Monster Jam 2020 GFX Package

When I started with FELD ENTERTAINMENT in July of 2017 my first task was to recreate editable Illustrator files for the Monster Jam TV show from scratch - the designer before me had deleted all the assets before he had left the company. After this hoop, we used the package I had to recreate for the remainder of the year with the international episodes, while there was a current package with FOX Sports on the domestic side. But when I learned I would be using the same package for the 2018 season I was sort of disappointed… was really looking forward to challenge myself. So, when our contract ended with FOX Sports near the end of 2018 I seized the opportunity to revamp the design package for the 2019 season when we signed up with NBC Sports. I would have to do it on my own as the only designer on the TV show (no pressure).

But with the help of Michael Landon, the in-venue designer for Monster Jam, I was able to quickly put together a general design and use that for various lower thirds and have it approved. It was an extreme learning process with lots of lost sleep. But my first design package for a TV show was successful with some time to spare. I had decided with the extra time to take it a step further and make the designs animate, which in the end helped make graphics output not only faster but also look cleaner and more modern.

With the lower third package, the interstitials, and the title sequence it came together rather nicely. NBC still wanted some of their own graphics used in-show so it clashes with the overall look, but you win some and you lose some. This was a great experience as my introduction into the broadcasting world of design.

When the 2020 season was coming up it was a far smoother process as I knew what I would be walking into. We were still in contract with NBC Sports so there was no weird transition to another broadcast station. The director decided we would use the same design but with a different color palette and overall improved animations. And I reworked the title sequence to clean some quirks I didn’t appreciate. We had only 3 editors at this point, with me still being the only motion graphics designer. I was extremely proud in my team and with the weekly deadlines we must hit with unwavering work ethic and finesse. I am proud of the turnout of this past season.

With the videos linked below you can see both the 2019 and 2020 design packages!

MONSTER ENERGY’S ACTION OF THE WEEK

This was a unique project that I was approached with that involved heavy editing and some simple motion graphics, of course with a quick turn-around deadline. Dived into it and presented both to higher-ups and the Monster Energy client and they were pleased. There is now a spot for this piece every episode aired on NBC SPORTS, and goes into details about the latest-greatest tricks and stunts performed at the recent events of Monster Jam.

The concept of the title sequence is what heavily influenced on my overall design choices for this GFX package. I was working on the animatics of this whenever I was beginning to wrap up the GFX TV package for all the lower thirds, interstitials, and so on. For more information and a breakdown of the title sequence, please visit;

https://jfgart.com/monster-jam-title-sequence

MONSTER JAM INTERSTITIALS

There were a handful of wipes and interstitials needed to help tie in the various segments and spots within the show. Inspired by the title sequence I decided to use the bottom part of the massive globe-model for the background and animated 3D type regarding what we are about to dive into; racing, freestyle, sponsors, an informative edit, etc.