Just launched for the opening day of the Indian Premier League, Viacom18-owned JioCinema is celebrating the arrival of a broadcast environment unlike any other.
Viacom18’s vision of a one-of-a-kind, metaverse inspired virtual sports broadcast complex was a challenging mandate which included shapeshifting studio spaces that could cater to a variety of broadcast concepts.
Clickspring Design brought this vision to life. A virtual studio system modelled in Unreal Engine by Sequin AR, the sprawling, virtual campus is a mixture of traditional broadcast studios supported by expansive, virtually produced environments, set against the landscape of Viacom18’s broadcast home, Mumbai.
Physical broadcast spaces are visually located within the virtual concept, which includes a variety of bespoke architecture arranged around a circular park of various sports pitches, all venues for virtual broadcasts.
IPL’s opening day saw digital viewership soar by 51% compared to its debut last season, with over 111 million fans tuning into JioCinema, generating 590 million video views and amassing 6.6 billion minutes of watch time during a thrilling match between Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Chennai Super Kings.
Don’t miss the chance to learn more! Join Clickspring and Sequin AR in Las Vegas at NABSHOW on April 15 at 1:00 pm as they delve into the details of this groundbreaking project at the Unilumin Booth, C2316. Save your spot for an insightful glimpse into the future of broadcasting! 🚀
Clickspring Design and Sequin AR, two established agencies specializing in broadcast media environments for TV and film, are now collaborating to expand capabilities and address the evolving needs of the industry.
Bringing together nearly 20 years of experience for clients such as CNN, ESPN, NBC, ABC, and more, Clickspring Design is recognized globally for its creative leadership in set design, broadcast lighting design, live events, and branded interiors.
Sequin AR, an internationally established full-service 3D studio, specializes in cutting-edge virtual production and technical implementation, having delivered award-winning projects for Apple+, Disney, Mariah Carey, Madonna and more.
The collaboration aims to provide clients with a comprehensive solution by integrating the strengths of both organizations. Clickspring’s expertise in established broadcast design principles will complement Sequin AR’s proficiency in innovative virtual production asset creation and technology.
The strategic alliance ensures that clients can leverage the latest advancements in virtual production without compromising the core principles of production flexibility, user-friendly controls, and the highest standards of quality for the on-air product.
“We’re thrilled to be working with Sequin AR. Together, our practices can now provide industry-leading solutions that enable our clients with the ability to succeed in the dynamically evolving worlds of broadcast and communications,” said Steven Dvorak, General Manager at Clickspring Design.
“I am thrilled that we are working with the Clickspring team. Their design work is amazing, and we are fortunate to work with such a great group of people.” said Robert DeFranco, CEO at Sequin AR.
Clients of Clickspring Design and Sequin AR can expect a pragmatic integration of proven and cutting-edge design principles, ensuring a measured and thoughtful approach to addressing their communication objectives.
We’re honored and excited to announce that our work for the MSNBC 2020 Election Coverage has been nominated for an Emmy Award in the category of Outstanding Lighting Direction and Scenic Design!
In a year wrought with challenges and workflow hurdles never before seen, we are so proud of what our team was able to accomplish. MSNBC’s Studio 3A offered a strong base and canvas for our team to create a dynamic home base for the star-studded anchor rotation covering election night and the subsequent days after.
Updates to the iconic MSNBC star-desk, first designed and launched during the 2020 convention coverage, allowed for anchors to social distance while maintaining the sleek illuminated acrylic elements. Lifting the editorial space into the narrative of election night, color changing lightboxes and coordinated wall cladding were added into the newsroom.
Perhaps one of the most important updates, the efforts of implementing scenic contextual support for Augmented Reality graphics. As we watch the broadcast industry move into realms of augmented and virtual reality, the need for flexible spaces that can host a variety of moods, narratives, and formats. While exploring unreal engine, our designers have been getting a feel of the value great AR/VR graphics can add to a space’s storytelling.
We’re looking forward to seeing the awards being announced live this coming fall. As always, we owe a large thank you to our clients, partners, and vendors for helping us bring this space to life.
The world of Broadcast offers the opportunity to shape and engage our world; we take tremendous pride in the work that defines the Clickspring Design Portfolio. In a competitive year for the Broadcast Production Awards, with over 200 entries worldwide, we’re excited to share that two of our 2020 projects have taken home three winning trophies while three other Clickspring projects snagged an Honorable Mention.
Master planning the entire 57,000 broadcast facility in the Dubai International Financial Centre in the UAE, Clickspring was given the opportunity to convey Asharq’s broadcast truth of transparency through a built corporate environment. Cutting edge technologies throughout highlight not just the broadcast studio space, but editorial spaces, briefing rooms, and lounge areas alike. Avoiding the limits of traditional “black box” studios, Clickspring opened the studios to their newsrooms while integrating the control rooms into the on-air look, as well. These decisions required careful attention to acoustic and editorial workflows, but serve to visually reinforce the ideals of openness and accessibility both internally and on-air. Lifting the occupied building floors into a design worthy of a top-media-player, Asharq News boasts an unrivaled array of broadcast studios and support infrastructure for the global network. Asharq News launched November 11th, 2020.
News Nation debuted September 1st in prime time to a national audience on WGN America. Clickspring contributed the scenic design of the studio, as well as a 12,000 square foot newsroom that features over 2,000 square feet of state of the art, open broadcast space. The signature technology feature of the set is a bank of six tall, portrait LED displays that anchor the north end of the space. Equipped with the ability to both pivot and track horizontally, the units can showcase individual news stories or combine to create large super-graphics that span the length of the studio. With a precise, quiet, and automated system, these displays’ movements often become a dramatic part of the show blocking, itself. With bespoke elements incorporated into the broadcast facilities entire footprint, News Nation conceptualized their mission and themselves while revitalizing their constituencies.
Organic undulations and a sweeping tornado center, Beijing Meteorological Bureau stands out as a truly one-of-a-kind broadcast environment. The vast majority of BMB’s scenery was fabricated by CNC-sculpted form. Components were printed in 1-meter by 1-meter sections that were then seamed together and blended onsite. Areas with special lighting features and integrated LED tiles utilize fiberglass that was sculpted to seamlessly frame the technology. The result is a continuous, clean aesthetic with sleek edges inspired by natural weather patterns. This CNC-sculpted form represents a pivotal moment for the future of fabrication technologies available to the broadcast industry at large. BMB Launched February of 2020.
The annual CNN Heroes program is known for celebrating hopeful stories and triumphant humans across the globe. A favorite recurring project for us here at Clickspring design, we look forward to seeing the new faces each year who help this world become a better place. The broadcast event has historically been held in the American Museum of Natural History’s Milstein Hall of Ocean Life, with the star-studded live audience celebrating the important work of the nominees under the famous life-sized model Blue Whale. As the risks of an audience event in 2020 grew due to the ongoing threat of the Covid-19 virus, the CNN team was forced to reimagine the format of the event while maintaining the splendor and hope of the Heroes annual broadcast
Working to revitalize Al-Arabiya’s live network shows and reengage a base audience – Clickspring unveiled an environment packed with new technology, studios, and working spaces. Bringing the space into the next generation of journalism, Al Arabiya Dubai Headquarters utilizes new immersive technology to build a glossy bridge between the screen and viewer. Rather than adhering to a prescribed 16:9 aspect ratio, LED displays were assigned size and proportions that respond to the needs of the content and the nature of the narrative used to communicate the story. Al Arabiya Launched May of 2020.
Above all, we would like to thank our extraordinary, creative, and thoughtful staff who have breathed life into every space we are fortunate enough to work with. In addition – our incredible clients who place their trust in us, and our partners who help our visions become a built reality. We’re on the edge of our seats thinking about what’s to come in the future.
A spring season that has been highlighted by innovative launches, exciting partnerships, and a BroadcastProME award.
Located in Dubai, UAE, Asharq News headquarters was recognized with the “Most Innovative 2020” BroadcastProME award for their groundbreaking facilities and outstanding editorial production. Asharq has established itself as one of the region’s most watched networks across a multitude of platforms.
Highlighting the flexible 360 degree studio for BBC Washington and the creativity utilized this year for CNN Heroes, we’re excited to show you our recently completed projects.
Along with new launches, new partnerships seasoned our spring with an exciting energy. Working with Junior Achievement of New York, our team has been volunteering to help give young people the knowledge and skills they need to own their economic success, plan for their futures, and make smart academic and economic choices.
Just wait and see what’s to come this summer season!
Opportunities that seemed certain were suddenly in limbo, and projects already under construction around the world were introduced to myriad logistical challenges as schedules and budgets simultaneously grew tighter and less predictable.
Finding new ways to coordinate with our partners and clients became critical as creative problem solving became the only way to address changing workflows required to meet our goals.
Concept work for News Nation’s sprawling studio and newsroom began in January, aiming to showcase a large, 360 degree broadcast space and a “future proofed” newsroom by early July.
The scale of the design brief called for the highest caliber applications of automated LED display technologies, lighting controls, luminaries, cameras to maximize the flexibility of the shooting plan.
By March, COVID-19 had asserted itself on the world, and it became clear that the project’s aggressive goals would need to be evaluated through a new lens.
Clickspring’s Chief Creative Officer, Emmett Aiello, reflects on the project:
“We responded quickly with safety and contingency plans and also got lucky. Supply chain delays didn’t hurt us as much as we thought they would and, more importantly, our partners stayed healthy. More than anything, we had good people on this team.”
Naturally, Zoom became a critical tool that made remote, daily workflows manageable and clear.
Virtual design workshops and presentations became the norm in favor of our traditional practice of intimate, hands-on design sessions.
Aiello continues:
“Our client had the vision needed to guide this huge project while recognizing practical hurdles and putting up with our endless requests for Zoom meetings about micro details like chair color and cable management.”
A process that previously involved spontaneous office pinups and over-the-shoulder collaboration between designers shifted into structured meetings and focused groupthinks – usually while keeping our fingers crossed that our internet connections held steady…
“We had an excellent lighting team in Eastern Lighting Design, who we often partner with, as well as technology partners AOTO and McCann Systems. Daylighting control was provided by Broadcast Blinds, and Bramco, Inc. and REES Architects provided general contracting and architectural expertise, respectively. We also had two of the best scenic fabricators in the country, Chicago Scenic Studios and Showman Fabricators, splitting the fabrication scope, which was the only way to get it done on schedule. They coordinated flawlessly, which is near to impossible on a 360 degree set where you are divvying up areas, but it all has to fit and meet cleanly at the seams.”
Behind the scenes, Adrienne Kapalko, Chief Operations Officer, remotely coordinated a broad and highly specialized team while also developing and implementing Clickspring’s stringent onsite protocols that ensured the safety of our personnel and team members.
These precautions included limiting access to spaces, enforcing PPE and mask requirements, and researching and adhering to local labor laws, as well as our client’s own facility guidelines.
Prioritizing safety without losing sight of the project goals was no small feat, and Kapalko accomplished these critical tasks while also maintaining a transparent budget and taut schedule.
Privately hosted YouTube livestreams allowed the hanging and focusing of lighting instruments to happen remotely, allowing our teams to view camera shots, talent blocking, and scenic adjustments made during rehearsals in real time. This allowed us to maintain the highest standard of design and project oversight despite the necessary geographic distance.
Totaling approximately 500 sq meters (approximately 5,400 sq feet) and incorporating a sweeping mezzanine catwalk, spiral staircase, three separate anchor desks, and an integrated flash studio, the facility’s program was comprehensive and technically complex.
With the help of our domestic and international partners, the project team stayed nimble and flexible, especially during the scenic fabrication process. As the construction happened locally to the project, in-person observation and normally scheduled quality-control checks were not possible.
In response, our Beijing-based project managers helped coordinate a fully digital observation process that made extensive use of mobile communication tools, such as WeChat. This small, experienced onsite group helped our decentralized team maintain momentum and respond to challenges quickly despite bridging time zones spanning from Beijing throughout the entirety of the continental United States.
Mick Smith, Vice President of Design of Eastern Lighting Design, highlights the helpfulness of reviewing real time camera feeds through Zoom:
It was definitely interesting … the plan of attack was to review the lights position by position. They would point the broadcast cameras at where we would be hanging lights and I would follow along and give them a “yes” or “no” or any feedback, and we ended up sticking to the positions we specified in advance.”
Other tasks that would typically be performed by ELD’s onsite team were managed and delegated to local lighting technicians. These tasks included programming DMX addresses for each fixture and diagramming its connection to the control system, for example.
When lacking direct access to the project site, it naturally takes longer to solicit detailed and thoughtful feedback relating to scenic configurations, camera blocking, sightlines, and lighting cues.
As a result, time became one of the project’s most valuable resources.
The daily project schedule was defined by the need to maintain constant communication between a team that included designers, project managers, program directors, technicians, and broadcast presenters. With so much extra time necessary for careful, distanced communication, this meant there was even less time for critical production and installation work among the various trades.
Nevertheless, the project launched on schedule, a testament to the talent and endurance of all parties involved.
During the sustained challenges presented by our rapidly changing world, our commitment to adaptation is what enables us to continue delivering cutting-edge broadcast spaces and branded environments.
Flexibility in our methods, and the willingness to pilot new approaches with our partners and clients, are what made each of these projects possible.
We’re eager to get back to workflows that bring back the face-to-face problem solving we love, but until that day we’re ready to tackle our next operational challenge with the same creativity that has produced some of the most recognizable environments in the world.
Having built our roots in the creative hub of New York City, we are constantly looking to grow and develop our company within the realms of creative arts. As our practice envelops new projects and work styles, we understand just how important professional creatives are. The talented individuals that comprise the Clickspring team range in background from architecture degrees, communications, finance and much more.
How thrilled we were to connect with Junior Achievement of New York. An organization dedicated to inspire and prepare young people to succeed in a global economy. Belief in the boundless potential of young people is a value we hope to take actionable steps to reinforce. Understanding that a creative industry takes a diverse background of talents and strengths is a message close to our operations and mutual appreciation for our coworkers.
Working with the amazing Junior Achievement team, a handful of Clickspring team members have been given the opportunity to present the workflow, nooks and crannies of our company. Emphasizing the many ways to keep creativity, productivity, and business all in the same bucket, we hoped to convey a message that there is no task to small when building something beautiful. Junior achievement preaches respect for the talents, creativity, perspectives, and backgrounds of all individuals. Belief in the power of partnership and collaboration across AV integration, drafting, designing, project managing, and financing thematically strung together the various presentations from Clickspring team – ultimately showcasing how each person contributes to our vast portfolio.
Being fortunate enough to spend time discussing a positive future for kids who may be interested in pursuing the arts is a privilege. The services that Junior Achievement offers to the youth of the area are invaluable and we’re so excited to continue working with them to grow our partnership. Cheers to many more workshops, presentations and fundraising trivia.
The recent incidents of violence against the AAPI and Asian-American community are alarming and indicative of a dangerous trend in America. Not enough has been done to protect Asian Americans from heightened levels of hate, discrimination, and violence. We must all unite against racism and bigotry. At Clickspring, we have a role in helping to present the news, and we have a responsibility to do our part to help prevent news like this from occurring in the first place. We support our AAPI friends, colleagues, family members and partners and condemn all violence. Moving forward we will be donating to groups that support affected communities and fight for justice. Many of us are also participating in bystander intervention courses through the organization Asian Americans Advancing Justice. We urge you to join us in any way you can #stopAAPIhate .
New and exciting things lie ahead for Clickspring Design, as projects keep coming in and ramping up, we are looking to hire a new Senior Design Lead within our ranks!
The primary charge of the Senior Design Lead is to produce award-winning design solutions based on client objectives and expectations, which include stringent schedule and budget parameters.
A new first for Clickspring Design, Cosmopolitan Magazine featured an inauguration article centered around CNN’s female anchor leads and their experiences covering the historic event.
Clickspring was engaged by CNN to update a variety of scenic pieces to ensure a safe broadcast equipped to maintain social distancing between talent for this coverage. This was just one of our many broadcast events and entertainment experiences that required updates to maintain safety during the Covid-19 era.
Pushing into new coverage and media territory is always exciting on our end. Check out the full article here.
