RELEASES

Scene 1 from Fox Super Bowl 
PreGame Show Promo Spots
Image:  720 x 486 pixels, 
72 dpi, 191 Kb.  sbpg1m.jpg
300 dpi version upon request.


Scene 2 from Fox Super Bowl 
PreGame Show Promo Spots
Image:  720 x 486 pixels, 
72 dpi, 222 Kb.  sbpg2m.jpg
300 dpi version upon request.

Scene 3 from Fox Super Bowl 
PreGame Show Promo Spots
Image:  720 x 486 pixels, 
72 dpi, 192 Kb.  sbpg3m.jpg
300 dpi version upon request.

Scene 4 from Fox Super Bowl 
PreGame Show Promo Spots
Image:  720 x 486 pixels, 
72 dpi, 204 Kb.  sbpg4m.jpg
300 dpi version upon request.

Scene 5 from Fox Super Bowl 
PreGame Show Promo Spots
Image:  720 x 486 pixels, 
72 dpi, 223 Kb.  sbpg5m.jpg
300 dpi version upon request.

Scene 6 from Fox Super Bowl 
PreGame Show Promo Spots
Image:  720 x 486 pixels, 
72 dpi, 191 Kb.  sbpg6m.jpg
300 dpi version upon request.

Contacts:
Roger Darnell
DWA for a52
828.264.8898

For Immediate Release

HOLLYWOOD – Feb. 1, 2002 – Visual effects company a52 today announced details of their visual effects and design work for Fox Sports Net for the Fox Super Bowl 36 PreGame Show set for 1:30 PM EST on Sun., Feb. 3.  The :30 series of spots which count down to the big show debuted on Sun., Jan. 18.

The spots feature multiple layers of dramatic, high-contrast imagery, composited with text and other graphic elements and extensively effected by a52 visual effects team, whose efforts were orchestrated by a52’s project producer Leighton Greer.

Each spot begins with a sequence that promotes the event’s “Tribute to America” theme, then segues into a visual rundown of the performers slated to appear, wherein footage of the bands appears underneath their superimposed names.  The spots promote the scheduled live performances by U2, Paul McCartney, No Doubt, Mariah Carey, Marc Anthony, Mary J. Blige, The Barenaked Ladies, and The Boston Pops.

Scott Bantle is senior vice president and creative director for Fox Sports and Fox Sports Net on-air promotions, and also served as the project director and production designer.  “There were a variety of challenges as we attempted to quickly integrate so many musical acts in such a short period of time,” Bantle said.  “a52’s team helped us resolve all of these problems.”

Detailing a52’s approach to resolving this challenge, Greer explained, “We decided to take the footage of all the bands and string it together like a piece of film.  This created negative space to feature the graphic type in, this way the type wasn’t directly connected to the picture – but rather was in front of it.  When the composited imagery turns, the type perspective changes with the picture.”

"By colorizing and applying contemporary visual design to the framework and titles for the musical acts, a52’s team made a big contribution to the finished spots,” Bantle added.

a52’s team also used Inferno’s new 3D Tracker feature to add logos and text to the end-tag, where the on-air team stands illuminated to one side of the frame. 

“Because the Inferno has a three-dimensional space, on that end-tag, the team was able to set-up the logo and text to make them feel as if they were part of the picture by rotating them into it,” Greer continued.  “We also added light effects that turned on when the natural lights on the guys turned off, which really adds to the overall impact.”

Neal Tiles is Fox Sports’ executive vice president of marketing, and the creative team for Fox Sports also included Bill Battin as senior producer. 

a52’s project team was led by managing director Rick Hassen and executive producer Darcy Leslie Parsons.

Postproduction credits for The Post Group include editor Ray Clarke and sound designer Mick Brooling. 

R!OT Santa Monica’s Clark Muller was the telecine artist.

About a52
Established in 1997 as a home for the very latest high-end photo-real visual effects technologies and the industry’s most innovative and talented graphic design artists, visual effects company a52 creates award-winning imagery for the world’s most visually ambitious commercial and television projects.  Having relocated to Santa Monica in 2007, the company’s work has earned AICP Show recognition for 11 consecutive years along with recent “Outstanding Commercial” Emmy, Andy, BDA, Belding, Clio, British Design and Art Direction, International Monitor, International Automotive Advertising, London International Advertising, One Show and PROMAX awards.  For more information, please call 1.310.586.0650 or visit www.a52.com.

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