JOHN MURRAY PRODUCTIONS, Inc. Blog

The 2010 California Democratic Convention was held at the Los Angeles Convention center this year, and John Murray Productions, Inc. was brought in to create the look for the event. The scenic production included custom fabricated table and screen surrounds, branded dimensional signage, and drapery. The convention was a huge success, and the client very happy. We look forward to working with them again next year on the annual convention.

The Annual Academy of Friends Oscar night gala was held this year at Ft. Mason, with the theme “Behind the Seams.” John Murray Productions, Inc. provides production support and donates soft goods for the Bay Areas largest aids fund raiser. We also created an oversized zipper for the VIP lounge. The event is the largest Oscar party outside of Los Angeles with proceeds going to AIDS research, and John Murray Productions, Inc. is proud to be a part of this annual event since 1996.

For Giorgio Armani’s exclusive VIP event, John Murray Productions, Inc. was hired to create an elegant runway and dining room inside the Nieman Marcus in Bellevue, WA which was used to showcase the label’s latest collection. We transformed the space by creating a 44′ by 35′ enclosure in the center of the high end retailer’s showroom. VIPs were invited to dine after the show in a separate space created using custom built soji screens. The label’s branding was presented on black plexiglass and featured on the runway and in the dining area, further emphasizing the sophistication and classic appeal of the Giorgio Armani label.

John Murray Productions, Inc. was pleased to be a part of TED’s Mission Blue Voyage that took place this April. A collaboration between Sylvia Earle and TED, the five day cruise of the Galapagos Islands featured 100 esteemed guests and twenty-five inspiring speakers whose participation helped draw public attention to the urgent need for ocean protection. John Murray Productions, Inc. worked with Thinc Design and McCune Audio Visual to create the video studio onboard the National Geographic Endeavor. Our mission was to record and podcast approximately 30 episodes for the TED podcasts.  The set was shoehorned into the ships lobby, the  7′ ceiling caused considerable lighting challenges.   The scenic elements consisted of up lit layers of translucent fabric printed with underwater images and hung floor to ceiling utilizing magnets to rig the fabric to the ships low ceiling. There were a few hurtles to producing these podcasts, not the least of which was getting all the studio gear onto the ship via Zodiak boats. For more on Mission Blue click here.

News Clip

As far as I know this is the only truly interactive holiday lighting installation in the Bay Area.  We combined state-of-the-art LED lighting with a text messaging service to give visitors to Jack London Square control of 2500 full color LED lights.

Our original mission was to design and holiday treatment for the square at the foot of Broadway.  The new grove of palm trees seemed like the logical place to start.   The trees are planted in a 5 x 5 grid which creates a wonderful three dimensional canvas.  I decided that I wanted to play with intelligent lighting in this volumetric space.  The lights evoke a holilday tradition of lighting trees and the intelligent computer control would give visitors a fun interactive experience.

The system uses 25 power supplies from Color Kinetics that are all networked via a LAN.  We have two 50 node strings on each power supply.  The networked is managed by a Mac Mini and a Philips Video Server Engine.

Designed by John Murray

Custom programming was provided by the very talented John Taylor.

The text message service was underwritten by Msgme.com

Concept sketch

John Murray Productions, Inc. was hired as the design/fabrication team for the CNA House of Delegates at the San Francisco Marriott.  The challenges were threefold.  To design a stage set for the plenary room that was dynamic and allowed for a variety of uses (general sessions, awards dinner, delegates meeting); to design and install a multi-functional environment in the ballroom foyer; and to produce and creatively display all event graphics and signage.

In the foyer, we designed, fabricated, and installed four unique environments to meet the many needs of the California Nurses Association.  The first area consisted of four kiosks where attendees could send ‘health issue specific’ postcards directly to their elected representatives.  The second area was designed to assist attendees in understand the technology associated with various hospitals.  The third area provided access to counsellors on the many benefits CNA provides.  The fourth area was a 400 sq ft retail area for the selling of CNA branded merchandise.

Union Store CAD Rendering

Actual Photo of the Union Store

The ballroom set design consisted of a 14′ x 45′ wide RP screen, two 16′ x 16′ flat walls (located stage left and right) for oversize event graphics, and four 16′ x 16′ projection surfaces.  In the ceiling we designed and rigged two, 80′ x 50′ chandeliers, each consisting of over 250 plexiglass pieces, and lit with over 200 LED Color Blasts.  As the focus of the meeting in the ballroom changed from general session plenary, to awards and gala dinner, to delegate session, the four projection surfaces were utilized for slogans, video, and still photographic content.  Additionally, the lighting of the chandeliers and the room overall allowed for completely different environments without have to complete a room ‘change over’, saving time and money.

Main Ballroom Photo

Ceiling Treatment

Ceiling Detail

In partnership with Presentation Services Audio Visual, John Murray Productions Inc. was hired to design the layout, rigging and installation of a an Apple inspired backdrop for an Apple sales meeting where executives were invited to learn about some of their latest products. Our solution included an oversized re-creation of the popular Cover Flow feature found on Apple products. A custom borderless screen was fabricated and used for the presentation. The screen was flanked by large, vibrant, Cover Flow images that appeared to float above the stage.  Rich black velour drapery, accented with lighting, completed the backdrop creating a clean yet striking environment for the presentation.

Guests joined together to watch the Oscars at this years Academy of Friends with also reveling in the ambiance of the events theme of Superheros, Villains, and Divas. John Murray Productions was responsible for the main stage at Fort Mason where we donated five 12 ft x 4 ft painted flats of superheros and villains in a similar style to the invitations. We also hung 25,000 sq/ft of drapery, built and installed two 32′ long glow bars, stretched a rented marley dance floor, and made a paper reveal where characters burst through and entertained guests.

Producer: Winslow and Associates

Artist: Nicole Ziedses des Plantes

This year at the annual City Beat Luncheon, people came to talk about what kinds of economic innovation San Francisco has on its agenda. Our friends at the Chamber of Commerce asked John Murray Productions to come up with a stage set that would compliment the innovated conversations that speakers would inspire, and that gave a definite San Francisco feel. We projected a San Francisco silhouette behind a beautiful three dimensional Golden Gate bridge that stands 9 ft. tall and 16 ft. long that we carry in our inventory.

Check out this site to see the CEO of Wells Fargo talk at the City Beat Luncheon.

http://www.sfchamber.com/eventsprogs/events/events_lunch.php

For Alana’s special day John Murray Productions was called upon to help design and transform the already elegant St. Regis hotel into an entertaining environment. The main ballroom was designed to provide an interactive feel where kids and adults could move in front of spotlights and create playful silhouettes, dance on the elegant white dance floor, bounce their JMP provided “Alana” squeezy basketballs, and participate in games that the DJ inspired. JMP also went through the beautiful family albums and printed some favorites in a larger format to present them in a layered, semi-random aesthetic in the foyer where guests would enter the event.

Designer/Producer: Tony Irik