By MICHAEL P. HILL
SetStudio

PHILADELPHIA — WTXF's new set is all about options.

The set, which is housed in a street-level studio with windows looking over a busy intersection, stretches the creativity of the station's production and news staff, says Vice President of Creative Services Audrey Fish.

"The news department is always coming up with new shots," she said.

The Philadelphia Fox affiliate hired Florida-based FX Group to design and build the set as part of a multi-year renovation that includes most of the entire building.

The flexibility begins with the windows - an increasingly popular feature of studios. During the design process, there were concerns about the amount and color temperature of the light coming into the studio. To counter this problem, designers had a 10 percent film installed that can roll down over the glass. In addition, solid black and white backgrounds were also put in.

The idea was the black could be used for the station's 10 p.m. show, which is being broadcast out of the street level studio while its permanent home upstairs is built. The white was put in just in case picketing or something unsightly happened on the street during the morning show, which is the studio's permanent tenant.

However, so far, the station's only used the 10 percent screen. Even at night, station executives liked the twinkling headlights that show up behind the anchors and decided to forgo using the black backgrounds.

The choices continue with the metal framework constructed around the windows, which are designed to look like Philadelphia's Benjamin Franklin bridge. Hidden behind the frames are red, yellow and blue lights that can illuminate the translucent spaces between the frames and the plexiglass logos that hang in front of the windows.
The plexiglass panels in front of the studio's windows.

So far, Fish said they've used the blue mostly - since it complements the anchors so well. She added crews can mix different light colors to create even more colors. For example, during a recent Irish dancing demonstration, they made the lighting green.

Hanging directly in front of the windows are rectangle plexiglass sheets with various logos etched into them. All told, the station has over 90 panels that can interchanged. To make changes quick and easy, the panels hang from hooked cables that can be slid left and right on tracks.

The panels range from simple station logos to branded ones for sports, health and other news.

Fish has found the panels help bring the viewers' focus to the anchors, rather than the street behind them but still allow the bustle to show through.

At the anchor desk, the options continue. The two flat panel monitors on either side can be slid to various locations, though right now they're being used as over the shoulder elements behind the anchors. In addition to these, two free-standing panels can be wheeled around the studio as well as flipped into either horizontal or vertical orientations.
The anchor desk with movable flat panel towers on each side.

The literal centerpiece of the studio also features a flat panel screen and is one of the Fish's favorite features of the set.

Interestingly, this element was born out of necessity. The studio's space previously housed a bank and a large structural pillar was in the middle of area planned for the studio.

While the pillar could have been removed, it would have added considerable cost to the project. So, FX Group found a way to incorporate the pillar into the set.

Painted to match the metal framework around the windows, the pillar has a circular track running around it. Attached to this is a flat panel screen that can swivel the entire way around the pillar.

Producers use this feature for reporter stand-ups and bump shots going to commercial breaks. Fish couldn't be happier with the look.

"It really makes the set," said Fish.
Wide shot of the set with the column at left.

In addition to these areas, the set also features an area that doubles as an interview and demonstration area. Set in front of an impressive span of windows, the area has three tables of different heights and styles as well as two interview chairs.

Rounding out the set are two "pods" - small, standalone sets without windows behind them. Instead, these sets utilize flat panel screens with duratrans backgrounds depicting cityscapes. One of these standup locations is used for weather and the other is a flexible area that can be used for a wide variety of purposes, such as special reports and live guests. This pod also doubles as an Internet reporting area - complete with a computer.
One of the pods.

The set is actually only a small part of a much bigger project. Almost the entire Market Street building is being renovated over the next few years - with the street-level studio being stage one.

It was this project that drew Fish to Philly from the Fox affiliate in Detroit. Being able to work on such extensive projects from the ground up is a rare opportunity that Fish couldn't pass up.

Eventually, the station will have a second studio on the third floor, adjacent to a brand-new newsroom, both of which are being designed by FX Group.

Plans are still sketchy and still some time down the road, but Fish hopes to include an update desk in the newsroom as well as a working weather center.