Inside the NBA
TNT
Jack Morton
2022
For a show with such a dedicated following, the clients wanted to make sure we kept what worked well at the core and design around that. Edge-lit plexiglass fins flank the large LED anchor screen, reclad in a minimal dark metal frame. The existing crow’s nest now features an open look, visually connecting the research and lighting crews with the rest of the cast. Its new floating metal staircase with multiple platforms doubles as an alternate guest entrance onto the set.
The new look of the space is clean and modern, inspired by newly constructed stadiums and arenas around the country. The space is framed by a series of architectural brackets, taking full advantage of the high ceilings, while simultaneously focusing attention back down towards the talent. The reflective metallic brackets run the length of the studio, connected by a series of color changing lightbox stripes, adding a foreground element to help create depth in the studio. Nestled into some of the brackets are six vertical LED columns that can track in and out of the frame, allowing for greater flexibility in storytelling.
To create the illusion of a bigger space, graphic light boxes around the set contain a stark, modern warehouse design, featuring concrete columns, illuminated elements and etched logos. The warehouse space can be used by the Turner graphics team to virtually extend the space in the on-air graphics as well.
FOX Sports - Stage A
FOX
Jack Morton
2022
Together with Fox Sports, the design team at Jack Morton reimagined sports broadcasting with a massive, two-story studio that takes a bold leap into the future. The new Stage A, Fox Sports’ flagship studio in Los Angeles, is a revolutionary environment on every level. From its sleek aesthetic, inspired by modern stadium architecture, to its very scale and plan, to its seamless integration of the most sophisticated display technology, Stage A is a ground-breaking marvel.
With flowing shapes that define the studio, the scenery unfolds with lit lines and beautiful glass railings that sweep along the edges of every level. The new design matches its grandeur with an expansive use of technology. Powerful LED displays are integrated throughout the set, with every wall incorporating screens in distinct shapes. These arrays become intuitive windows that effortlessly bring storytelling support wherever the talent may be.
But the real technical showpiece is a fully integrated LED volume, nicknamed “The Cave.” With (3) walls and a complete floor made of LED tiles, this impressive area allows for the creation of virtual set extensions powered by real-time rendering software. Ultimately, Stage A is a storytelling platform, and the LED volume allows hosts to tell more immersive, interactive, and engaging stories in each segment. And while it truly is the showstopper, it was designed to work harmoniously with the rest of the stage for a seamless viewing experience that gives hosts more freedom and gets fans closer to the action. This complete hybrid environmental design of Stage A is truly at the vanguard of sports broadcasting. Another bold statement from Fox Sports.
NFL Los Angeles - Studio 1
NFL Network
Jack Morton
2021
The Jack Broadcast Design team partnered with our longtime client, the NFL, to inaugurate their new broadcast headquarters, a sparkling new facility next to the sweeping SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, CA, by designing groundbreaking scenic environments for (3) large studio spaces, a digital studio, podcast studio, a green screen studio and an expansive newsroom, to complete an incredible elevation in look and functionality.
The flagship stage is Studio 1, an immense volume with corner windows looking out to a slice of turf field and across Champions’ Way, the street bordering SoFi Stadium. This studio features 30’ ceilings and a mezzanine level splitting the room in half vertically. Visitors can enter the space and pass behind a large sculptural football nicknamed “The Duke,” a metal framework filled with faceted panels that come to life with video projection. A raised “Tech Deck” places talent in dramatic camera shots with “The Duke” as their background, turning the sculpture into a one-of-kind environmental display.
Other distinct studio design features include a large rotating NFL shield, outlined in neon, and a two-story mural by Los Angeles native, artist Tristan Eaton. This dynamic artwork transforms a large utility door into a towering collage that celebrates the league, the players and the city in a vibrant sunrise palette. When the door is opened to the outside, a sleek section of turf is revealed for demonstrations, further linking the studio to the game itself.
Tha God's Honest Truth
Comedy Central
Jack Morton/PDG
2021
Charlamagne drives the show from a Main Anchor Platform, with a sleek desk and swiveling chair that puts him firmly in command. Behind him is a central LED “dashboard” wrapped by a curving arch with touches that evoke his radio roots, like an “On Air” sign and acoustic paneling in an Afrofuturist pattern with color-changing, lit characters.
A nearby Interview Area has a circular banquette with crisp black upholstery and a backdrop of original artwork by Laolu. This iconic mural depicts the narrative of Charlamagne’s story in Laolu’s distinct style, with a portion of the wall as a transparent scrim.
An electrifying Tunnel wraps behind the Interview Area, with a band of displays curving along its length and an overhead constellation of linear light fixtures above. The Tunnel is a dramatic passage for Charlamagne to lay out the upcoming show or sum up what we’ve learned.
Smart and unexpected, the set is designed to support and amplify Charlamagne’s unique and powerful voice.
© 2016 Raeford Dwyer Photography
The Late Show
with Stephen Colbert
Jack Morton/PDG
2015
When Stephen Colbert started his tenure on The Late Show, it began a new era in his career and initiated a face lift for the show's home, the Ed Sullivan Theater. The Ed Sullivan Theater began as a Broadway house and Colbert is a fan of its architecture and history.
Jim Fenhagen, Executive Vice President of Design at Jack Morton/PDG and Scenic Designer for the project, worked very closely with Colbert to design the set. Fenhagen was quoted in Lighting and Sound America saying, "Stephen wanted to celebrate this gorgeous old theatre that had been covered over through the years with sound-proofing and lighting grids." He added, "We really didn't feel the theatre until we renovated it. We integrated the set with the theatre in a way that created this sort of modern vs. classical architecture, which is a fun tension." - read more at Rosebrand.
© 2016 Raeford Dwyer Photography
ESPN - Sportcenter
Jack Morton/PDG
2015
Emmy Winner
Debuted on June 20, 2014. Located in Studio X of ESPN’s Digital Center-2, a 194,000-sq. foot, five-studio media facility.
The SportsCenter set is divided by an enormous glass wall separating the 6,200-sq. foot Studio X, which is home to those programs on ESPN and ESPN2, from the 3,500-sq.-foot Studio XA – The Annex – from where SportsCenter on ESPNEWS originates. The center of The Annex features a large glass cube/work station, housing a new “SC Display Unit,” dedicated to overseeing what appears in the set’s 114 video and graphic display monitors.
The nearly 10,000-sq. foot SportsCenter studio is twice the size of the former studio and contains 100 more monitors than the original Digital Center studio which debuted in June 2004. - read more at NewscastStudio.com.
Raeford designed the floor of the entire space, and in collaboration with Art Director Shelline Vandermey of Jack Morton/PDG, vari0us rear lit and front lit graphic and textured walls and surfaces.
© 2016 Raeford Dwyer Photography
The Daily Show
with Trevor Noah
Jack Morton/PDG
2015
Comedy Central’s “The Daily Show” refreshed its studio with the debut of Trevor Noah, striking a balance of new and old. Working with Jack Morton PDG, the broadcast aimed for something familiar while enhancing the show's coverage ability.
“Trevor was very thoughtful when describing ‘The Daily Show’ set and what he imagined when considering the new design. He really liked the existing set, saying that it felt familiar, like home,” said Larry Hartman who led design on the project.
-read more at NewscastStudio.com.
With this in mind Raeford designed the main map graphic with much the same elements as the previous one but with new color and intensity. One of the larger pieces is a skyline backdrop that helps establish place. Wrapping around the studio, the graphic puts the set in the middle of Manhattan. Centering the space is an arctic grid ceiling piece wth a nod to the traditional newsdesk.
© 2016 Raeford Dwyer Photography
TNT - Inside the NBA
Jack Morton/PDG
2015
Emmy Winner
Turner Sports upgraded its home for the “NBA on TNT” and “Inside the NBA” this season, reworking Studio J with a sleek design from Jack Morton PDG. Lead Designer Andre Durette and Associate Designer Camille Connolly headed up the project.
“They wanted to elevate their set, to go from what they had to something more modern, slick and glossy, yet retain some of that warmth,” said Durette.
Working with some existing architectural elements, Durette envisioned a space that is a “skybox in the city,” providing a scenic view from the 40th floor of a skyscraper.
- read more at NewscastStudio.com.
To achieve this look, Raeford created a 20 foot tall, 360 degree skyline graphic showcasing various cities around the world.
-Take a tour of the studio here.
© 2016 Raeford Dwyer Photography
AL Jazeera DC
Jack Morton/PDG
2015
In Washington, AJA took over the studio space in the Newseum from ABC, who had used it for “This Week.”
In the space, Jack Morton PDG created a set that captures the view of D.C. and provides layers of colorful texture.
Raeford designed subtle graphic layeres and patterns for the color changing light boxes, the floor design and photography and production of the Capitol view.
© 2016 Raeford Dwyer Photography
Showtime - Inside the NFL
Jack Morton/PDG
2014
This set design included a mix of stonework, riveted columns and wood, creating an industrial vibe. Pops of color appear on the set via backlit graphic panels and the show's main desk.
Included in the set are little references to Showtime, including a carpet with the network's logo. Similarly, NFL team brands are sneakily worked into some of the wood paneling, giving a reclaimed/throwback feeling.
- read more at NewscastStudio.com.
Raeford, working with Larry Hartman at Jack Morton/PDG, designed all rearlit graphic elements and treated surfaces
Photography courtesy of NBC News
NBC - Democracy Plaza
Jack Morton/PDG
2012
Emmy Winner
NBC News transformed the legendary Rockefeller Center in New York City into Democracy Plaza, an interactive and innovative experience celebrating American democracy and citizenship in the heart of one of its biggest cities.
Democracy Plaza also served as the home of the 2012 election coverage in the days leading up to and on Election Day for NBC News, MSNBC, CNBC, Telemundo, NBC News Channel, NBC 4 New York and many other networks and broadcasts.
On election night, thousands gathered in the Plaza to watch live coverage of election results on large screens scattered throughout the public spaces. The iconic Rockefeller Center skating rink held an enormous map of the United States, with individual states icing over in red or blue as the race was called by the NBC News Decision Desk. Red and blue banners representing electoral votes rose up in the front of the building as each candidate claimed a state.
- continue this article at NBCnews.com
Raeford produced all the environmental graphic design treatments for the broadcast booths and channel garden kiosks
© 2016 Raeford Dwyer Photography
CNN Presidential Debates
Clickspring Design
2008
Emmy Winner
Working with scenic designer Erik Ulfers of Clickspring Design, Raeford developed the graphic look of CNN’s travelling debate set and the Headquarters of the election center in New York for the 2008 Presidential Election Coverage. This work was awarded the Emmy for Outstanding Achievement in scenic design.
Starting with some very basic architectural elements, the Presidential Seal and the American Flag, Raeford created a visual brand that translated across many mediums, was modular and could be reconstituted in novel ways. It was also designed to be affective in a cropped close up as well as a sweeping wide shot.
The traveling stage set for the 2008 Democratic and Republican presidential hopefuls was flexible, visually complex, and provided a dynamic backdrop to the serious and often heated debates that these events provoked.