Blackout is well known for its truss and rigging services, skills which proved invaluable when it designed and installed a temporary 18m wide by 8m tall screen using the specialist Demopsec screen material, of which Blackout is a UK distributor.
The company provided further infrastructure for the event including the ground support for the screen, the entrance way banner structure, general outdoor waterproof stock drapes across the site and six 10m rigging masts to fly the sound system.
Kevin Monks, Blackout's installations director, said, "This was our second large-scale outside cinema event in London this summer (Blackout also worked on the prestigious Somerset House/Film 4 screenings) and it was an opportunity to further cement Blackout's reputation beyond supplying rigging and drapes. Our ability to provide and rig durable, high-quality projection screens for all types of events is already starting to attract attention.
"The derig for this event was particularly tricky and had to be postponed due to high winds presenting a safety issue. However, we worked closely with the event's organisers to ensure that all deadlines were met."
The event attracted over 8,000 people and was one of the largest pop up cinema events of its kind and saw attendees don fancy dress, with organisers replicating scenes from the movies with actors and audience participation.
Jonny Ruddy, production manager at Future Cinema, said, "We were aware of Blackout through their work with other outside cinema events in the city and contracted them after receiving comprehensive advice on our requirements and a very good value quote. The screen itself was perfect for an outside event such as ours and offered the high quality of image that our customer expects. The weekend was a sell out and we're already looking forward to next year's outside events, as well as various indoor events happening this winter."
(Jim Evans)
