By: Brian Stockmaster

Content studios are the beating heart of media production and, as multifaceted environments, these studios should be carefully designed and equipped to maximize flexibility and adaptability. Using layers of technology, strategically positioned lighting, and a variety of screens and backdrops offers boundless possibilities for producers and creatives to bring their visions to life in an immersive way.

Solutions for Flexibility and Adaptability

Selecting technology that optimizes flexibility and adaptability is key. The chosen solutions should be scalable to accommodate growing needs, offer seamless integration with other systems, and feature a modular design for easy customization. Ranging from solutions like scenery on wheels to entirely motorized rigs equipped with automatic stop/start functions, mobile components allow for multiple configurations based on content.

One of the most flexible methods of moving scenery—particularly for virtual production—is an overhead track. A manual system can be effortlessly maneuvered by the user, allowing them to reconfigure the space quickly as needed. These tracks operate like a shower door and provide easy guidance without incurring the additional programming costs of an automated system when changes are made.

Tracking scenery plays a vital role in content production, offering several benefits to enhance the quality and creativity of visual media. Scenery tracking enables precise scenic and technology placement to reconfigure the space in new and exciting ways. This creates various environment types in which to shoot content without fabricating new scenery. And, for serialized content, the setups are easily repeatable. With more unique looks and options, additional content can be created within the space, giving companies a higher return on their investment.

The Creative Vision

By utilizing flexible and adaptable technology and scenery, while leveraging a team of experts, companies can best align their content with their creative vision and allow their teams to bring their ideas to life in a dynamic media landscape.

Achieving the creative vision starts with seeking designers who employ a user-centric approach based on the current and forecasted needs of the client. By considering use cases and growth plans, broadcast studios can be designed in anticipation of how the space is, and will be, used. Making sure there is a seamless transition and ensuring the proper training, manuals, and continuous support is imperative to helping the client understand and use their new studio. During the final rehearsal days before hand-over, it is advantageous to observe how the studio is being used and what provisions the client is taking to use the space efficiently so adjustments can be made to facilitate success after completion. Being present during training can also help identify any areas of improvement in the design or training.

Technology and scenic elements play a crucial role in enhancing broadcast studios. By prioritizing flexibility, strategically layering technology, and engaging like-minded experts and designers, studios can achieve cutting-edge content that is relevant now and in the future.

About the Author: As managing director of Emmy-nominated architecture and design firm, Provost Studio, Brian Stockmaster helps leaders at not-for-profits and Fortune 500 companies explore their best ideas and bring them to life through captivating, state-of-the-art broadcast studios. With a career history spanning more than 25 years, Stockmaster has worked with some of the most prominent scenic fabrication shops in the United States, supporting a diverse range of high-level collaborators. Stockmaster’s leadership is rooted in cutting-edge, practical know-how to deliver custom solutions for even the toughest technical and fabrication challenges. His projects span Broadway (Lion King, Aida, Annie Get Your Gun), network and cable television (NBC, ABC, ESPN, FOX), special events (Election Night in Grant Park for President Obama, Garden in the City for the City of Chicago), corporate events (Ford, GM, Jeep, UPS, Chase), museums (Shedd Aquarium, Field Museum), and architecture/branded environments (Disney, Universal Studios, Home Depot, Westin Hotel Group/Tishman Hotel).