The debate set, designed by onetime CBS producer Hugh Raisky, is about 40 feet wide and 30 feet deep and fills the Mahaffey stage. Two lecterns stand at a 22-degree angle to center stage, and the moderator's desk is on a forestage, set a foot below the main stage so as to be out of view of cameras fixed on the candidates. Neutrality was the theme of the set design. The key to all television design today is you want to create something interesting but not so interesting that it takes away the focus from the talking head. Built of wood, the set is covered with blue upholstery fabric.
Consistency is everything.
Candidates, when they get into a debate situation, don't want the other candidate to have any kind of obvious advantage. The candidates' wardrobe choices tend to be limited. It's the only color they wear. Air conditioning is an important issue under the television camera lights. Seven cameras will be used in the debates at Mahaffey, and lighting will be provided by the theater's system.