Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1438629
painted backings to obtain much greater visual depth. They look so real at times, it is hard to tell if you are outside or inside a production studio. s technology advances, it gives each designer a new palette to work and design with. It's always a fun and creative challenge to upcycle pieces to stretch the set budget to go as far as possible. The rt epartment likes to repurpose existing set elements for new set designs by adding awnings, new signage, paint and set dressing to create entirely different looks. n fact, whenever Wheel of Fortune goes on the road to tape shows in different locations, thats when the team's ingenuity and creativity shine. We not only have to create a television studio out in places that aren't designed with video production in mind, but we also try to design set pieces that can be utilized later to create other design concepts for the regular season. Wheel of Fortune has taped the show on location sityfie times in a ariety of cities across the nited States. few of the locations wee worked in include adio ity usic all in ew ork, The rand le pry in ashille, Tennessee, isney orld in rlando, lorida, onention enters, various hotels in Las Vegas, and even on an aircraft carrier. One of my favorite Wheel of Fortune remote sets was from the shows taped in allas. t was the first remote location where we were able to design the set around a famous sculpture, the magnificentMustangs of las Colinaslocated at illiams Suare in ring, Teas. These mustangs were created as drawings in uto by Set esignerssistant rt irector ody acla. Seeral statues of the horses were then fabricated to match the original sculpture. These individual mustang statues were placed to appear to be running across the set in front of the allas skyline at sunset. e added a western town and a wrought ironmetal silhouette of a cowboy herding cattle over the puzzle board. Shaun age, the ssistant rt irectorset decorator, and eather eristo, set decorator, had a great time dressing the set with authentic western décor. The entire set was backed with a painted sky drop, which was lit from both the front and the back. ighting designer eff ngel created a sunset on the sky drop that changed color during the taping of each show and included a setting sun for the A. AMERICA THE BEAUTIFUL SET FEATURIING CUSTOM DESIGNED DURATRANS FABRICATED BY JC BACKINGS. PHOTO BY CAROL KAELSON. B. SEAWORLD REMOTE FULL STAGE. PHOTO BY CAROL KAELSON. C. DALLAS REMOTE FAMILY WEEK. PHOTO BY CAROL KAELSON. D. DALLAS REMOTE SET DETAIL. PHOTO BY CAROL KAELSON. E. & F. PORTLAND REMOTE. CONSTRUCTED ON A CONVENTION CENTER FLOOR IN A MATTER OF DAYS. PHOTOS BY CAROL KAELSON. A B