Working in conjunction with Martin Kuhn of Switzerland's Moodbox, CAST deployed BlackTrax for two major performances at the event - the opening act of the semi final, Urban Orchestra, and the return to the Eurovision stage of 2012's winner, Loreen.
Technical director Ola Melzig comments, "Thanks to BlackTrax, we were able to do things that no one has ever done before - it took the show to a new level. With over 1200 lighting fixtures and almost 30 of the largest, brightest video projectors in the world, we clearly don't make equipment decisions casually. Given the size and complexity of Eurovision you can't have any mistakes. The precise target information that BlackTrax provided was perfect for the acts it was used on."
During the performance by Urban Orchestra, BlackTrax was used to track BMX riders and rollerbladers onstage, enabling effects to be projected on the floor at their exact position, without any lag or drift of the effect from the performer. Dancers, meanwhile, performed in line with pre-programmed effects and therefore were required to be in exactly the right position at the right time in order for effects to follow them accurately.
At times this proved tricky to pull off, but thanks to BlackTrax, the skaters and riders (with the infrared emitter LEDs of the BTBeacon attached to their helmets) had the freedom to time their stunts as they wished and land wherever they wanted or needed to, without having to worry about cues and positioning.
(Jim Evans)
