Presented with a unique COVID-19 era challenge, veteran Super Bowl Production Designer, Bruce Rodgers enlisted the technical support of TAIT, Roc Nation, Jesse Collins, Dave Meyers and Diversified Production Services to bring The Weeknd’s Super Bowl LV half-time performance to life for around 25,000 socially distanced fans and cardboard cutouts at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. Acclaimed creative designers Es Devlin, La Mar Taylor and Alex Lill as well as lighting guru Al Gurdon brought a wealth of experience to the crew – experience that proved invaluable during the early lighting design discussions. “This creative team was very passionate…
Author: Jacob Waite
Produced by The Next Web (TNW), the fourth edition of Integrated Systems Europe (ISE) RISE Spotlight saw a number of industry insiders gather – virtually – to get to grips with Live Events Experiences, Reinvented. With the live events sector in such a fragile and precarious condition due to the uncertain future of mass gatherings amid the COVID-19 pandemic – artists, managers and show creators are finding new ways to provide content to global audiences. As part of ISE’s latest online offering, TPi Editor, Stew Hume assembled a panel of experts to find out more. Following opening remarks from TNW,…
Just when we’ll be able to gather together in densities that allow for a functioning, financially sustainable events industry is anybody’s guess right now. Even those best placed to make a prediction are unwilling to do so; calls for a ‘not before’ date fall on deaf ears and it’s certain that schools, universities, and retail outlets are first in line when it comes to the post-lockdown gradual reopening. The fairly consistent message in working groups, industry briefings and ministerial round tables is that a gradual return is more likely than a rush to normality once the most at-risk people are…
Located in Cornwall, the Eden Project has been home to two large geometric bubble-like Biomes, aptly named ‘Rainforest’ and ‘Mediterranean’, since opening to the public in March 2001. The Rainforest Biome boasts the world’s largest indoor rainforest – spanning 50m high and 16,000 sq m, while the Mediterranean Biome houses more than 1,000 varieties of plant from that region. For the second year running, GLX Productions was tasked with the design and delivery of Biome lighting for the latest rendition of Christmas at the Eden Project. Over the course of five days, the GLX Productions team of Production Manager and…
What sparked your interest in live events? “I was already in the live industry as a cameraman for extreme sports shows which, for the most part, requires a similar skillset, when I was approached to join The Rolling Stones Bridges to Babylon Tour in ’97–98 because someone dropped out. The rest, as they say, is history…” How has your workflow evolved in recent times? “The advance in technology, particularly the emergence of media servers and advanced LED screen setups, has meant that I’ve had to acquire and absorb more technical information.” What are some of your career highlights so far?…
Internationally renowned temporary structures provider, Arena Group, like most in the live events sector, has faced an unprecedented challenge since March 2020 with the immediate grounding of the sector in territories across the globe. In order to survive this trying time, the company has implemented a two-pronged strategy: a plea for investment to the company’s loyal stockholders; and a re-evaluation of its target markets, moving into new sectors including education, medical and military applications. Arena Group EMEA CEO, Paul Berger reflected on the lessons learned from 2020 and speculated what lies ahead for the company. “It’s interesting to see how…
It’s a few weeks into 2021 and TPi is chatting over Zoom to a key creative involved in one of the largest-ever virtual gigs assembled, from the comfort of his home in the Scottish Highlands. Instead of merely discussing Jean-Michel Jarre’s latest pioneering stunt, Lighting and Show Designer, Jvan Morandi begins by discussing an online video game, Blitz War, which he and his friends had been playing until the early hours of the morning prior. There is a very good reason for this. According to Morandi, there is something which fellow industry peers, promoters and artists can learn from all-night…
This time last year, the idea of an artist preforming on an extended reality (XR) stage would certainly be out of the norm, but with the usual method of live performance currently out of the question, artists are looking at novel ways to create visually stimulating moments for their fans across the globe. While many studios now offer this state-of-the-art technology, most are quick to explain that the solution is still in the early stages of development and a great deal of trial and error is required before it is perfected. This curiosity to play with technology is exactly what…
Breaking into the fiercely competitive and tightly woven live events industry is difficult for young people at the best of times. Add a global pandemic, the subsequent lockdown of live events and the increasing anxiety of a lost generation of skills to the mix and it can seem like an impossible pursuit. However, as has been documented in each print edition of TPi since COVID-19 reared its ugly head, where there is constraint, there is innovation. Take aspiring show designer, Cedric Duré, for example. Born in Antwerp, Belgium, the 17-year old runs a promising show design agency, Outdream Creative. His…
With the onset of COVID-19, the demand for broadcast-quality virtual events has risen tenfold. Early adopters of the new age of virtual events, recently surpassing a million delegates for its virtual event solutions in 2020, is creative communications agency, DRPG. The company’s bases in the Midlands, Windsor, the North and central London include 4.2 acres of production facilities, eight fully equipped edit suites, two state-of-the-art studios, digital innovation labs, a dedicated print facility, 3D projection cinema, construction centre and contemporary design suite – consolidating the firm’s growing reputation as a virtual events virtuoso. Before COVID-19 tossed the proverbial live events…
For the past 12 months, almost every industry has been searching for solutions to make working from home as effective as possible. This very magazine, for example, has been put together since March with the team working from various locations across the North of England. Magazine publishing is one thing, but the idea of a lighting designer, audio engineer or video director working from home for a live performance is another thing entirely. Indeed, the world of live events seemed like one particular vocation that would not be able to adapt to a WFH arrangement – that was until a…
While much of the world is experiencing some form of mandated lockdown, the number of those turning to video games as a form of light relief or escapism is rising. However, esports – the competitive side of gaming – has experienced a rocky road, with physical events and tournaments falling victim to the pandemic and players unable to travel to compete. While the pandemic has cancelled many and threatens to cancel further esports events, COVID-19 secure tournaments such as Flashpoint Season 2 provides CS:GO (Counter Strike: Global Offensive) players – albeit on camera rather than in person – as well…
The ‘integration of video and lighting’ has been a developing point of interest in the live events industry for some time. With show designers, creative directors, lighting designers and content creators assessing the creative parameters of a stage, the days of video and lighting departments existing as separate entities are seemingly over. In line with the merging of worlds, Avolites has announced its latest flagship console, the Diamond 9. Released in two versions – D9-330 and D9-215 – with the tagline ‘designed by visual designers, for visual designers’ the new consoles promise to combine lighting, media and other visual aspects…
64 Audio recently embarked on the company’s first livestream event on 30 January, aptly titled, 64 Audio Winter Stream Event. “At 64 Audio, we want to create a music movement that truly supports and inspires music creators and music consumers,” said 64 Audio Founder and Chief Technical Officer, Vitaliy Belonozhko. “We are passionate about music and audio and our goal is that all musicians, audiophiles and music lovers get the best audio experience possible while using our products. Our first livestream event, as well as planned future livestreams, has been designed to educate and inform our customers and potential new customers…
DRPG Group recently hosted a live launch for Birmingham Hippodrome’s brand new Young Advocates pilot programme on 3 February. The programme features 16 local 14 to 22 year olds, who were selected among 150 applicants to receive mentoring, training and development to help shape the future of the theatre. The selected group met for the first time for a special digital live launch event, hosted by Worcestershire-based creative communications agency, DRPG. The evening featured an exclusive Q&A session with Birmingham Hippodrome Artistic Director and Chief Executive, Fiona Allan; Director of Artistic Programme of Birmingham Hippodrome, Chris Sudworth and DRPG Chief…
PPDS has appointed Frank Trossen to the role of International Key Account Director. Reporting to Franck Racapé, Vice President EMEA, and working from the manufacturer’s Amsterdam head office. His areas of expertise include international sales including North America, strategic planning, routes to market, channel strategy, channel sales, solution selling, international business, distribution sales, partner sales, key account management and professional services. Commenting on his appointment, Trossen said: “PPDS is a company that is already on a well-established, fantastic journey and I’m truly excited about the opportunities that lie ahead. Joining a company during a pandemic isn’t ideal, but the team…
Powersoft is set to release Building Information Models (BIM) for each of its rack mount amplifier platforms, as well as Mover and Deva HD. The Powersoft BIM files can be inserted into building information modelling software to inform other specialists involved in a project (who may be inexperienced with audio products) of each product’s particular characteristics. Common examples of existing products that already have BIM are lighting fixtures, fire alarms, and even some furniture and telecommunications equipment. These new models have been created to help a prospective architect and / or consultant to specify Powersoft products in their BIM project…
Over 10,000 live music fans were able to kick off the 2020 summer festival season in style with the emergence of New Zealand’s Downtown Shakedown. Taking place at Waitangi Park in Wellington – the diverse line-up featured local acts such as Fat Freddy’s Drop, BENEE, L.A.B., Ladi6, Sola Rosa and Sunshine Sound System. The event was organised by Precision Live, run by Andrew Tuck, the producers behind the country’s major annual music festival, Homegrown. Stage lighting, rigging and site power was supplied by Wellington-based rental company Grouse Lighting with Robe moving lights at the heart of the production design. The…
