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Set change
ISU Theatre's Rob Sunderman spends summer creating new look for Iowa Public Television.
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When Iowa Public Television (IPTV) launched a new public affairs program this fall, viewers not only saw different content than similar previous shows, but a new look as well.
The new look extends to other IPTV weekly productions, "Iowa Press" and "Market to Market."
And when it came time to create that new look, IPTV looked to an old associate to not only design, but also help build the set.
"The set has been the same for 'Iowa Press' the past 12 years," said Rob Sunderman, associate professor in ISU Theatre. "And 'Market to Market' hasn't been updated for at least 15 years.
"That's a long time for the set design to stay static in television."
IPTV selected Sunderman for the job because of his extensive experience in set design and his familiarity with the statewide television network. Prior to coming to Iowa State as a scenic designer for ISU Theatre, Sunderman worked at IPTV for 16 years and created the previous designs for both "Iowa Press" and "Market to Market."
The new look IPTV shows features a set that meets the needs of the three distinct local productions. Sunderman says that the sets needed to be unique enough to represent the individual programs, while still containing interchangeable elements that allow for maximum cost efficiencies.
The challenge of creating a cost-effective and professional set is one that Sunderman enjoyed.
"Because we were short on cash we had to be frugal with what we had to work with, but still maintain a quality, professional and exciting new look that will last for years," he said. "I've designed a base look for all three shows to save on cost and give IPTV a unified, visual identity.
"But I also created a different identifying look for each show with the help of the lighting. It's a fresh, progressive look - one that people can recognize as public television, but one that they can also identify with each particular show."
That's also proved to be challenging because each show is different in terms of format. "Iowa Press" is a weekly discussion between journalists and newsmakers on what's happening in the state, while "Market to Market" covers the business of agriculture.
Enter into the mix the new and third show, "The Iowa Journal." The new program reaches out to existing public television audiences, while also seeking to gain new audiences interested in what's happening in Iowa.
Sunderman has utilized his creativity by developing an "industrial/contemporary" look to the new IPTV sets complete with a steel framework, a Plexiglas treatment and glass surfaces that are flexibly interchangeable.
When the design process was completed, Sunderman remained dedicated to working on the project as it continued. Collaborating with ISU Theatre students in Fisher Theater science shop, Sunderman built part of the set on campus before it was transferred to the IPTV studios in Johnston.
"This is a good project that our students can relate back to their theatrical design and construction training," he said.
Around LAS
January 14-27, 2008
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