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On a private tour of the SABC's new SABC Broadcast Centre inside the Sandton Convention Centre last week - the SABC's centralized nerve centre for its coverage of the 2010 FIFA World Cup, I got to talk to Trudy Mackay, manager: special projects at the SABC who was responsible for the truly breathtaking set that cost R3 million to build.
I asked her about what unexpected complication arose during the set construction, when the set will be dismantled again, what the really expensive equipment is and even how these high gloss floor and surface areas will stay that way. Trudy Mackay talks about the set, the infrastructure behind it, she reveals some interesting behind-the-scenes security issues and how it was resolved, and tells me what about the on-set experience is emotional for her.
For my full interview with Trudy Mackay and some more incredible pictures I took of the SABC's set at the SABC Broadcast Centre in the Sandton Convention Centre, click on READ MORE below.
What went easier than expected regarding the construction of this SABC set at the SABC Broadcast Centre here inside the Sandton Convention Centre?
Ooh, nothing was easy! The lighting was amazing. The guys really worked very hard and they pulled it off.
And logistically? What was logistically more difficult than what you originally envisioned to do and get a set here?
There was a lot of surprises. For example the seating on the sides - because we've got this beautiful, beautiful screen in the middle - is the viewing. The big screen is fantastic for the live in-studio audience if you're sitting in the right place. The minute you move a bit to you're extreme left and right, there's a bit of a challenge. Not much, but what I've picked up so far is just the vibe in this space is just something else.
Obviously being based here and FIFA themselves based here and right across the street, all the heavy security - is that complicating things getting things in and moving stuff in and out?
We've done a thorough production schedule. Also for us, I will be honest, didn't realize how big it all was. Schematics give you an idea, but luckily we've done this sort of thing before. We were able to do a nice build-up schedule. We did things in phases. Some parts and procedures also worked in parallel. When we moved the set in, we just did set. Then we started doing infrastructure - we have our production offices at the back. Then you have the infrastructure in terms of the fitting rooms. So we did everything in phases and there wasn't too much of a drama. It all worked out quite nicely. There have been the odd challenge with FIFA being here for the FIFA congress and their security guards not giving us access to some areas but we worked around it. The venue itself is amazing. When we had problems we would pick up the phone and they would come and liaise with other people and talk to FIFA security and say ''Come on guys, we're all here in the same venue, lets help each other out.''
How long will the SABC Broadcast Centre stay up? It's now up and its beautiful and then you always have to start thinking of breaking it all down again.
I know! On 11 July is our last broadcast and on the 12 July, crrrrrrkkkk. Its over.
Can you tell me about some of the really expensive stuff that's in here?
Uhm, the big screen, the two projectors that we had to import to get the proper picture quality and also if the one maybe went down we have one on standby. The set itself is expensive.
I saw the one guy cleaning the surface area of the set - obviously its high gloss. How often is somebody going to have to mop and shine the set's shiny surface?
That's a tricky one! What we decided to do is bring in those dust trappers for people's feet, so they're actually going to be polishing the floor while they walk.
What are you looking forward to the most?
We have the liberty and freedom to work in such a great environment such as this. The danger is that you could take it for granted. Ordinary people are being invited into this and to experience this set and to come and experience television. That for me is such an emotional thing. I just want to sit and observe normal people when they see this place and this space for the first time.
From when you first started taking on this project for the SABC as well to get the SABC Broadcast Centre established here and get this magnificent to look like this, what has been the biggest thing that you had to give attention to that you can now say, ''I've done it,'' with all of this now standing here?
To lift the set from a visual drawing to a live format. It translated even better from paper to real life - the size, the impact when you see it and the magnitude of the set. It gives you a sense of the muscle of the SABC. This is how the SABC is able to project what the South African public broadcaster is capable of. When you as an ordinary viewer see and watch from home, what we want to convey with this set is something of the essence of the size of this event. The set has such detail. It's not just an ordinary TV set with just lights. We can claim our space as the SABC with pride.
ALSO READ: Revealed! How the SABC's high gloss set at the SABC Broadcast Centre will look for the World Cup.
ALSO READ: The SABC completes construction of its shimmering, high gloss SABC Broadcast Centre for the World Cup.
