Tour JM Associates’ Arkansas office

Take a behind-the-scenes tour of the JM Associates studios in Little Rock, Ark.

<p>B.A.S.S. photographer Seigo Saito flew into Little Rock, Ark., for the Ramada Quest on Bull Shoals Lake. Saito took the opportunity to stop by JM Associates where <em>The Bassmasters</em> Elite Series television show is produced. He wanted a sneak peek of the set. Most of the staff was headed to Bull Shoals, but he was able to snap a few shots on a brief tour.</p>
B.A.S.S. photographer Seigo Saito flew into Little Rock, Ark., for the Ramada Quest on Bull Shoals Lake. Saito took the opportunity to stop by JM Associates where The Bassmasters Elite Series television show is produced. He wanted a sneak peek of the set. Most of the staff was headed to Bull Shoals, but he was able to snap a few shots on a brief tour.
<p><em>The Bassmasters</em> set was clean and ready. In the days following the end of a tournament, the room fills with producers, editors and cameramen putting the final touches on the show with Tommy Sanders and Mark Zona.</p>
The Bassmasters set was clean and ready. In the days following the end of a tournament, the room fills with producers, editors and cameramen putting the final touches on the show with Tommy Sanders and Mark Zona.
<p>This is the centerpiece of the set, where Sanders and Zona hang out and lend commentary to the action that has taken place on the water.</p>
This is the centerpiece of the set, where Sanders and Zona hang out and lend commentary to the action that has taken place on the water.
<p>Across the room is a big “green screen” that is used for variety of production purposes, including commercials, other shows and even scenes for movies.</p>
Across the room is a big “green screen” that is used for variety of production purposes, including commercials, other shows and even scenes for movies.
<p>In the stairwell of the building, the original drawings and blueprints for the building are framed. The interior appears to be a factory-like setting. It has earned the company the nickname “FishFactory.”</p>
In the stairwell of the building, the original drawings and blueprints for the building are framed. The interior appears to be a factory-like setting. It has earned the company the nickname “FishFactory.”
<p>A wide shot of the studio shows how large the room is. All of the parts can be moved.</p>
A wide shot of the studio shows how large the room is. All of the parts can be moved.
<p>This is the break room where we suspect a lot of calories are consumed during many of the overnight work sessions that are required to complete projects like <em>The Bassmasters</em> TV show.</p>
This is the break room where we suspect a lot of calories are consumed during many of the overnight work sessions that are required to complete projects like The Bassmasters TV show.
<p>Scattered around the halls and entryway are displays of old lures. These lures have been collected by Jerry McKinnis for decades.</p>
Scattered around the halls and entryway are displays of old lures. These lures have been collected by Jerry McKinnis for decades.
<p>The hallway also includes photos and memorabilia from McKinnis’ days of producing <em>The Fishin’ Hole.</em></p>
The hallway also includes photos and memorabilia from McKinnis’ days of producing The Fishin’ Hole.
<p>The photos along the wall include black-and-whites of McKinnis throughout the years, along with framed jerseys of Bassmaster Classic champions.</p>
The photos along the wall include black-and-whites of McKinnis throughout the years, along with framed jerseys of Bassmaster Classic champions.
<p>On the upper levels, employees have hung maps from previous Classics, along with other memorabilia and signage from their work with B.A.S.S.</p>
On the upper levels, employees have hung maps from previous Classics, along with other memorabilia and signage from their work with B.A.S.S.
<p>The soundproof edit suite of David Lipke includes the latest in technology with the eyes of two skulls and Jimmy Houston watching all the time.</p>
The soundproof edit suite of David Lipke includes the latest in technology with the eyes of two skulls and Jimmy Houston watching all the time.
<p>The graphics area is where the mapping and 3D animation is created.</p>
The graphics area is where the mapping and 3D animation is created.
<p>Artists work on maps to get a head start on the Bull Shoals event.</p>
Artists work on maps to get a head start on the Bull Shoals event.
<p>Desk space is sectioned out on the second floor where writers and editors work on a variety of websites including Bassmaster.com.</p>
Desk space is sectioned out on the second floor where writers and editors work on a variety of websites including Bassmaster.com.
<p>The conference room sports a huge table where editors and producers gather to brainstorm ideas.</p>
The conference room sports a huge table where editors and producers gather to brainstorm ideas.
<p>In the corner of the conference room stands an old film camera that was used decades ago to film <em>The Fishin’ Hole.</em></p>
In the corner of the conference room stands an old film camera that was used decades ago to film The Fishin’ Hole.
<p>Lining the walls are great shots taken during Elite Series events.</p>
Lining the walls are great shots taken during Elite Series events.
<p>Jerry McKinnis’ office is like a small museum with photos of him and his sports heroes, displays of old lures and a variety of other things, each with a story behind it.</p>
Jerry McKinnis’ office is like a small museum with photos of him and his sports heroes, displays of old lures and a variety of other things, each with a story behind it.
<p>From the doorway, McKinnis’ desk is a simple table and simple chair. But the room generates an abundance of creative ideas when McKinnis is present.</p>
From the doorway, McKinnis’ desk is a simple table and simple chair. But the room generates an abundance of creative ideas when McKinnis is present.
<p>On the second floor is the “Cold Room,” where all of the electronics for the editing equipment is housed. This unit hooks up more than a dozen edit machines and allows them to work together as one team.</p>
On the second floor is the “Cold Room,” where all of the electronics for the editing equipment is housed. This unit hooks up more than a dozen edit machines and allows them to work together as one team.
<p>The entryway to the “FishFactory,” as seen from the second floor.</p>
The entryway to the “FishFactory,” as seen from the second floor.