Christie Roadsters help launch smartphone

2 December 2010

UK - Conference Technical Facilities (CTF) fielded no fewer than 10 Christie Roadster HD12K projectors for a recent high profile media launch by HTC Corporation at London's Old Billingsgate Market, attended by around 300 journalists.

Tasked with meeting a challenging brief by leading production agency, Sutherland Smith Group, they produced an impressive semi-circular floor-to-ceiling front projected wrap-around display. This provided the backdrop for the telecom giant to showcase its latest Android-based smart-phones.

London-based CTF have wide experience of working with Christie projection, having chosen Christie as their preferred partner many years ago. Managing director Stuart Butt said that as soon as they received the brief from the show's technical manager at Connect Live he knew the production would be best served using Christie HD12K 1080HD, 12000 ANSI lumen projectors, fitted with the Twist module.

But the event was not without its challenges. "Initially the production company had wanted a rear projection scenario to enable the presenters to interact with the screen without casting shadows - but because of the throw distance involved it would have required 20 projectors," said CTF's MD. "Instead, we had to work on a solution that minimised the distance presenters could stand in front of the screen, to enable the interaction without shadows."

The optimum solution was achieved by using the projectors' fixed short-throw 1.1:1 lens to project over the presenters' heads. All the projectors were flown in CTF's custom-made cradles, suspended from truss supplied by lighting company TV Elements.

(Jim Evans)