CPL makes it rock for Tiesto event

29 June 2012

UK - West Midlands- based video and production specialist Central Presentations Ltd (CPL) supplied PPU, projection system and crew to Second Sight Video for a recent Skoda brand experience event, culminating in an incendiary gig for 5000 people by top international DJ, Tiesto.

The event was staged at the LG Arena at Birmingham's National Exhibition centre. It was promoted virally via selected social media channels.

The CPL team was led by project manager Lee Gruszeckyj (Lee G), who also showed his talents cutting the pacey live camera mix. The CPL team assisted Second Sight to capture the full event for future video and DVD editing / internet broadcast, and recorded time-lapse footage of the build that was streamed live on Facebook in the run up to get all those attending energised and expectant about what they were about to experience.

Gruszeckyj mixed the show using an AVHS 400 full PPU including a wireless comms system and wireless radio links to four Panasonic P2 cameras. These were operated by regular Second Sight camera crew. A four-way digital AJA Video KiPro record facility was provided as part of the PPU.

A location sound engineer was at large among the crowds doing vox-pops which were fed into the system. The cameras were all hand-helds, zipping around the audience and stage catching crowd, action and DJ shots.

The camera mix was relayed to two 8 metre wide projection screens set up in a feeder area entered by guests before going in to the main arena. Each of these was fed by a CPL Panasonic 10K projector running via fibre cables.

In addition to that, the TX was sent to an edit suite on site, so clips could be created and posted live on the internet and Facebook as the event unfolded, giving it a real resonance and ramping the general excitement levels.

CPL's crew of three engineers worked with Second Sight's editor Zoe Gruszeckyj three roaming photographers, the four camera operators and Second Sight's producer Scott Shelley.

It was a straightforward show for CPL, reports Gruszeckyj , which flowed smoothly due to good and detailed pre-planning "It's all in the prep," he confirms.

The Skoda Citygo car - the brand's smallest and most urban-friendly creation to date - was at the centre of the Tiesto event. A full size vehicle sliced into two halves made an interesting stage set and DJ booth.

(Jim Evans)