JOHN MURRAY PRODUCTIONS, Inc. Blog

Since our inception in 1989, John Murray Productions, Inc. has consistently grown in our capabilities. From a modest office space to a full scale scene shop, we have continually built our repertoire of skills, allowing for control over all aspects of the products and services we provide. Now meet our latest addition, a Shop Bot CNC router! This versatile machine can cut any vectored shape out of wood, plastic, metal and more. This amazing piece of machinery joined the shop at the end of 2011, and has already been put to great use. Now we have the capability of designing and fabricating a full range of products in a fraction of the time we may have previously spent, allowing for a more efficient and productive workshop. And with 2012 off to a swift start, the Shop Bot could not have come at a better time. From complicated custom built furniture to dimensional logos, the possibilities are endless! Feel free to contact us for your next custom build. In the meantime, check out the new machine in action by clicking here.

John Murray Productions, Inc. worked with event producers Cake Group to transform the space at San Francisco’s Regency Center into a sanctuary of death for the press release of THQ’s latest game, Darksiders II. The game features Death, one of the four horsemen of the apocalypse, seeking to avenge his brother War who brought destruction to earth in Darksiders I. The goal was to create an even creepier feel to the Regency Center, an old Mason’s building in Nob Hill, where press and video game gurus were invited to preview the game and celebrate afterwards with a party. We achieved this by building four life size crypt replicas to sit in the window alcoves found in the Lodge room. Additional custom details included skull and bone catacomb images cut into the wood detailed walls, and replications of the skull medallions found throughout the game, which were hand carved and painted to match the beautiful wood finishing. Large format images of underground crypts added to the creepy feel, and the use of gothic candelabras throughout the space completed the look. Game graphics were used to accent the Regency room, a branded space where guests were introduced to the look of the game with large format prints including an 8′ x 14′ graphic wall, three 4′ x 8′ graphic flats, and a dimensional logo adhered above the fireplace. The Candidate room was also utilized as the press interview room, with an 8′ x 18′ step and repeat for use as a backdrop. The client was extremely happy, and the event a great success!

The Charles Schwab Cup Championship was held at Harding Park in San Francisco, and event sponsor Chevron brought on John Murray Productions, Inc. to design a studio set for their Human Energy Station. The Human Energy Station was a created to give young visitors exposure to the world of professional sportscasting with a hands on demo in TV production. The challenge came in transforming the clubhouse at Harding Park into a TV studio, complete with industrial themed film set, cameras, green screen and editing station. We created the look through the replication of warehouse like elements including weathered concrete walls and corrugated siding. The set, which was designed to look like a laboratory within a warehouse, included a custom built lab desk for reporters with a traditional classroom chalkboard for the background. Custom iPad kiosks were also installed and used as learning stations for the student visitors. The event was a huge success, and JMP looks forward to helping them with similar events on the continuing PGA Tour.

Oakland artist Mario Chiodo’s four piece sculpture entitled “Remember Them: Champions for Humanity” honors humanitarians worldwide, and was commissioned by the City of Oakland to be placed at the Henry J. Kaiser park in downtown Oakland. The grand unveiling took place September 6th, and John Murray Productions, Inc. was proud to work with the Oakland Chamber of Commerce to manage the event from start to finish, including a dramatic unveiling of the 20′ tall $9 million sculptures. The unveiling drew a number of people from around the country who have ties to the humanitarians featured in the sculpture, including Malcolm X’s daughter; Oskar Schindler’s niece and the last living descendant of Frederick Douglass.

The 2011 Tech Awards, an annual event honoring individuals, non-profit organizations and for-profit companies who are using technology to improve human conditions around the world, were held this October at the Santa Clara Convention Center. John Murray Productions, Inc. in conjunction with McCune AV was on hand once again to fabricate and install the massive 154′ curved borderless screen. While re-purposing the giant screen we created for this event last year, we added a center curved section which allowed a gentle arc in the screen creating a seamless projection surface that practically spanned the entire length of the convention center’s largest hall. The look was striking, and dramatic. Photos courtesy of Charlotte Fiorito.

Porsche Rennsport Reunion IV brings together a gathering of notable Porsche vintage and current race cars, as well those who have driven them to victory in the world’s most famous sports car races. The triennial event was held at the famous Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca, and John Murray Productions, Inc. was called upon by Pierce Smart Fusion to create a custom scenic environment in which to display the iconic cars. The challenge came in fabricating such a complicated design under a tight timeline. The look was a clean and polished with white finishing throughout, providing the perfect space for drivers and spectators to interact with the brand. To learn more about the event and to see photos of our work, click here.

In conjunction with InVision Communications, John Murray Productions, Inc. designed, fabricated, and installed the set and lobby environment for the Silicon Valley Bank CEO Summit, held at the Computer History Museum in Mountain View. Guests of the event were greeted with stair graphics that led up to the second floor where the event was held. The set featured five 4′x12′ flats, wrapped in graphics created on our large format printer. Six matching banners were hung on the left and right side of the meeting room, creating a nice balance within the space. The look was finished with our Glo lectern and assorted leather seating.

Restoration Hardware held their annual sales convention this summer, and John Murray Productions, Inc. was brought on for the second year in a row by production group Grass Shack Media to design and fabricate the set for the plenary session held at the Intercontinental Hotel in San Francisco. We used the Restoration Hardware gray as the color for the set, which allowed for various color changes throughout the event as well as consistent brand representation. The teamResto dimensional logo served as the focal point for the stage, and was painted in the same hue as the rest of the set creating the illusion of the letters emerging from the back wall.

The biennial Nurses Convention took place this September at San Francisco’s Marriott Marquis, and John Murray Productions, Inc. was brought on once again to provide the scenic environment for this year’s Main Street theme. In collaboration with MetroMedia Productions, Inc. and BP Productions, we created an outdoor feel within the Yerba Buena level of the hotel by creating a Main Street America, complete with a local newspaper, internet cafe, technology library, medical center, and general store where guests could mingle and be educated on the Union cause. The main stage in the ballroom served as the Town Hall for the attendees throughout the event, transitioning to party zone in the evening where the nurses came to do karaoke and dance the evenings away. The Golden Gate level was also transformed for the Nurses’ continuing education courses, with the Mission Tunnel acting as the Nurses Art Gallery where images of union members in action were displayed on two 8′x20′ flatwalls. The 4 day event was designed to unite the nurses in their cause, with special guests Michael Moore and Governer Jerry Brown in attendance. Overall, the event was a huge success and the client extremely pleased with the outcome.

When Beringer Vineyards in St. Helena wanted an exclusive tasting room dedicated to their Knights Valley line of wines, John Murray Productions Inc., in collaboration with PS Communications, put on their interior designer hats and redefined the 16′ x 14′ space that previously existed as a meeting room within the winery’s tasting and retail space. Designer Jeremy Harris wanted to create a space that educated the guests and celebrated the unique ecology of Knights Valley, while reinforcing Beringer’s brand image.The challenge came in meeting these requirements within such a busy space with a limited time frame. We reached the solution by using a neutral and organic color palette that complimented the existing warm toned wood finishing, and dedicating each wall to one element of the design concept. After removing a door, patching the wall, and painting the space new light fixtures were brought in to provide both spot and ambient lighting. We dedicated one wall to the wines, with factoids describing each varietal and a 1/4″ dimensional logo and plasma with looping video. The center wall was dedicated to a 4′x8′ image of Knights Valley, while the left wall focused on the ecology of the vineyard. An enlarged illustrated vine acts as the focal point, with factoids describing the vineyard and its unique soils. Sepia toned images of the vineyard, and a map of the region finished the look of the space on the wall that featured an Enomatic, an automatic wine dispenser for tasters to use while perusing the room. The room was finished with the addition of a custom made bench and cabinet, featuring concrete work by The Ranch Group, LLC. and woodwork by JMP’s very own John Harrison. Photos courtesy of Darren Endo.