As a seasoned gamer with a soft spot for technology and its applications in real-life scenarios, I must say that NBC’s 2024 election coverage has left me thoroughly impressed and entertained! The advanced mixed reality technology they’ve employed to create these immersive studio sets using Epic Games’ Unreal Engine is nothing short of groundbreaking.
Spectators watching NBC’s 2024 election broadcast on November 5 could reasonably believe they are right in the heart of New York’s Rockefeller Plaza, with Steve Kornacki’s “Big Board” seemingly just steps away from a window overlooking the White House on MSNBC.
The coverage for this year’s election by both NBC and MSNBC will come from their headquarters at 30 Rock, but not live from the street. Instead, they are utilizing cutting-edge mixed reality technology to make it seem like the anchors are actually in NBC’s Rockefeller Plaza and MSNBC outside the White House grounds. This virtual environment is being constructed using Epic Games’ Unreal Engine.
The final outcome is quite striking, as 30 Rock’s 69 stories appear to tower over the anchors during NBC’s broadcast (with data and graphics being displayed on the facade of the digital structure). Additionally, the White House is just a few paces away from Kornacki’s large screen.
See the NBC virtual set here:
And the MSNBC set here:
During a recent studio tour at 30 Rock, Marc Greenstein, NBC News and MSNBC’s senior VP of design and production, guided The Hollywood Reporter through their technological strategies. He admitted to feeling somewhat apprehensive about certain technologies, but overall, he expressed satisfaction with the direction things are heading.
As a gamer, I’ve got an advantage that others don’t – our gaming arena is none other than the iconic Rockefeller Center! Greenstein points out that this historic backdrop not only adds authenticity but also allows for some fantastic storytelling. Thanks to cutting-edge technology, we can make the most of this challenging space and create an immersive experience like never before!
To be sure, Rockefeller Plaza, with its rich past, presents challenges when it comes to live broadcasts. For instance, Studio 8H, which has been the long-time residence of Saturday Night Live, is surprisingly compact compared to numerous studios found in Los Angeles.
During the Great Depression, they constructed a building specifically designed for radio broadcasts. Later on, they decided to convert it into a TV studio as well,” Greenstein explains. “We wouldn’t give up 30 Rock for anything. We’re curious: How can we capture some of that big-studio magic, and more importantly, how can we utilize this expansive space as a platform for our narrative? Because tonight is all about data.
As an enthusiastic viewer tuning into NBC and MSNBC, I’m eagerly anticipating the data to take center stage. Every bell and whistle in their technology and design is meticulously crafted to support this grand objective.
At the MSNBC studio, the anchor desk where Rachel Maddow and her co-anchors will be seated offers a clear view of Steve Kornacki and his data board. For those intrigued viewers, there’s also the option to watch a “Kornacki Cam” on Peacock, which streams uninterrupted footage of Kornacki and his work. Interestingly, this camera is mounted onto Kornacki’s desk using a suction cup, allowing for live discussions or analysis based on what he’s observing.
On NBC, viewers may observe Rockefeller Plaza as the backdrop for the anchors, but it’s important to note that the studio is strategically positioned within the newsroom itself. This means that Tom Llamas’ large monitor, which he frequently references, is only a few steps away. Similarly, just like on MSNBC, Lester Holt and Savannah Guthrie will have a clear view of what Tom is focused on because they are in close proximity to the newsroom, which shares a wall with the set.
Greenstein explains that the main goal was to conduct our live broadcast directly from within the newsroom hub. This means that any journalists present in the newsroom, regardless of whether they’re usually on camera or not, can be quickly accessed right from the studio itself. Instead of maintaining a clinical setting where anchors sit and reporters are dispersed, we wanted the flexibility to seamlessly transition between the set and talk directly with a journalist.
Inside the control room, Greenstein instructed the cameraman to showcase the desired angle, transitioning from the intensely virtual backdrop to the actual newsroom setting. He then focused the camera on a chair and desk that, by Tuesday, will be occupied by Chuck Todd.
He mentions that with a simple button press, we can switch on the lights and move the camera, even allowing Lester and Savannah to walk over and converse with the journalists. This new space is expected to be engaging as it allows us to transition seamlessly from the anchor desk to the newsroom reporters, or vice versa, without complicated staging or phone calls.
Primarily, NBC’s technological endeavors focus on ensuring transparency in data handling, particularly considering the 2020 election, during which the timing of specific calls created a sense of perplexity for many.
Greenstein states, “At the beginning of every election, it’s crucial to analyze the data. We want the audience to clearly see the data as well as the votes being counted in real-time, and present it in a manner that is both comprehensible and transparent, given the unique nature of this election. This is where we started our process, which ultimately led us to explore different methods for visualizing data.
In this context, the large screens, or “Big Boards,” are used to highlight crucial information and their presenters, such as Kornacki and Llamas, become the focal point of the activity being displayed on the sets.
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2024-11-01 16:25