Under the direction of A Caspian, PSL delivered the full staging solution for this year's 2008 Skoll World Forum on Social Entrepreneurship, an annual forum and Awards ceremony to mark the distribution of more than $30 million of grants by the Skoll Foundation, the largest foundation for social entrepreneurship in the world.
For a two-night programme culminating in the Awards, A Caspian Production booked one of Oxford's architectural gems, the famous Sheldonian Theatre. More than 700 people attended the ceremony, which boasted former US President Jimmy Carter as one of its speakers, as well as Jeff Skoll, first president of Ebay and founder of the Foundation.
The D-shaped Sheldonian is the second building designed by Sir Christopher Wren, and presents significant difficulties for the modern production. PSL's project manager Paddy Collier likened the situation to "having three clients; the Skoll Foundation, A Caspian Production and the venue. Rightly, the building's historic interior is fiercely guarded by its custodians. Also there are extensive Health & Safety provisions when you're working in a listed building almost entirely made out of wood."
PSL's creative input was welcomed by its clients, particularly suggestions which helped to give the Awards set a more solid three-dimensional appearance. By using the new Christie 20K projectors on short-throw lenses, PSL was able to deploy sizeable 10' wide screens as an integral element of the set.
Designed in the 17th century as a lecture hall, the Sheldonian Theatre has magnificent natural acoustics so PSL's sound guys had a relatively easy ride, using a small portable d&b PA system primarily for the VT playback audio. Musical entertainment for the Awards Ceremony was provided by Sonidos de la Tierra, young musicians from Paraguay led by Luis Szarán who, in 2005, received a Skoll Award for Social Entrepreneurship.
PSL supplied a simple lighting design comprising Chromabanks across the front of the set for colour looks, with extra spots, zooms and profiles. Lighting engineer Nick Holloway took inspiration from the Sheldonian's majestic pipe organ, and up lit the organ so it became a feature which added uniquely to the set.
Heather Mason, president of A Caspian Production, gave high praise to her supply team: "Karen Riley and Paddy Collier have both exhibited such perseverance and patience - above and beyond the call of duty - which enabled us to cope with the demands of this unique venue."
PSL's Paddy Collier notes: "I've been working with American production companies for several years, and the secret to success is that you can't leave anything to chance." This was reflected in the PSL approach to power in Oxford, with Riley and Collier opting to spend ten weeks getting permission for an on-site generator to provide a secure and uninterruptible power supply for the Skoll Foundation's big night.
(Jim Evans)