned into a really good car show that shows fantastic desitnations in a different light and with a little bit of humour thrown in.
redlancer said:
For me its turned into a really good car show that shows fantastic desitnations in a different light and with a little bit of humour thrown in.
I suspect that's really all people want from TG. And to a degree what we wanted from Grand Tour.Just shows that it's more difficult to get right without becoming bombastic and over the top
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