NCIS New Orleans | TV Set Design
From Screen to Set: The NCIS New Orleans Challenge
NCIS: New Orleans isn’t just another television show—it's a cultural phenomenon that captivated audiences by blending police and military drama against the vibrant backdrop of the Big Easy. Premiering on CBS in September 2014 as the third series in the successful NCIS franchise, the show starred Scott Bakula and CCH Pounder, bringing authentic New Orleans flavor to primetime.
When the show’s production team needed realistic trade show exhibits for a key episode, they turned to experts who understood the exhibit world and the distinctive New Orleans aesthetic. The challenge? Creating cinema-worthy booth designs that could handle the unique demands of television production.
Showbiz on a Deadline: The Exhibit Designer's Ultimate Test
This wasn't your typical design challenge—it was a television production, where time is always the most precious commodity. The NCIS: New Orleans team needed three custom trade show exhibits that would not only look authentic and set the tone for the episode but also function in the unique environment of a television set.
These exhibits needed to be built on moveable platforms for quick scene changes, assembled in a single day, and then completely dismantled just as quickly when filming wrapped. The stakes were high: our work would be scrutinized by millions of viewers, and there was no margin for error. In the world of television production, you only get one take to get it right.
From Conference Hall to Sound Stage: A New Creative Canvas
When Hollywood calls, you answer—and you bring your A-game. Faced with the unpredictability of television production and incredibly tight timelines, we leaned into our strengths: adaptability, efficiency, and creative problem-solving. Our strategy centered on leveraging our rental exhibit inventory as inspiration. We showcased examples from our portfolio to the production team, allowing them to quickly identify designs that would meet their visual needs while being practical for the unique demands of a film set.
This collaborative approach cut through what could have been a lengthy design process, getting us to execution faster. We approached this project with equal parts excitement and precision, understanding that this was our moment to put exhibit design in the spotlight—literally.
That's a Wrap: The Final Review
"Working with VOXX was a breath of fresh air in the typically chaotic world of television production. They understood immediately what we needed and delivered exhibits that looked authentic, assembled quickly, and created exactly the environment our episode required. Their ability to work under our intense time constraints while maintaining quality and attention to detail was impressive—these weren't just props, they were fully realized environments that helped tell our story." — NCIS: New Orleans Production Team
Crafting Exhibition Reality for Television Fantasy
Our design solution had to balance authenticity with the practical needs of television production. We created three custom trade show exhibits that would not only look realistic to viewers but also function within the constraints of a film set. These weren't static backdrops—they were fully realized environments built on rolling platforms to accommodate quick scene changes and camera setups.
The design needed to be visually compelling enough to establish the setting immediately for viewers, yet not so elaborate that it would distract from the actors or storyline. Every detail was considered, from the materials used (which needed to look good on camera) to the construction methods (which needed to allow for quick assembly and teardown). Working alongside the show's art directors, we ensured that our exhibits aligned perfectly with the episode's visual language while meeting the rigorous technical requirements of television production.
Our Star Turn: Making Television History
Our Star Turn: Making Television History
In the world of television, the ultimate measure of success is making it to air—and our exhibits passed the test with flying colors. Our designs appeared prominently at the top of the episode, setting the scene and establishing the environment precisely as the directors envisioned. None of our work ended up on the cutting room floor—a testament to how well our team executed the brief.
This unique project not only demonstrated our ability to adapt our exhibition expertise to new contexts but also introduced our craft to millions of viewers who might never have considered the artistry behind trade show exhibit design. Perhaps most importantly, it established a relationship with a new industry, opening doors to future collaborations where the worlds of exhibition design and entertainment production intersect.
Experience. Creativity. Results.
From the bayou to the big city, we've been stirring up some mighty fine experiences. Dive into our featured work and see how we blend Southern hospitality with smart design.
Krispy Krunchy
A two story, food serving experiential exhibit that lines patrons up around the corner and provides franchise sales engagement.
NOBL Foods
We created a custom booth experience for Guardian Pet Food at the Global Pet Expo, launching NOBL Foods and Almighty Elixirs.
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CHELSEA BURROW
Marketing Manager, React Health
Jim Galovski
Founder, NOBL Foods
