Ross XPression Graphics Shine on FOX’s So You Think You Can Dance

FOX’s highly rated summer series, So You Think You Can Dance, went live this season with a new graphics platform from Ross Video. The XPression 2D/3D CG and Motion Graphics System provides all of the on-screen graphics during the show, including dancer IDs and full-screens.

“We’re very pleased that the production team from So You Think You Can Dance was open to trying a new graphics platform,” said Brian Olson, marketing product manager for XPression. “When we dropped off the XPression a couple days before air, the engineers at CBS Television City, where the show is produced, were pleasantly surprised. They racked it up, connected the wires, booted the system, and animated graphics showed up on the production switcher already timed. They said it was almost too easy.”

“XPression is the ‘yes’ box,” said Laura Staat, graphics operator for the show. “Can I colorize an image to compliment lighting? Yes. Can I play out two clips simultaneously on two different channels and free up EVS? Yes. Can you grab this star field? Yes. Are you ready? Yes. It’s a fast paced day, and ‘no’ is not an option.”

“XPression’s design and playback capabilities have freed our editors from graphic design duties,” said Craig Gooder, postproduction supervisor for the show. “Laura can work directly with lighting, producers, and the director to create graphic content as needed in the control room where the action is. This saves me time to concentrate on editing.”