This Grandstand style version StandUpper formed an elevated 'press pen' enclosure for the event, containing the vast numbers of media who were in action for the occasion. This dynamic new structure has been developed from Summit's very successful 'marquee' superstructure, originally designed as walkway covering for the red carpet area at the BAFTA Awards for the last two years.
The higher, open end of the StandUpper's slanted roof stood at 5.5m,, while the lower (back) end was at 4.5m. Inside the space, Atlantic installed decking platforms running the full length at the correct height to give the press clearance to get their lenses over the fence at the water's edge of the site. The corrugated aluminium roof and other dressing elements, including draping of the front hand-rails, was completed by Blackfriars.
The SmarTmasts were distributed around the whole Millennium Mills site for broadcast equipment and AV suppliers, Feltech Electronics. Flood lighting was rigged onto the masts, and utilised both for security and as working light for the night shift crews.
Summit's team of 10 riggers was led by Jay Call. Six people completed the StandUpper build and two were deployed on SmarTmast duty. Another two Summit riggers helped the assorted TV crews with cable management and running their wires over to the ExCel side of the river via the walkway bridge to one side of the site.
"It all went very smoothly," says Jay Call, "We were geared up for bad weather as always, but apart from one day with gusting winds up to 38mph the weather was kind to us. We finished the build and get out bang on schedule."
*Eat To The Beat provided crew catering serving over 9,000 meals across the seven days of the G20 Summit. 40 catering staff negotiated challenging security logistics to provide a 24 hour service ensuring that hot food was available throughout.
(Jim Evans)
