M&J Systems Tech 40-foot Truck Expands Upwards to Provide Safer Work Environment

The COVID-19 pandemic is spurring on new innovations within production workflows based on CDC recommendations. M&J System Technologies located in Washingtonville,  NY has created a unique mobile broadcast facility whose design incorporates those CDC guidelines with current industry REMI workflows.

The 40-foot trailer expands upwards to allow for a second floor of operational space.

M&J has created a 40-foot mobile production trailer that can be hauled by a pickup truck, parked either near a broadcast network facility or venue and then be utilized as the primary control room for the front bench team and others. The truck is then connected via the Internet to the main production unit at the venue.

Ming Wu, president of the company and his wife Ju Wu, formed M&J 31 years ago as an engraving and integration company. During that time Ming actively was involved in the construction and maintenance of the ABC Sports fleet of broadcast trucks. Eighteen years ago M&J branched out and has been instrumental in the fabrication of many of the industry’s leading facilities such as WFAN, and The YES Network.

Jack Kestenbaum, former director of technical operations for The Yes Network (until his retirement after 18 years) is consulting on the project. Prior to his time at YES, Kestenbaum was the senior audio operator on Monday Night Football, the Triple Crown, numerous Olympics Games, and countless Wide World of Sports events at ABC.

“Actual game transmission emanates from the site of the event while all control takes place back home,” says Kestenbaum. “Your above the line people get to sleep in their own beds with no airfare, no hotels, no rental cars, no per diem, and minimized exposure to the virus. Yet they are in complete control of the event as though they were on-site.”

Once parked and powered, the difference of the facility becomes immediately apparent, according to Wu. The trailer is 40 feet in length however instead of what might be considered a conventional “expando” this unit expands upward, creating a second floor. Forty feet of operational space becomes 80 feet and access to the second floor is provided by a space-saving spiral staircase which adds additional air circulation.

A socially distanced space allows for the producer, director, and others to work side by side safely.

Wu adds: “The layout is simple; first floor includes space for a two person announce team, show AD, engineering, transmission, and audio services. The second floor contains the front bench area with room for the Producer, Director, replay AD, and graphics coordinator (it also has a small galley kitchen). All multiscreen viewers are 4K.”

Kestenbaum says all operating systems between the mobile unit located at the site of the event and the M&J production control unit are connected via the Internet.

“Intercom, audio monitoring, and all monitor walls are an exact duplicate of the mobile unit parked at the event,” he says. “The Director calls the game on the RTS Odin RVON intercom and the TD at the event switches the show.”

All other communications via IFB and intercom allows for the producers to speak with talent, replay AD to communicate with EVS operators, and the graphics coordinator to the remote graphics team.

Wu says the entire truck will be deep cleaned every night. Masks, Clorox wipes, and hand sanitizer will always be available.

Please take a moment to view the attached video highlighting the new facility.

To book this socially distanced unit contact:
M&J System Technologies
37 South Street
Washingtonville, New York 10992
Phone: (845) 712-4000
Email: [email protected]