Channel 4 unveils ground-breaking new series of idents to reflect modern Britain

14 June 2023

Channel 4 today unveils a new series of idents which authentically reflect life in modern Britain.

Created by Channel 4’s multi-award-winning in-house creative agency 4creative in collaboration with Art Practice and Love Song, the five new idents feature scenes including an urban fox taking refuge in a decaying telephone box, a group of teenagers on the last day of school, a frozen moment of a Friday night and a celebration of Zoroastrian New Year. The 25 unique looping scenes create a tapestry of modern British society today as seen through the eyes of a diverse group of 17 independent creatives, artists, and filmmakers.

Channel 4's new 2023 idents - full film containing all idents with voice and words from John Joseph Holt.

Channel 4's new 2023 idents - full film containing all idents with voice and words from John Joseph Holt.

 

Following the broadcaster’s brand transformation, the idents draw on the concept of ‘4’ as a traveller which acts as a companion for viewers through limitless worlds of content. The iconic Channel 4 logo is the central axis of each film as the camera continually loops through the logo itself to show thought-provoking and dramatic scenes that form a part of Channel 4’s ‘Altogether Different’ reflection of the UK.

Consisting of a combination of live-action, animated and full CG (computer generated) films, the scenes were developed from an open brief that invited the creators to interpret one of five themes: Identity, The Land, System, Release and Love. Culminating in over 500 initial ideas, the brief encouraged diversity of expression within a system that allows for endless creative outcomes – all unified by the consistent camera move, the cube motif and the Channel 4 logo.

Zaid Al-Qassab, Chief Marketing Officer at Channel 4, said: “Our idents reach 50 million people in the UK every month, so we wanted to represent all of us, the rich diversity of our nation, our communities, and our passions.  This is not only a representation of Channel 4, this is the most viewed piece of public art in the UK, that will be seen for many years to come, so it was important to us that it spoke to everyone.  Whoever you are, we hope you will find something that speaks to your heart.”

Lynsey Atkin, Executive Creative Director at Channel 4, said: “The Channel 4 idents have a long history of visual excellence and as a marker for British creativity. We hope that this new set builds on this legacy and delights viewers many times over, with everyone finding a loop that feels like home to them. The idents at their purest represent the unbreakable spirit of Channel 4 – of diversity, challenge, and creative risk – and it has been a true labour of love bringing these idents to life with so many brilliant and varied directors and artists. We can’t wait to see them out in the world.”

Featuring over 70 faces cast from across the UK, the idents reflect Channel 4’s commitment to representing the different stories and people that make up British society. Rooted in authenticity, the casting process resulted in real families, couples, and groups of friends featuring in the majority of scenes.

Filmed across four studio days as well as four days on location in Glasgow and the surrounding area, Channel 4’s idents represent the broadcaster’s values and public service remit to take creative risks, inspire change, champion unheard voices, and celebrate the diversity of the UK.

The new films are set to launch on Channel 4 on Wednesday 14th June at 6.55pm between Hollyoaks and Channel 4 News with a one-off film containing all five idents looped together, accompanied by the specially commissioned words of British writer John Joseph Holt.

 

For further information:

Hope Hamilton / Corporate Press Officer

hhamilton@Channel4.co.uk

07889574798                                                                          

Notes to Editors

The new idents form part of Channel 4’s brand transformation, designed to elevate the broadcaster’s streaming-first commitment for the digital age and to allow audiences to enjoy a more seamless and connected viewing experience across all of Channel 4’s services and platforms.

 

Credits

 

Client: Channel 4

Agency: 4creative

Production company: Art Practice 

 

Executive Creative Director: Lynsey Atkin

Creative Directors: Mike Skrgatic, Daniel Wolfe, Lynsey Atkin, Bafic

Directors: Saman Aminzadeh, Optical Arts, Bafic, Mike Battcock, Will Dohrn, Daniel Eatock,

Mike Skrgatic and James Allen, Verity May Lane, Maria Lax, The Line, Louis McCourt, Justyna Obasi, Elliott Power, The Romantix, Dan Tobin Smith, Daniel Wolfe

Voice and words: John Joseph Holt

 

4creative

 

Executive Creative Director: Lynsey Atkin

Managing Director: Katie Jackson

Executive Producer: Louise Oliver

Senior Producer: Lauren Holden

Production Manager: Hope Sutherland

Junior Producer: Jazz Stradling

 

Channel 4

 

Chief Marketing Officer: Zaid Al-Qassab

Marketing Director: Amber Kirby

Head of Brand Transformation: Matt Berry

Marketing Lead, Brand Transformation: Simi Murthy

Marketing Executive, Brand Transformation: Lana Camp

 

Art Practice x Love Song

 

Creative Director (Art Practice): Mike Skrgatic

Creative Director (Love Song): Daniel Wolfe

Executive Producer: James Guy

Producer: Bonnie Anthony

Production Manager: Julia Guignabel

Production Coordinator: Shirley Crawford 

Production Assistant: Katie Reid

 

Directors of Photography: Daniel Landin, Eponine Momenceau

Moco Supervisor: Simone Tartaglia 

Moco Operator: Tomi Keeling  

1st Assistant Director: Rob Blishen 

Production Designer: Arthur De Borman

Art Directors: Matthew Fraser, Imogen Grant Toner
Casting Directors: Kharmel Cochrane, Claire Catterson, Found Casting, Belinda Norcliffe

Costume Designers: Hannah Edwards, Bratsk Collective, Ella Lucia 

Hair & Makeup: Lu Hinton, Ainslie Currie 

Editor: Fouad Gaber, Trim Editing

VFX and Post Production: Time Based Arts

Audio Post Production: String and Tins 

 

Time Based Arts

 

Producer: Chris Aliano

2D Supervisors: Stephen Grasso, Leo Weston, Miguel Wratten

CG Supervisors: Mike Battcock, Sam Osborne, Nick Smalley
2D Team: Manolo Perez, Jamie Crofts, Olivia O’Neil, Lucy Lawrence, Valeria Scalamandre, Eleonora Laddago, Bernie Varela, Chris Fraser, Dan Cowley, Tom Robinson

CG Team: Ben Cantor, Nigel Timms, Bethan Williams, Ian Baird, Jordan Coles, Maxime Ponsart, Joe Ibbett, Teodora Retegan, Quentin Corker-Marin, Stephen Ross 

Grading: Max Ferguson Hook, Simone Grattarola

 

String and Tins 

 

Audio Post Production: String and Tins
Sound Supervisor: Will Cohen
Sound Designers: Lawrence Kendrick, Culum Simpson, Jim Stewart, Kaspar Broyd, Adam Smyth, Joe Wilkinson, Adam Hare, Will Cohen, Mike Bamford
Music Composers: Will Cohen, Culum Simpson, Adam Smyth, Jim Stewart, Kaspar Broyd, Miink, Cal Swingler, J. Caesar, Matthew Watson, Daniel Freeman, Anthony Moore
Music Supervisors: Laura-Leigh Smith and Mike Bamford
Audio Producers: Laura-Leigh Smith and Rachel Hough

 

Optical Arts & Dan Tobin Smith

Founder / Creative Director: Dan Tobin Smith

EP / Studio Director: Hannah May

Creative Directors: Fabrice Le Nezet, Martin Pryor, Joe Jackson

CG team: Nicolas Damour, Flora Macleod

Creative Assistant: Minna Griffiths

Production Assistant: Stephanie Skarbek

 

The Line

 

Directors: Tim McCourt, Max Taylor
Executive Producer: Laura Breaden
Producer: Macarena Gaset

 

 

 About Channel 4

Channel 4 exists to create change through entertainment. Publicly owned yet commercially funded, Channel 4 generates significant and sustainable cultural, economic and social impact across the UK – at no cost to the taxpayer.

The broadcaster’s distinctive remit is set by Parliament, and it has a role to represent unheard voices, challenge with purpose and reinvent entertainment. For over 40 years, it has been a British success story, engaging generation after generation of young people.

Through a unique publisher-broadcaster model, Channel 4 commissions its content from the UK independent production sector. Working with around 300 creative companies every year, Channel 4 makes a major contribution to the local, regional and national economy, creating and supporting thousands of jobs and businesses across the country.

In 2020, Channel 4 launched its Future4 strategy to become a digital-first public service media company and to continue to deliver significant impact for UK audiences and investment into the UK creative economy.

Across its bases in London, Leeds, Manchester, Bristol and Glasgow, Channel 4 is turbocharging its efforts to find, nurture and develop talent across the UK. Through its training and development initiative 4Skills, Channel 4 is opening up opportunities in broadcasting, with a particular focus on disadvantaged young people, and addressing skills gaps across the Nations and Regions.

Channel 4 has the UK’s biggest free streaming service plus 11 television channels including: Channel 4, E4, E4 Extra, More4, Film4, 4Seven and The Box Plus Network. Through Film4 Productions, Channel 4 also invests in British filmmakers to huge critical acclaim, producing 37 Oscar wins and 88 BAFTA wins in its history.

 

https://www.channel4.com/