The video projection surface was made up of five motorised roller blind style screens that could be arranged in different formats. Each screen was fed by an overlaid front-projecting pair of R18s. The video projection was transmitted in high-definition with various inserts (both recorded and live) to match any required size, position or shape.
OnlyView is a multi-screen software capable of managing multi-projection using any kind of media (video, still images, text, sound etc) and any kind of projection system (video projectors, plasmas, daylight screens) onto any type of screen shape. It's also the only software of its kind able to manage live video inserts without the addition of an interface.
In addition to supplying the 10 Barco R18 video projectors and the OnlyView system, E//T//C UK also supplied four PIGI 6kW large format projectors with rotating double scrollers to project onto a 52m wide by 14m high scenic proscenium arch that framed the stage and the five motorised video screens. These were soft-edged together and programmed on OnlyCue, E//T//C's highly successful large format projector control software.
A big part of the success was due to both projection systems being rigged to ensure no sightline obstructions from the TV camera crane. The projectors were rigged onto trusses at 15m high, and the Barcos were installed vertically to match the screen design.
E//T//C UK's Ross Ashton and Patrice Bouqueniaux from E//T//C Audiovisuel in France worked closely with MTV Europe Music Awards production manager Dominic Peissel, Richard Turner who was managing the video programming and Lee Lodge from Hello Charlie, the graphics agency producing the content.
Hello Charlie based the still PIGI (large format) images and the Barco video images on the same graphic design concept. Both types of video elements were integrated with Al Gurdon's lighting design. The PIGI OnlyCue system was programmed and operated by Karen Monid and the OnlyView system by Nicolas Manichon, Karim Belkacem and Richard Turner. E//T//C UK's Paul Highfield and Patrice Bouqueniaux joined forces to deal with the project management and logistics.
Patrice Bouqueniaux comments: "The biggest challenge on this project was to be able to react instantly to any requests from the graphics team or artistic director, Hamish Hamilton, as well as having to time the cues precisely with the beat of the music in a live performance situation. Additionally, we needed to achieve light levels from the projectors to match rock concert lighting. The impact of the projection was a big enhancement to the live performance - like a sort of live giant music video on stage".
(Lee Baldock)
