CCTV Focus Tonight Virtual Set Extensions
This project involved the creation of virtual set extensions for China Central Television’s Focus Tonight bulletin, designed to integrate seamlessly with a newly built studio featuring large wraparound LED screens across three sides of the space. The physical set provided a strong foundation, and our task was to visually extend that environment, enhancing depth, scale, and visual interest while supporting the program’s editorial tone.
The brief called for a newsroom style interior that would feel active and credible, while remaining refined and contemporary. Particular emphasis was placed on creating compelling mid shots for presenters, ensuring the virtual environment added dimensionality without overwhelming the on air talent. As Focus Tonight is broadcast in the evening, the design needed to perform convincingly in low light conditions and make effective use of CCTV’s red and blue brand colors.
We developed a virtual newsroom environment that wraps naturally around the existing set, using layered architectural elements, controlled reflections, and carefully balanced lighting. Red and blue accents were integrated into structural features and light sources, creating visual energy while maintaining a restrained, authoritative mood appropriate for a late night news format.
To reinforce the sense of a working newsroom, we introduced looping screen content throughout the virtual space. These screens display curated news footage and clips specified by the client, adding movement and contextual relevance. The animation was designed to feel purposeful rather than decorative, contributing to the realism of the environment and supporting the narrative of an active broadcast operation.
A key component of the design was the virtual floor, which plays a crucial role in establishing depth and perspective. From experience, we know that floors can provide some of the strongest spatial cues when designed with sufficient detail. For this project, we created a floor comprised of interlocking triangular bays, topped with glass panels and illuminated from beneath. The lit substructure adds visual complexity and a sense of technological sophistication, while reflections help anchor presenters convincingly within the space.
The final result is a polished, high tech virtual extension that integrates fluidly with the LED screens and physical set. It enhances spatial illusion, supports flexible camera work, and delivers a confident visual identity for Focus Tonight’s nightly broadcasts.
Client
CCTV, China
Design
Jim Mann, Lightwell
