Full Mental Jacket helps Dateline NBC celebrate 'ER' 200th episode

Dateline NBC returns to Full Mental Jacket virtual set design to shoot their ‘ER 200’ special which aired May 6, 2003 and was hosted by Stone Phillips.

After the great response to the virtual set used in the “Michael Jackson Unmasked” special, Dateline NBC decided return to Full Mental Jacket to create a new look for their upcoming 'ER 200'. A special celebrating the 200th episode of the hit NBC episodic 'ER'.

“Joe Ferullo, Dateline's producer wanted something that would capture the audience's attention.”, said FMJ Creative Director Ron-en Lasry. “ I showed him a few sets from our set library and we talked about how each set could be used to tell the 'ER 200' story.”

Producer Joe Ferullo and FMJ Creative Director Ronen Lasry decided on ‘Sample Set B’ from Full Mental Jacket’s library for its elegant design, its similarity in look and feel to the Dateline aesthetics and its ease of use. The set consists of just 3 large virtual video screens set in a large warehouse space. This simple arrangement of screens allowed Joe and the Dateline editors to quickly structure the show. For the center virtual screen Dateline editors created an ‘ER 200’ animated logo sequence while the other screens played video packages. FMJ artists also added an ‘ER 200’ logo into the floor of the set and modified the colored background elements.

"Ronen gave us the perfect look for our ER 200 special. ", said Dateline NBC Producer Joe Ferullo,
"a virtual set that felt real, that was a total environment. His work didn't distract the viewer from what was being said or displayed -- but instead added to the viewing experience, making the entire hour look and feel special."

Shooting took place at the Production Group Studios with virtual operations by Chris Mapes.