Live From Super Bowl XLIX: Filmwerks Provides Infrastructure Backbone For NFL Network

Murphy’s Law made a cameo in Arizona in the days leading up to Super Bowl XLIX. When one hosts a sports event in the middle of the desert, one doesn’t expect rain. Sure enough, Friday and Saturday saw overcast skies and showers, but that didn’t slow heating–, power–, and mobile-set–infrastructure provider Filmwerks from pulling off a double dip of Super Bowl festivities with NFL Network and Phoenix Open golf coverage with CBS Sports.

Filmwerks provided NFL Network with its on-field set for pre/postgame coverage.

The centerpiece of Filmwerks’ presence in Glendale was NFL Network’s on-field studio set, which was used for a load of pre- and post-game programming. It was a brand-new mobile set whose construction was accelerated to work this Super Bowl and offered some custom features, including a narrower surface area (the distance between the stands and the playing field is smaller at University of Phoenix Stadium than at most NFL venues), a separate lighting rig, and electronic telescoping arms for a swifter setup.

Earlier in the week, Filmwerks also supported Media Day, supplying the NFL with power and its news stage at the stadium. Additionally, the company had its stamp on Super Bowl Central in Downtown Phoenix, supplying a set for the NFL Experience and for NFL Network.

According to Filmwerks executives, Glendale/Phoenix was a top-notch host, despite the minor weather hiccups.

“I think this [Super Bowl] was so smooth,” says Filmwerks owner Mike Satrazemis. “From a management standpoint and a crew standpoint, everybody [we worked with here in Arizona] is incredibly friendly and helpful. There were just no issues, and people went out of their way to help us. Normally, you take that stuff for granted.”

The Super Bowl wasn’t the only event entertaining large crowds in Arizona this weekend. The PGA was in town with The Phoenix Open. The event is an opening to the 15th year with CBS Golf. At the course, Filmwerks offered two sets of generators for announce booths and a special setup at the 16th hole with Golf Channel.