Tommy Rose: All Access Staging Supervisor For The Super Bowl LVI Halftime Show

Live Design touches base with Tommy Rose, who served as staging supervisor for All Access at the Super Bowl LVI Pepsi Halftime Show on Sunday, February 13, 2022. He explains how he began work on the project in October 2021, and how he tackles all the steps along the way.

Live Design: What is your role as All Access staging supervisor for the Halftime Show?

Tommy Rose: My role as a staging supervisor starts before we even receive drawings. In October, I went to the stadium to do a site survey. This includes measuring tunnel openings, ceiling heights, proposed storage areas, path to field, path from field, path to workshop etc. It’s one thing to be able to build it, but you have to be able to get it on and off the field or it doesn’t matter. The show doesn’t look nearly as good in the loading dock as it does on the field.

Once we get the design packet, I work in conjunction with our internal team to peel back the design layer by layer to understand the designer’s intent and then figure out how we are going to deliver. It is a huge team effort by everybody here at the shop from the very bottom to the very top. A show like this requires the entire company’s full attention.

As units are being built I have a very dedicated crew of people that will work on final test assemblies and address any changes or modifications that need to happen. After all test fitting and final details are completed we break it down and ship it out.

Onsite, I work together with the local union stagehands* and other department heads to make sure everything has been installed and integrated. Then, we begin practicing the build. We start slow and methodical and as the comfort level increases, so does the speed until we successfully build and strike the show in the time needed. Once game day comes its easy.  You just have to do the same thing you have been doing. Don’t change a thing.

LD: How large is your staff for the show at All Access? How do they break down by "skills"?

TR: This year I brought 12 people. I usually stack the deck so there are at least two people in certain skill categories.  This year it broke down like this:

     • 1 Technical design lead for any drawings or engineering issues that arise      • 2 Fabricators to address any fixes/adds/modifications needed      • 2 Electricians to deal with our power and ALL THE LED ACCENTS…. Almost a mile worth of cable and lights.      • 4 Staging experts to perform any critical steps that may need to happen. There are just some things that I want our people to do.       • 1 Automation designer/programmer/operator

LD: What is the timeline for the production process?

TR: We usually start in October with a site survey and then get the first look at the design around Thanksgiving. This year we didn’t get full design approvals until mid-December. At that point we had approximately five weeks to design, manufacture, and test the entire set before it went off to rehearsals. A week or so of rehearsals and then it's game day.  Once the show is competed we have about three days to get everything disassembled, recycled, and returned to its proper place.

LD: What was the most challenging part of the build this year for you?

TR: This year was challenging for a couple of reasons. We had some of the largest carts yet. Both in weight and in size. Carts that large need extra attention because of the nature of the show. We have to move this from a storage position on and off the field in a matter of minutes. All without damaging anything or hurting anybody.

We also had a very large lift this year. It was so big it wouldn’t fit out of the tunnel opening so we actually had to build it in two halves and then come up with a way to join them together on the field. This lift was the opening move of the show so we just had to get it right.

Also, the entire set was white, which added a whole other layer of care and attention needed.From cotton gloves to disposable booties, to carpet cleaners. 

All Access drawing

LD: What are you most proud of concerning the construction of this year's set?

TR: I would have to say that I am most proud of our shop. Many of them sacrificed weekends, holidays, birthdays, dinners etc. all to get it out the door. Things were built right, built fast, and built to last. It was definitely a stretch for us but they freaking nailed it.

* Members of IATSE Local 33 in Burbank, CA and Local 1 from New York City played a major role in the assembly of the sets both during rehearsals at Barker Hangar two weeks prior to leading up to the halftime event, and on the field for the quick-time set-up of the scenic units. Union members contribute to the carpentry, sound, lighting, rigging, and props for the halftime show every year.

Live Design's coverage of this year's Super Bowl LVI Halftime Show is sponsored by All Access.