This coming Sunday, SportsCenter’s 11 p.m. ET edition will be the first to originate from ESPN’s brand new, 194,000-square-foot Digital Center 2. The building will be home to SportsCenter, all NFL studio shows and other, yet to be determined, programming.
This week, Front Row will introduce fans to a small sampling of the men and women who were behind the mammoth undertaking as they share what the new building will mean for them and for you.
Gabe Goodwin
Title: Coordinating Producer
Years at ESPN: 9
How will your job change because of new studio/building?
I’m eager to develop new social/digital content in our new production annex in Studio XA. We’ll be working hard to find new winning ideas for the second screen fans of SportsCenter.
What do you see as the biggest impact on viewers?
I think video will be a bigger star and fans will be appreciative whenever we let the set amplify cool shots, especially internet video. The kinds of video that works on phones belongs on TV in huge monitors. . . and now we’ve got em.
What is your favorite “This is SportsCenter” commercial?
Too many good ones to pick but Scott Van Pelt in Rich Beem’s trunk is a classic.
Tim Schult
Title: Senior Director, Production Operations
Years at ESPN: 13
Tell us about your role in helping to creating the new SportsCenter set and DC-2.
I represent Production Operations in the technical build out of DC-2, working closely with Technology and Engineering to ensure the DC-2 technical facilities will meet the ever-growing production demands, now and in the future.
There is a tremendous amount of new technology and creativity that went into the new SportsCenter production space. I, along with a great team of Production Operations management, Operations Specialists and operators, provided input to the operational and technical design of the building. The Production Operations teams also helped test and “fax” out systems, as well as offered training for the hundreds of staffers who will work on the launch of SC2014. It’s an exciting time for the company and I am proud of the teams that were assembled that helped bring the DC-2 vision to reality.
What is your favorite feature of DC-2?
That is hard to pinpoint. There are so many technological advancements to be amazed by it is hard to choose just one – but the central shading area is high on that list. Creating an environment of collaboration and control for the video operators to perform their duties was extremely challenging and promises to play a vital role in the success of the 2014 launch.
What is your favorite “This is SportsCenter” ad?
I think one of my favorites was Jay Harris not wanting to get in the elevator with the New Jersey Devils mascot.
