Here's How Fox Sports Created a One-of-a-Kind Set for its Veterans Day Fox NFL Sunday Show in Annapolis The onsite production showcased the United States Naval Academy By Jason Dachman, Chief Editor
Friday, November 12, 2021 - 12:57 pm
Print This Story | Subscribe
Story Highlights
Each Veterans Day, Fox Sports ramps up its NFL coverage to pay tribute to those who have served our country. Fox NFL Sunday's longstanding tradition of broadcasting from a military installation has included stops at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, West Point, Fort Benning, Naval Station Norfolk, Pearl Harbor, Afghanistan, and U.S. aircraft carriers. On Nov. 7, Fox took this tradition to a whole new level with a special two-hour Veterans Day-themed Fox NFL Sunday show live from the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, MD.
The Fox NFL Sunday Crew was live for pre/postgame and halftime coverage at the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis.
These Veterans Day Salute to the Troops' events are by far our favorite at Fox and are a labor of love for execs, staff, and crew alike, says Rod Conti, VP, studio remote operations, Fox Sports. We all consider it an honor and privilege to participate and to be reminded that this event is ultimately for honoring the sacrifices that these service men and women make for our freedom. It is simply awe-inspiring. It's a chance to stop and think about how truly fortunate we are to have such heroes to thank for that freedom.
The Set: Iconic Bancroft Hall Provides Perfect Backdrop A 40- x 30-ft. demo area was created next to the main set for Fox NFL Sunday in Annapolis.
Each year, once a military installation is selected for the special edition of Fox NFL Sunday, Conti and his team search for a location that evokes the history and emotion of that military entity in just one look. In Annapolis, Bancroft Hall was the obvious choice.
First and foremost, we start with the military personnel, says Conti. This is why we do this and who we do it for. Each show starts with the best way to showcase their commitment and might, which sets our course for the overall look and feel of the show. We then look for a proper setting, one that best represents their military history. In Annapolis, Bancroft Hall provided that all.
Fox's sprawling footprint in Annapolis was roughly 4,000 sq. ft. and encouraged Navy service members to be part of the broadcast.
Fox worked with Filmwerks to create a 4,000-sq.-ft. Fox NFL Sunday presence that featured a 40- x 40-ft. set, 40- x 30-ft. demo area, and bleachers for the service members.
In Annapolis, Conti explains, the approach was simple but different from others. The sheer beauty of Bancroft Hall made for a perfect setting. However, the difficult part was incorporating all of our pieces - such as the set, LED screens, bleachers, and demo field - into the space without taking away from the historical beauty of the hall. We needed a different approach.
Fox's camera complement in Annapolis included two jibs: a Techno jib and a 73-ft.-high Strada crane.
Having worked with scenic designer Michael Spike Parks and his design company MOOD on the Westminster Dog Show, Conti thought the faux stonework that Parks had created for a previous event would solve the unique issues in Annapolis. Fox worked with Parks and his team to create functional pieces of scenery as well as backdrop pieces, such as faux cannons, for the installation.
The most difficult part was keeping the design subtle, as if they have always belonged there, says Conti. A great amount of detail, color matching, and textures had to be perfected to pull off the overall look and feel.
The Gear: Techno Jib, Strada Crane, 4K Lenses Top High-Tech List Fox Sports worked with MOOD to meticulously create backdrop pieces like faux cannons in Annapolis.
The set was outfitted with four Canon UJ27X6.5B UHD 27 4K studio lenses and Vinten Quattro-L 4 stage pedestals. The field camera complement comprised two RF Sony 2400 R cameras, one RF Steadicam, two jibs (one Techno 22 jib for the demo area, a 73-ft.-high Strada crane for high wide shots). Aerials were a key factor, with AVS providing a fixed-wing craft that helped showcase the United States Naval Academy and its harbor setting.
Using the right cameras to show off the setting [was key], says Conti. Utilizing the Strada crane as well as the Canon UJ27X6.5B UHD 27 4K studio lens and the Vinten Quattro-L 4 stage pedestal to support [cameras] gave us a clean studio look for the desk shot.
Fox rolled out Game Creek Video's Justice single-truck mobile unit, which offered the versatility, from a size standpoint, to work within the space constraints at the Naval Academy.
Although the entire production was produced onsite, Fox did deploy its PARK (Production Anywhere Remote Kit) to support feeds from L.A., as well as a seven-channel inbound mux dedicated to highlight feeds and remote integration to site.
The Team: Remote Studio Staff Thrives on Busy Fall Season Key personnel on the Annapolis project included the Fox Sports technical team led by Tech Supervisor Greg Pfeifer and new Technical Producers Michael Vaughan, Kory Scudder, and Dan James; Operations Director Rob Mikulicka; Remote Studio Operations Manager Amy Burns; and Production Manager Matt Fruitman. On the production side were Art Director Johnny Chou and the Fox graphics department; EVP, Production, Bill Richards; Director Stephanie Medina and Show Producer PT Navarro. Conti also calls out Parks and his team at Mood, who played a critical role in creating and executing the unique look in Annapolis.
The entire Fox NFL Sunday production was handled onsite in Annapolis.
The Veterans Day-themed show at the Naval Academy is the just the latest in a nearly constant stream of onsite studio shows produced by Fox Sports in recent months. In additio
Most recent headlines
17/02/2025
TVBEurope talks to the team who brought a piece of broadcasting history back to life on BBC Wales last night
By Jenny Priestley
Published: February 14, 2025 ...
17/02/2025
Eligible studios will receive the relief directly from their local authorities, with no need to submit a claim
By Matthew Corrigan
Published: February 17, 20...
17/02/2025
As DEI initiatives come under pressure in the USA, supporters of Rise, which promotes diversity in the media and entertainment sector, discuss the continuing im...
17/02/2025
EIB Global loan will partially fund SES's continued O3b mPOWER medium earth orbit (MEO) fleet expansion enabling additional capacity worldwide. O3b mPOWER s...
15/02/2025
At Nielsen, Business Resource Groups (BRGs) play a critical role in nurturing a ...
15/02/2025
Innovation to empower creativity: Explore the latest in Lightroom
Rob Christensen February 15, 2025
0 Comments
Whether you want to remove distracting ...
15/02/2025
Wisycom, a worldwide leader in RF technology and provider of wireless solutions, announces a new distribution agreement with EQUAPHON. An Argentinian profession...
15/02/2025
DPA Microphones, the leading manufacturer of high-quality microphone solutions, is pleased to welcome Nicholas Nick Mariano and Vincent Vince Divine to the ...
15/02/2025
Tuxera, a leading provider of quality-assured file systems and networking solutions, will showcase how Tuxera Fusion SMB enables unprecedented performance for m...
15/02/2025
Bitmovin's latest Video Developer Report indicates an increasing role of AI, the slow adoption of next-generation codecs, and continuing challenges when it ...
15/02/2025
When Michelin Enterprises set out to promote its prestigious Hotel Guide in the new Sleepless in the Kitchen , campaign, veteran German/Slovenian gaffer Robert...
15/02/2025
Formula E, the world's first all-electric racing series, revolutionizing motorsport with cutting-edge technology and a commitment to sustainability has sele...
15/02/2025
Agile Content, a global leader in TV and video technology solutions, announces its rebranding to AgileTV.
The transition to AgileTV stems from a commitment to ...
15/02/2025
Hiltron Communications will promote the latest additions to its range of satellite communication products, systems and supporting services at GovSatCom 2025. Th...
15/02/2025
Following the success of the original Airglow Booklight, DoPchoice debuts a new addition to their inflatable line the Float. This lightweight, inflatable, round...
15/02/2025
LAS VEGAS Marshall Electronics has announced that it will debut its newest camera controller, the RCP Plus, at the 2025 NAB Show at Booth N2649 between April 5 ...
15/02/2025
ATLANTA Gray Media has named Blake Sebo as the next general manager of KTUU and KYES, Gray's NBC and CBS affiliates in Anchorage, Alaska....
15/02/2025
KOKKEDAL, Denmark DPA Microphones will feature its new CORE+ technology for distortion-free microphone sound at the 2025 NAB Show, April 5-9, in Las Vegas....
15/02/2025
SWANSEA, U.K. QuickLink will launch StudioPro-NDI and StudioPro-3, two new models of its QuickLine StudioPro video production platform, at the 2025 NAB Show, Ap...
15/02/2025
Live From 2025 NBA All-Star Game Weekend: After 25 Years, Turner Sports All-In F...
15/02/2025
NASCAR Driver Cam on Max Embraces Cloud-Based Workflow for 2025 Season Chris Brown of WBD Sports says Mobii will play key part in delivering signals from the tr...
14/02/2025
Last month, we officially launched the Spotify Partner Program, a powerful new m...
14/02/2025
From an island off the coast of Lutruwita to the global stage in France SBS & ...
14/02/2025
The future of electro-optical/infrared (EO/IR) land systems is evolving so that ...
14/02/2025
Here are 5 reasons why you should attend ISE 2025
Discover more about Calrec: Learn more about Calrec's legacy of innovation in broadcast audio solutions ...
14/02/2025
World Radio Day: On the same wavelength
By Graham Murray, International Sales Manager at Calrec
To mark World Radio Day, Calrec's International Sales Ma...
14/02/2025
DALLAS and TYSONS, Va. Tegna has concluded a broadcast rights agreement that makes Tegna's KFAA in Dallas the exclusive local television partner of the Dall...
14/02/2025
Amazon's Prime Video has released a new app for Apple TV that the streamer said delivers an improved streaming experiences with faster scrolling, improved s...
14/02/2025
CLEVELAND Telos Alliance announced a software update for its Axia Quasar XR and SR line of audio-over-IP (AoIP) mixing consoles and will show the offering at th...
14/02/2025
Puget Systems Returns to HPA Tech Retreat 2025 with New Analysis Tools for Puge...
14/02/2025
Glass Animals: Tour of Earth Uses Blackmagic Live Production Workflow
Brie Clayton February 14, 2025
0 Comments
80six deploys Blackmagic URSA Broadcas...
14/02/2025
A dispute between Paramount and Youtube TV that would have pulled CBS stations and Paramount's cable channels from the streaming service has been temporaril...
14/02/2025
Colourist Deidre (Dee) McClelland details how she helped shape the distinct look and feel of whimsical Oscar-nominated stop-motion film, Memoir of a Snail
By C...
14/02/2025
BitFire said it intends to introduce forward-looking services that simplify the launch of live production workflows, and enhance real-time collaboration
By Jen...
14/02/2025
The claim by the liquidators is the latest twist in the ongoing saga of the companys collapse at the end of 2021
By Matthew Corrigan
Published: February 14, ...
14/02/2025
A carriage dispute between YouTube TV and Paramount could come to a head today (Feb. 13), with the virtual pay TV provider threatening to pull all of the progra...
14/02/2025
ENGLEWOOD CLIFFS, N.J. LG Electronics USA has opened a new in-house, state-of-the-art virtual production studio at its 360,000-square-foot North American headqu...
14/02/2025
NEW YORK In a bid to help local broadcasters find new ways of monetizing their content, the Coalition for Innovative Media Measurement (CIMM) and TVB have relea...
14/02/2025
WASHINGTON Three Democratic U.S. Senators have sent a stern letter blasting FCC Chair Brendan Carr for the weaponization of the agency for attacking broadcast...
14/02/2025
Years after launching the streaming service Apple TV+ in November of 2019, Apple has finally released a version of its steaming app for Android devices....
14/02/2025
FOOTHILL RANCH, Calif. Red Digital Cinema will make its V-RAPTOR [X] and KOMODO-X camera systems available with Nikon's premier Z Mount, providing filmmaker...
14/02/2025
DAYTONA, Fla. The Fox Sports production of this year's Daytona 500 will see the addition of a few new tech elements and the continued unfolding of the broad...
14/02/2025
Watch Bryson Battles Blind Audition on The Voice Get a Four-Chair Turn Michael Bubl said the Boston Conservatory at Berklee musical theater senior might have...
14/02/2025
2025 Daytona 500: FOX Sports Looks To Ride Super Bowl LIX Momentum Into NASCAR S...
14/02/2025
14 Feb 2025
VEON's Kyivstar and the Come Back Alive Foundation Raise USD 2....
14/02/2025
Max Renews THE PITT, Starring Noah Wyle, For A Second Season
Max
Warner Bros. Television Group
The Pitt
New Episodes Of The Medical Drama From John...
14/02/2025
This year, Technicolor proudly celebrates 110 years of shaping the magic of cinema pioneering color, visual effects, and innovation that bring unforgettable l...
14/02/2025
NBA All-Star: More Games, More Teams, More Music, More Sound From the Court Turner Sports' team will deploy familiar tech to capture all the audio By Dan D...
14/02/2025
LIV Golf Continues To Innovate With Drones, Data-Driven Graphics, and All-Access...
Here's How Fox Sports Created a One-of-a-Kind Set for its Veterans Day Fox NFL Sunday Show in Annapolis The onsite production showcased the United States Naval Academy By Jason Dachman, Chief Editor 
