Emmys’ pivoting vertical video panels drive look, showcase nominees

The panels could also rotate to serve as “doors” for presenters to enter and exit through.

In addition, during the hosts’ opening monologue, the center two panels remained completely open, with the black base of the statuette behind them and number “70” positioned between the pair, with lighted risers and the gray sides of the video panels framing out the shot.

The video wall was also used to showcase oversized images of the Emmy statuette along with category name in large, clear typography.

There was an on-air proposal during the Emmys last night — which was either really cute or really tacky https://t.co/CIbgTvFPzs #BroadcastNews #TVNews pic.twitter.com/85jFl8nwJn

— TVNewsMix (@TVNewsMix) September 18, 2018

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To reveal the nominees, an animated rippled effect mimicked the look of one of the video panels turning — albeit faster than the actual panels turned, with a video clip of the first nominee appearing on the “space” revealed by the animation.

Simple, rectangular grayish blue lower thirds appeared listing each nominee — which could be viewed as a horizontal version of the tall video panel stacks — appeared under a clip.

After introducing the nominees, the production cut back to a wide view of the stage with expertly cropped photos of each nominee in a strong vertical space.

Why Donald Trump was the biggest #Emmys snub https://t.co/n1afr35kEX #BroadcastNews #TVNews pic.twitter.com/Ogx8W3N2Bm

— TVNewsMix (@TVNewsMix) September 18, 2018

After the winner was accounted, the video wall was fed a dramatic still shot taken from the winning production or of the winning actor.

Most of the shots were carefully framed so that, when closeups of the winner were shown on stage, the area of the photo behind them was relatively neutral.

Other graphical themes included large extruded 3D letters that “pushed out” from the flat surfaces shown on the video walls.