The project was managed for XL by Steve Greetham following the screen surfaces being specified for the show, recorded at Granada Studios in Manchester, by Phil Mercer. It was supplied via main lighting contractors, HSL, and co-ordinated from their side by Mike Oates.
The screens formed an integral part of Simon Kimmell's set design, for which the brief was to recreate a 'classically cliched' LE talent show look, complete with opening upstage centre screen for entrances and exits, and lots of video-driven LED elements.
The central screen comprised 14 panels wide by six high of Barco i6XP LED which split apart vertically and tracked on/off stage via a Kinesys automation system. It was flanked by four smaller screens - two a side - each measuring five panels wide and six high of i6XP.
The MiPix was used to create a central stage banner bordering the performance area at ceiling height, plus a 12 panel rear banner strip along the back of the bleacher seating, used for reverse camera shots.
Greetham explains: "They needed a well trusted high resolution screen to cover every eventuality, and the i6XP was a cost effective solution that produced exactly the right effects."
The i6XP and MiPix surfaces were all fed by video content created and stored on a Catalyst media server, triggered by moving light and digital media programmer Svend Pedersen's WholeHog 3 lighting console. Lighting designer for the Pop Factor series was Tom Kinane, and XL supplied LED tech Alain Demy, for the get in and set up in Manchester.
Steve Greetham says: "It was great to work with HSL on this project, and we're looking forward to future similar partnerships with them in this sector."
XL has also supplied several X-Factor tours and television productions with video requirements.
(Jim Evans)
