Every FIFA World Cup is a trigger for SuperSport, one of the most successful providers of televised sports coverage across the African continent, to motivate for a studio revamp. In time for the 2018 FIFA World Cup, that kept many viewers glued to their couches, Michael Gill of MGD had the vision to completely change the look and feel of the iconic Studio 6. His concept was brought to fruition by Gearhouse SDS who built the set, while DWR Distribution supplied the foundation, a Prolyte grid, from which the set and lighting equipment is hung.
Having designed numerous sets for SuperSport in the past, designer Michael Gill presented a 3D mock-up model of the fresh studio. “We could all see that this was going to be special,” said Jacques Barnard, Vision Control and Lighting Supervisor at SuperSport. “Moving away from curves and rounded edges, the new corporate looking set has strong, angular lines with at least ten different zones or presentation areas. The production team loves all the options made available to them. I suspect this design is going to lead the way. It’s very new and something we haven’t seen before.”
To keep the show running during the installation period, Ryan Toerien, producer/director and broadcast operations manager at SuperSport, created a make-shift studio in the corporate building across the road at MultiChoice City. “We ran a fiber line from the control room to the building and basically created a ‘remote production’ and it worked beautifully,” said Barnard. “Ryan had the foresight to utilize the space during the project, and our viewers have become so accustomed to the look that we are considering using it after the World Cup.”
There is a renewed energy seen at SuperSport. “The team has a sparkle in their eyes, they want to explore the new spaces and be creative in the newly revamped studio to add value to the production,” ended Barnard. “Everyone is excited; there’s a buzz, it’s fresh and has ignited us all.”
Full coverage of the SuperSport studio revamp will be featured in the September/October edition of ETech Magazine. Subscribe here to receive your copy.
