E//T//C UK was working for event producers, Unusual Services, who's end client was the Ministry of Defence (MOD). E//T//C UK's Ross Ashton worked closely with the project's creative director Sheelagh Barnard to produce the show.
The projections - Images from The Archives - a five year chronological photo album of the war years - were beamed onto the Palace for the five nights running up to the weekend of celebratory events. The photomontage praised the courage of citizens and military alike throughout the War years.
E//T//C UK has projected onto the Palace before. The first time was for the Queen's Golden Jubilee in 2002; also working with Unusual Services and the first time this had been done legitimately.E//T//C utilized seven 6Kw PIGI projectors, all with double rotating scrollers. Three were focused on the smaller portrait orientated turret areas of the Palace, and the other four were run in two cross-fading pairs on the landscape panel section in between the turrets. The machines were located just inside the forecourt of the Palace, on special platforms butted up to the railings, and lined up with the palace pillars. They utilized 15.5cm lenses, and each projected an image approx 32m wide.
The projectors were programmed by Andy Murrell using PIGI OnlyCue software running on a PC, with on site support from technician Cy Doddimead. Featuring nearly 500 images in total, the projection show was an integral element of Unusual's pitch for the overall project, which also included the creating on a Living Museum, a parade, fly past and a commemorative concert. Barnard first started researching the projection show and pictures over a year ago, a task that intensified once her concept for the story was approved just before Christmas.
The MOD negotiated a deal with Getty Images who donated the rights of the photos used to the project. Once Barnard had made her final selection, they were submitted to the Queen who approved each one - before they were handed to Ross Ashton for making into PIGI scrolling and animated artwork.
"This was a totally different challenge to the Jubilee," said Ashton, "The effects had to add a dynamic element to the projection, but this was never going to be as 'full on', as the Jubilee. A much more dignified and respectful tone was needed. I think that we achieved that."
The final two weeks preceding the show proved exacting and tense for all concerned, but everyone pulled together to bring off an amazing show. E//T//C took four days to install the hardware and another day of pre-programming in the office to reduce the amount of time needed for this aspect on site.
The effects were officially turned on by John Reid MP, Secretary of Defence and the 24 minute show, which ran four times per night, included images of Hitler being beamed onto the side the Palace - ironically the closest he ever came to setting foot in England!
Sheelagh Barnard comments: "It was the first time I have worked with Ross and E//T//C, but it's been a very positive experience and the projections looked amazing."
(Sarah Rushton-Read)
