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What's happened to the sets in Neighbours?


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Old 01-10-2013, 16:19
Tele_addict
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Having not watched Neighbours for a while, I tuned in to find all the houses totally unrecognisable compared to a few years ago. You can only just about familiarise yourself with the layout. Doors are missing, walls are missing and all of the houses have shrunk! Especially the Willis house. I would not have known what house this was if I hadn't have googled it. The old Ramsay house has totally shrunk aswell and in Toadie's house when they come through the front door, they are virtually by the kitchen window straight away! What was the reason behind this? Maybe the producers are trying to make the houses look more cosy, but it's a bit unrealistic that all the houses would have such a transformation. I always used to like the old sets, I always wanted to live in them!
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Old 01-10-2013, 17:00
jamesalex
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I think they were short on space in the studio and had no money for a bigger one so all of the sets have shrunk or disappeared (like the Turners lounge) so they can fit in all the sets they need.
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Old 01-10-2013, 17:10
Dan06
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In the old days they used to construct and take down each set for every episode filmed but now they are permanent sets in the studio and I guess they needed to make them smaller to fit them all in. Shame though.
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Old 01-10-2013, 17:33
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I think they were short on space in the studio and had no money for a bigger one so all of the sets have shrunk or disappeared (like the Turners lounge) so they can fit in all the sets they need.
They should have paid for bigger studios instead of paying loads to make those back garden sets. It's like watching a different programme with these new sets
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Old 01-10-2013, 17:51
MarzBar85
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They should have paid for bigger studios instead of paying loads to make those back garden sets. It's like watching a different programme with these new sets
The problem with that is the studios need to be near Pin Oak Court (Ramsey St) at the moment it's just along the road.
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Old 01-10-2013, 18:08
toby4000
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I don't think that #22 is actually smaller - the kitchen part of the house is just much bigger. #30 is ridiculous now, and to be honest I wasn't bothered about never seeing their kitchen. #32 has seemingly got bigger - the kitchen is much bigger than when Steph lived there, and it must have 4 bedrooms now, plus a second sitting room.
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Old 03-07-2015, 12:31
fugitive
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I agree, the sets look stupid now and has devalued the show.
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Old 03-07-2015, 13:14
inverness1967
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The purposely cut down location work, increased the number of episodes they produce to 6 per week so i'm giessing they couldn't afford the time it was taking to construct and dismantle the sets.

They also built replica backyards of some of the houses on the grounds of their studios so i think there is less need for them to fill on the actual street now.
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Old 03-07-2015, 14:01
SecretLifeoBees
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I think someone designed the new look using The Sims. Some of the sets (the Willis house) look very simish lol
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Old 03-07-2015, 19:15
summer_ste
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The quality of writing (and acting, generally) has improved dramatically in Neighbours in the past couple of years. While I agree with you that some of the changes to the sets are disappointing, in my opinion it's a matter of priorities and I'd rather take the show as it is now, than as it was a few years ago, even with the old sets.
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Old 03-07-2015, 19:20
jonparadise
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Unfortunately they've had to deal with a lot of budget cuts and changes in filming logistics, so the show certainly looks cheaper and more rushed on screen than it ever has. Which is a shame.

It appears a lot of the writers are now 'trainees' too, which doesn't bode well and goes some way to explaining the 'am dram' feel.
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Old 03-07-2015, 19:28
Creamtea
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The only niggle I have with the sets is the disappearance of that shelf/cupboard built in unit that used to be between the Robinson dinning area and lounge! I was aghast when that went!!!!
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Old 03-07-2015, 19:32
summer_ste
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The only niggle I have with the sets is the disappearance of that shelf/cupboard built in unit that used to be between the Robinson dinning area and lounge! I was aghast when that went!!!!
Haha that does sometimes stand out to me, but the change to Toadie's house is the one that bugs me most, and when will we ever see the main living room/hallway/front door in Lauren's house?
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Old 03-07-2015, 21:19
actual_soap
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The only niggle I have with the sets is the disappearance of that shelf/cupboard built in unit that used to be between the Robinson dinning area and lounge! I was aghast when that went!!!!
Now thats something that should never have been touched!!
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Old 03-07-2015, 22:16
Deschanel
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Haha that does sometimes stand out to me, but the change to Toadie's house is the one that bugs me most, and when will we ever see the main living room/hallway/front door in Lauren's house?
Yeah, the changes to #30 really bug me, and I think they stand out the most. That's just another legacy of Bower's era. I understand why we don't see #32's living room, as they have no space now that the kitchen/dining room is a permanent set, and unlike the other houses, they couldn't make #32 open plan.

I know Jason Herbison (current EP) has said he dislikes Harold's Store, and hopes to change it when they have the budget and time.

I also agree with you about accepting the set changes in favour of better writing and storytelling.
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Old 03-07-2015, 22:28
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Harold's is being refurbed, people who've been on the tour have post pics of the notices.
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Old 04-07-2015, 00:05
Creamtea
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Harold's is being refurbed, people who've been on the tour have post pics of the notices.
Oh no. I really like it the way it is!
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Old 04-07-2015, 00:16
Towie1977
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The interior sets have all shrunk with the exception of the Kennedy house which looks the same to me. Budget cuts seem to have harmed Neighbours more than any other show but it's back to being my favourite. Compared to 2-3 years ago there is more use of the backyards and its fantastic to get the yard to No 24 back, this is the most iconic backyard and was featured in the opening titles back in the late 80s.
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Old 04-07-2015, 00:44
performingmonk
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Didn't it have to change networks a few years ago because their Aus ratings had dropped? I guess they had big budget cuts at that time too so needed to make these changes. At least the show is still going! and whenever I see it it's loads better than it was 5 years ago. Long may Neighbours continue!!
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Old 04-07-2015, 00:50
Towie1977
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Didn't it have to change networks a few years ago because their Aus ratings had dropped? I guess they had big budget cuts at that time too so needed to make these changes. At least the show is still going! and whenever I see it it's loads better than it was 5 years ago. Long may Neighbours continue!!
Yes it went through a dire period from 2009-12 which killed the show down under and almost did the same over here. I believe the budget got cut when it moved channels in Oz land but it's never been fully explained. Its loads better now but the small sets and the cost saving measures are noticeable, for example you never see them go out to bush or to the local airport when someone is leaving like they used to. The sets are smaller too but overall the show has better people and plot lines.
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Old 04-07-2015, 07:29
MelSingleton
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According to Wikipedia (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neighbours#History):

In late 2010, TV Tonight reported that Neighbours would reduce crew operations in 2011 so production could be upgraded. The changes meant that the location manager and catering team were no longer required, studio shoots would be reduced from three cameras to two, and location shots will be mainly confined to the Ramsay Street and Lassiter's complex sets, with occasional filming in one-off places.

These changes co-incided with the move to eleven in Australia. According to https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neighbours#Broadcasting:

In August 2010, The Daily Telegraph reported that Neighbours would be moving to Ten's new digital channel, to make way for a new current affairs show. They said "It's part of a re-branding of Ten's free-to-air channel, targeting the older demographic. The 'younger' shows, like Neighbours, will go on to one of Ten's digital channels". It was later confirmed that the show would be moving to digital channel, Eleven. Network Ten's programmer, David Mott said "We believe Neighbours is perfectly suited to Eleven's audience strategy and will find a successful and enduring home on Eleven". Neighbours moved to Eleven on 11 January 2011, the channel's launch day.

The expensive new backyard sets came later, in 2013: http://www.news.com.au/entertainment...-1226596477483
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Old 04-07-2015, 17:14
Deschanel
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Oh no. I really like it the way it is!
Really?! Lost of people don't.

Many viewers want it to go back to being a coffee shop, and ditch the whole general store layout.
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Old 04-07-2015, 18:00
ravensborough
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I can't say I've noticed the sets shrinking, but I've noticed that in the last year the pool in the Turners backyard is getting a lot of use.

The one thing I don't get is if the budget got slashed, then what's the point of Paul's penthouse? Just get him back on the Street and use the money for something else as other than Paul and Daniel, no one uses the penthouse.
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Old 04-07-2015, 22:01
Creamtea
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Really?! Lost of people don't.

Many viewers want it to go back to being a coffee shop, and ditch the whole general store layout.
Yeah I think it's quite cool. Lots of places like that about now. I like the colours.
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Old 04-07-2015, 22:03
Creamtea
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I can't say I've noticed the sets shrinking, but I've noticed that in the last year the pool in the Turners backyard is getting a lot of use.

The one thing I don't get is if the budget got slashed, then what's the point of Paul's penthouse? Just get him back on the Street and use the money for something else as other than Paul and Daniel, no one uses the penthouse.
I presume Amy and her son will move in too at some stage. Although at that point it would seem very wrong having the whole Robinson clan living off Ramsay Street!
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