The ArKaos software was supplied by IED, whose principal partner, Jeffrey Brown, is also adjunct instructor for theatre/event media and video at CCM. Brown built three media servers specifically to take advantage of the MediaMaster software. "I have had a relationship with the people at ArKaos for years, and I have been a huge fan of their software since before I knew them personally," says Brown.
"Aubrey Berg, the director for Green Day's American Idiot, had certain desires for this production, most notably using a large number of outputs. I know MediaMaster well and I knew that we could accomplish his desires using MediaMaster 4.2."
The three custom-built media servers were placed inside on-stage scenic pieces and at front-of-house to send visuals to twenty televisions on stage and to projectors rigged over the audience. The servers had a total of fourteen outputs, and the media management was handled by networking a laptop into the servers using the same Ethernet system that carried ArtNet control signals. The whole media setup was programmed and operated on a Chamsys MQ60 control console.
The visual elements were programmed and operated by Pauline Humbert who found MediaMaster made the whole technical process very efficient, and used the Video Mapper application as a software matrix switch. "We were able to put the media on the correct surfaces quickly using the Video Mapper," said Humbert.
"Aubrey had a very specific idea of how he wanted to use media in this production, and MediaMaster and Video Mapper made the director's vision possible. We were able to send a single image to all of the televisions for one cue and for the next cue, we could send different images to each individual television."
MediaMaster's ability to send out audio signal also proved a time saver. Cues that needed audio to run in sync with the visuals on stage did not need numerous rehearsals to ensure timing. The audio played from the media servers and was mixed as another source by the audio engineer.
"ArKaos MediaMaster gave us the control we needed, the speed of programming we needed, and the options we needed to create a well received, successful show," concludes Aaron Bridgman. "It was the right tool for this job and we will be taking advantage of the ArKaos technology in future productions."
(Jim Evans)
