ESPN – British Open Broadcast Sets 2011
Knifedge transformed ESPN’s outdoor broadcast studios into rooms from a traditional British golf clubhouse for The Open Championship held at Sandwich in July 2011.
We have now worked with ESPN for two years running for both The Open Championship and The Ryder Cup, having created the broadcaster’s scenic designs at St Andrews last year.
The scenic designs which ESPN viewers enjoyed at The Open are far more detailed than average TV scenery. Inspired by The Royal & Ancient Clubhouse at St Andrews and the Royal St George’s clubhouse in Sandwich, the set has turned otherwise functional studio spaces into warm and characterful clubhouse vantage-points.
Knifedge has worked closely on the build for this project with Dick George Creatives, one of the UK’s foremost film prop makers.
The new designs involved 5 environments - including the SportsCenter and Main Broadcast Center stacked on top of each other, located between the 1st Tee and 18th Fairway. A slightly smaller studio was located backing onto the Practice Tee, as well as a room to interview golfers on completion of their rounds by the 18th Green.
ESPN’s coverage this year was anchored by Mike Tirico, with ex-pro Paul Azinger as lead pundit, plus Scot Van Pelt and former champion Andy North in the SportsCenter studio.
Knifedge Team:
Creative Director: Timothy Bird
Design Assistant: Seb Howling
Project Manager: Lucy Ross
Set Build: Dick George Creatives
