Egypt - Green Hippo’s Taiga and Karst+ were the media servers of choice for Egyptian artist Mohamed Ramadan, whose recent outdoor performance on Egypt’s North Coast saw 85,000 fans gather for what the singer described as “the largest audience attendance in 2021”. To entertain the masses, the region’s largest ever scaffolding stage was erected, measuring 45m wide and 20m high, for a concert that commanded serious attention to detail, with the visuals quite literally taking centre stage among 800 lighting fixtures, pyrotechnics and special effects. The structure was built by event rental partner Hi-Lights Group, which also supplied the 900sq.m of LED video wall that displayed bespoke graphics on a 4K video display with a total of 230,400 pixels. Hi-Lights Group utilised two Hippotizer V4 Taiga and four Hippotizer V4 Karst+ Media Servers, with an output sp
USA - LED processor manufacturer, Brompton Technology, will be showcasing its HDR solution on booth 2335 at this year’s LDI Show in Las Vegas from 19-21 November. Brompton HDR, or High Dynamic Range, has applications across multiple sectors due to its ability to deliver images with better contrast, higher brightness levels and a wider colour palette, with details preserved in the darkest and brightest areas of a picture along with more accurate reproduction of colours. Brompton’s Hydra system which will also be in display on the stand, is an all-in-one industrial solution that incorporates all the measurement instruments and processing required for panel measurements to enable Dynamic Calibration. Additionally, visitors will be able to see Brompton’s range of Tessera LED processors, including ideal rental workhorse S8 and the flagship SX40, with the all-im
UK - Earlier this month Creative Technology (CT) supported delivery of the first-ever Earthshot Prize awards ceremony which took place at Alexandra Palace in London. This event was introduced by HRH Prince William and hosted by Clara Amfo and Dermot O’Leary with Sir David Attenborough joining as special guest. The ceremony also featured music performances from artists such as Ed Sheeran, Coldplay, KSI and Yemi Alade, and Shawn Mendes. Coldplay’s performance, from outside of Alexandra Palace, used energy powered by 60 cyclists. Working for long-standing client BBC Studios Events alongside The Royal Foundation of The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, CT provided a circular, gloss LED floor to the exact design specific by the client, working with them to bring their vision to life with stunning results. The high-resolution LED floor which was made up of 446 t
UK - The leader of Dudley Council was “bowled over” with the life-changing opportunities being given to students at Resonance during a recent visit. Councillor Patrick Harley stopped by the higher education facility based within the DY5 Enterprise Zone at the Waterfront in Brierley Hill to find out how students will be working alongside global company Sports Technology (ST) at next year’s Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Game ST is the specialist major multi-sports division of Creative Technology (CT) and has been appointed official provider of large video screens and audio services. Alongside LED and PA systems in the majority of the venues, ST will provide a broad range of audio-visual services including a flexible signal distribution network in every venue, providing a fully integrated IP based solution for all non-broadcast audio, video and data distribution. As
Germany - Prolight + Sound Frankfurt is set to return from 26 to 29 April 2022, with emphasis on sustainability. With the Green Event Day on 27 April, the fair is offering for the first time a theme day all about the responsible use of natural resources. Companies and associations will present their green initiatives and underline that commitment to sustainability can also pay off economically. Among the players who have already declared their participation in PL+S 2022 are ADJ, Area Four Industries, Ayrton, B. & C. Speakers, Bosch Rexroth, Bütec, Cast, Chainmaster, Chauvet, Clay Paky, ComputerWorks, dBTechnologies, DTS, Elation, ETC, Eurotruss, FBT Elettronica, GLP, Highlite International, HOF Alutec, InEar, JB-Lighting, Kling & Freitag, König & Meyer, KS Audio, Kvant, L-Acoustics, Lawo, Layher, LEDitgo, Lightpower, Link, MA Lighting, Meyer Sound, Moveca
UK - PLASA and #WeMakeEvents have launched a survey to investigate how the live events sector is recovering with the easing of the COVID-19 pandemic. The survey aims to draw a detailed picture of the events, entertainment and installations industries following 18 months of disruption. The results are hoped to provide an insight into the challenges still facing the industry and will be used as an evidence base to better inform lobbying. The surve contains questions about the supply of components and finished goods, the availability of skilled workers, and the year-on-year changes in terms of revenue and income. Once all the data is collated and analysed, a full report will be published on both the PLASA and #WeMakeEvents websites. From freelancers and sole traders to manufacturing companies and venues, all types of industry professionals are invited to ta
UK - As the planet wrestles with global climate change, enterprises worldwide have begun incorporating green solutions into their business models. Companies are examining their emissions impact through a broader lens to achieve carbon neutrality. According to Phillipe Wetzel, CEO of streaming solutions provider Vitec, how enterprises use video applications and resources to support their operations sustainably is an essential piece of the puzzle. “The immediate challenge is to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by racing toward carbon neutrality, but it will not be easy,” says Wetzel. “The video streaming sector will have to design products that utilize fewer raw materials, are easier to transport, consume less energy, and are easily recyclable. Adopting carbon-neutral energy strategies throughout the enterprise video supply chain will be necessary. In response to t
Korea - With a total area of 11,265sq.m and the largest LED wall in Korea, VA Corporation’s new VA Studio Hanam provides in-camera visual effects (ICVFX) facilities optimised for immersive content production. Created in partnership with ARK Ventures Inc South Korea, this virtual production infrastructure is powered by Brompton Technology LED processing, with 4K Tessera SX40 processors driving four large LED walls. The new facility offers a full spectrum of creative possibilities for content production, from films, drama, advertising, and gaming to XR broadcasts and live performances, allowing each production to be tailored to the specific needs and budget of the client. VA Studio Hanam includes three main facilities, all featuring cutting-edge technology provided by ARK Ventures, including ROE Visual LED screens and Brompton Tessera processing. With a floor ar
Estonia - ERR is the largest media organisation and government-owned radio and television public broadcasting company in Estonia. For its mobile units, the organisation relies on the experience of Lithuanian-based TVC Solutions, who have been designing and coach-building OB vans for over 20 years, and the fit-out includes specifying the most efficient, state-of-the-art technological infrastructure. A key feature of the latest 12m long 18-camera van (designated ‘OB-1’) is an efficient use of internal space. They were able to create five working areas, and in total 19 separate workplaces on a chassis-based design. This includes: Main isolated equipment racks with redundant cooling system; Shading area (four workplaces); Second programme area (three workplaces); Main programme and slow-motion operators’ area (10 workplaces) and an advanced Audio room with improved sound
Spain - AFIAL 2021 closed one of its busiest editions in Madrid on 7 October, the event’s organisers have reported. Three intense days before, the trade show highlighted, once again, the capacity of unity, strength and resilience of the AV industry. AFIAL 2021 was attended by PLASA in the framework of the collaboration that it recently has signed with AFIAL after more than one year of joint effort in the #WeMakeEvents movement - a relationship that will be expanded in the near future with new projects and initiatives. One of the success stories of this edition was the AFIAL Conecta space, where visitors had the opportunity to attend a powerful panel of conferences, in addition to a comprehensive programme of activities complemented by demonstrations of outdoor sound carried out in the Pavilion of Crystal esplanade, which welcomed visitors interested in knowing first-
UK - For the production industry the August Bank Holiday was always going to be the big heave of the re-opening, with Leeds/Reading festival leading the way. That no bad news emerged from the three-day bacchanal means the production industry could give itself a big pat on the back. Not that it was easy, but it was a blast. “We were all apprehensive,” says Richard Larkum, LD for Biffy Clyro, echoing the sentiments of many. “As it transpired, it was a career defining show.” Joel Stanley, production manager for Stormzy was equally relieved: “In terms of going from nothing to full-on production it did feel very natural.” Default sound, IMAG and lights for the main stages came from SSE, CT and Neg Earth respectively. As Stanley observed, “As with Neg Earth and Video Design in our individual production packages, we felt very comfortable and well favoure
UK - Powersoft’s Dynamic Music Distribution (DMD) solution is at the heart of the audio system providing the soundtrack to Kent’s newest sports and entertainment destination. With Dynamic Music Distribution, Powersoft offers SIs the ability to scale inputs and zones conveniently and efficiently with dynamic routing capabilities embedded on its amplifier platforms. This makes it simple to dynamically route music and other signal sources along with control signals between different zones and across multiple amplifiers – all independently of source location and without the need for a centralised DSP. Two Mezzo 604 ADs – Powersoft's four-channel, 600W compact amplifier – are powering the entirety of the 250-capacity Matches Sports Bar, Grill & Social, forming the core of a hospitality venue incorporating multiple distinct audio zones and spaces. Tucked away
UK - Green Hippo’s flagship Hippotizer Tierra+ MK2 Media Server took centre stage to drive visuals at the James Bond No Time To Die world premiere at the Royal Albert Hall. Richard Bagshaw from UK-based live events video playback and content creators Digital Insanity took the helm at the star-studded film launch on the famous red carpet steps, harnessing the power of a Tierra+ MK2 with the serial number 001 (for premiere purposes, of course. 007 was otherwise engaged). TV viewers and those lucky enough to attend the premiere arrived on the red carpet surrounded by 14 LED screens, forming giant cubes to display Bond teasers, clips and graphics. Digital Insanity supplied content creation and video playback services for the red carpet event and also supplied content for the press junket, entrance tunnel and the after movie drinks reception. “I’ve been
Israel - Israel Railways’ (ISR) CEO frequently holds critical internal management meetings and external meetings with Israeli government departments and authorities. Therefore, to enable its CEO to conduct efficient and productive business meetings from his office, ISR turned to ClearOne for an AV solution that would fully meet the requirements of the CEO and his meeting room. “We needed to find a solution for the CEO’s office that delivered superior levels of audio and video quality which, at the same time, is intuitive and easy to use,” opens Aric Ben-Zuk, VP of sales for DM Engineering, the creative technology solutions provider leading this integration. “A key requirement for ISR was that participants, regardless of their location, would be able to concentrate on the content of their meetings without having to worry about the underlying technology.” Hav
USA - Brompton Technology has announced its expansion into the US with a new office in Burbank, California. The new facility reflects Brompton’s continued growth in the US market thanks to demand for high-end virtual production setups and television. Brompton’s regional technical manager Sean Sheridan will lead the new US outpost. Sheridan joined Brompton in 2018 and has played an instrumental role in the company’s success in the US, expanding the customer base in all areas and helping drive development of new Tessera software features specifically geared toward virtual production as demand increased. He will continue to drive new customer growth and technical development, with the office as a home base for demos and training. “I’m thrilled to expand our international presence as Brompton now has footprints on three continents - North America, Europe, and Asi
UAE - Expo 2020 Dubai, the first World Expo to take place in the Middle East region, officially opened its doors to visitors on 1 October showcasing architectural wonders and technology innovations from more than 192 countries. The UK’s contribution to Expo 2020 Dubai is the cone-shaped UK Pavilion with a circular façade which was created by designer Es Devlin. The 25m-high LED façade which is integrated into the wooden sculpture is designed to celebrate global cultural diversity and collaboration. The UK Pavilion uses an advanced AI learning algorithm developed in collaboration with Google Arts & Culture which allows visitors to add their word to a continuously changing ‘collective message from humanity to the universe’ displayed on the LED modules. PRG was appointed by Pico to deliver the engineering of the 2,000 customised LED tiles through the PRG
UK - Blackmagic Design reports that Creamfields, the UK's biggest dance music festival, was delivered using a live production workflow built around ATEM production switchers and HyperDeck recorders. The four-day festival held over the August bank holiday weekend welcomed around 80,000 people to Daresbury, Cheshire to see some of the biggest names in dance music, including Tiesto, David Guetta, Carl Cox and Chase and Status perform across multiple stages. Handed the brief to be the sole provider of AV with three weeks' notice, UK based CSD Productions deployed an OB truck and three flyaway kits for organiser Live Nation. “We had several weeks to pull together what would normally take six months of planning,” reveals Andrew McQuillan of CSD Productions. “We’ve supplied our OB trucks to Creamfields for the fourth and fifth stages previously, and we’ve hand
UK - September saw 80six host the first series of Virtual Production Discovery Days at its new VP studio in Slough, Berkshire. As Brompton Technology’s processors are an integral part of so many virtual production infrastructures, it was an important partner, along with ROE Visual, Mo-sys, Cooke Optics and 3LR Lighting. This impressive line-up enabled one of the UK’s leading creative technical production specialists to provide attendees with insight into the workflows and the real-time technologies required to power both live and on-set productions. The interactive and informal programme attracted directors of photography, film and TV producers as well as a variety of 80six’s event partners, with live demos allowing them to experience the creative possibilities of virtual production and how this technology is shaping the future of storytelling and content creation.
UK - Event and show technical specialist CPL created an all-encompassing production design and supplied set, rigging, lighting, audio, video – cameras, screens and PPU / control – plus SFX for a high profile three-hour live broadcast for cosmetics brand Tropic Skincare, which combined product launches, awards presentations and recognition for top distributors and advocates plus reports and updates on the organisation’s charitable work. Staged at Kinetic Studios in Corby, UK, the design was turned around and approved in a short timeframe for the biannual event, known for its razzamatazz and high production values, which has been delivered online since the start of the pandemic. All production elements were sourced by the CPL including the location and a crew of 30 headed by Lee Gruszeckyj. The client was keen that absolutely no compromises were made in pre
USA - Austrian AV technology manufacturer AV Stumpfl will present their award-winning projection screen systems and new Pixera v1.8 media server software at this year's InfoComm in Orlando later this month. In addition to informing booth visitors of their latest product developments in the area of ALR (ambient light rejecting) screen systems, AV Stumpfl will also present their AT64-SHIFT screen system legs. These are compatible with all mobile AV Stumpfl screen systems. AV Stumpfl’s popular screen design product, Fullwhite will also be shown at InfoComm. Fullwhite is a favourite with international designers, due to its’ depthless and borderless appearance that makes projected images appear to float in mid-air. Another highlight of the AV Stumpfl booth will be the new Pixera media server system version 1.8, which will be shown to a wider audience for the first
Canada - Solotech has appointed Nicolas 'Nico' Labbé as senior technical specialist (business development). Joining the company's Montreal Live Productions team, he will liaise with the Live Productions Division to offer clients the services they require and aid in the development of new business opportunities. Over the last 35 years, Labbé worked as a lighting designer with the biggest names in the music industry, such as Charles Aznavour, Véronique DiCaire, Garou, Lara Fabian and Roch Voisine. He is also well known and respected in television, where he served as director and designer of photography on multiple live show recordings. Solotech says Labbé will also play a crucial role as an ambassador of the company’s multiple technological solutions and his lighting and video expertise will help the team to better support Canadian designers. Solotech says
Singapore - Pixotope brought augmented reality (AR) technology into the 2021 Singapore National Day Parade for the first time. In collaboration with Anomalyst Studio, the televised show used visual illusions that ‘blurred the lines between reality and virtual’. Pixotope was used to generate all of the AR overlays for five segments of the large-scale TV event, with the AR elements conceived as part of the show’s main narrative, including notable segments such as five stars rising up from a physical stage prop, transitioning to form a virtual display of the Singaporean national flag. To ensure visual consistency throughout, there was a constant collaboration between Anomalyst Studio and the graphics team for the LED and floor projections. The various animated elements were created in Maya before being imported into Pixotope for playback in the main show, and after
UK - Cheltenham’s Imperial Gardens became a cinematic hotspot of international sport, films and music over the summer as the town’s Big Screen Festival took place, utilising Production AV’s substantial stock of Desay M6 outdoor LED screen panels to make up the visual display. Production AV’s Nathan Dunbar project managed the supply, delivery, build and operation of the screens. The main screen was made up of 18 panels of the modular Desay M6 outdoor LED screens, which the team fitted together to create the large-scale LED wall. A host of content was shown to audiences enjoying the summer weather, including live BBC streams of the Tokyo Olympics and Channel 4’s Paralympics, BBC Proms as well as family films and local business advertising. The event was part of a drive by Cheltenham Borough Council to bring residents back into the centre of the town and drive s
UK - London’s The Royal Central School of Speech and Drama staged a production of the musical Spring Awakening recently, which saw lighting and video design students create, programme and operate the visual aspects using Hippotizer Amba Media Servers. Central student Jack Fone took the helm in the pre-production process, alongside fellow Central students Adler Williams on animation and Simon Moss, who’s studying production lighting. The team created a striking set dominated by a huge crucifix stage back, flanked by projected images designed to augment the narrative. The two Hippotizer Amba Media Servers were fed three live camera inputs, comprising two operated cameras backstage, and a locked off camera overhead. These fed four projectors, two for the header display and two for the back wall adjacent to the crucifix centre stage. “I’ve been blendin
