London-based creative technology expert Realtime Environment Systems Ltd (RES) provided the Avolites Ai media server know-how for the performance, which was a completely new and bespoke set up for Creamfields.
"We designed a custom metal frame which surrounded Eric on the stage - we wanted to move away from just huge video shows which Eric has done lots of in the past, and design a stage that used set, lighting and video to give an illusion of depth," explains RES founder Mark Calvert.
More than 100 lighting fixtures were employed for the spectacle, including Clay Paky Sharpys, Robin LEDWash 600s, and various strobes, wash and blinders all supplied by Colour Sound Experiment. In addition, the team rigged x4 22W RGB lasers from BPM, and an 8m x 8m 15mm LED screen upstage, supplied by XL Video.
Calvert served as show producer, co-designer and VJ, working alongside Dave Green, technical director at RES and Ai expert. Eric Prydz's VJ was Liam Tomaszewski and lighting designer was Ross Chapple.
For the visuals, RES specified an Ai S6 server and x2 Apple Macbook Pro laptops with Avolites Miami dongles. These allow users to run Ai on laptops, enabling creation, design and full 3D visualisation of projects on the move. The Ai unlock keys also allow output of HD video, enabling shows and presentations to be run directly from a laptop or a full server.
"Simply put, we worked with the S6 as given its hardware spec, we find it never drops a beat," says Calvert. "Eric's creative genius Liam Tomaszewski designed some incredible custom clips for the show, fired using Ai on the laptops."
Ross Chapple used Avolites' Arena console to control the lighting for all of the acts on Eric Prydz's 'Pryda' stage, which included Maceo Plex, Adam Beyer and special guest, Sasha. The line-up was curated by Eric Prydz himself.
(Jim Evans)
