XL was working for marketing and event producers Jack Morton Worldwide, who co-ordinated four similar format/concept sites across London for the wedding. An estimated 1m people lined the streets to catch some of the action, which was broadcast worldwide to a global audience of approximately 2bn. It was the most important UK Royal event for 30 years.
The screens were both made up from Lighthouse R7 panels and were positioned around Nelson's Column. One measured 80sq.m and faced the National Gallery, and the other was 40sq.m, facing eastward pointing down the Strand. Both were rigged on special screen support 'goal post' structures.
A stage was also built in the square, and a house band performed live to entertain the crowds along with presenters, which filled specific slots in the day-long telecast covering the wedding.
XL Supplied a three-camera PPU to relay the on-stage action to the screens which was directed by Jerry Rosenfield. Cameras were positioned one at front-of-house with long lens and two in the pit at the front of stage. When there was no live music scheduled, the screens received a satellite TV feed of the BBC's broadcast of the wedding ceremony and procession.
XL was also supplied with special content by Jack Morton including advertising showreels, transitional stings and graphics, which was edited on site the night before and played out from two GV Turbo T2 hard drives.
The project was led for XL by Steve Greetham, who comments, "It was a relatively straightforward installation, and obviously seriously high profile, that needed precision, efficiency and delivery of all the expected standards of excellence. Two long days of hard work ran really smoothly with great results which really contributed to the public enjoyment of the event."
He worked with a team of nine, comprising LED technicians, camera operators, an engineer and Rosenfield.
(Jim Evans)
