The show features both high definition playback and IMAG video directed by Phil Woodhead, and the account is being project managed for XL by Phil Mercer.
Mercer says: "Over and above the standard IMAG requirements for a tour of this scale, XL is providing state-of-the-art hi-def playback, projection and control equipment, giving maximum impact to the specific sections of the show utilising pre-recorded video."
Material is projected onto an 11m wide by 5m electric roller screen that comes in centre stage, and also onto two 16 by 19 ft side screens. The compact, very bright Christie's - part of several new additions to the XL projection fleet - are rigged on a front truss, and beam onto the centre screen, while the two side screens are fed by a pair of rear-projected Barco R12+ machines.
The six songs worth of pre-recorded content are stored on a V1 hi-def Doremi hard drive which is controlled via a Barco Events Manager system. These sections of the show are all cued via timecode and synched to the click track.
The camera package consists of three of XL's Sony D50s. Two are in the pit - one with a wide angle lens stage left, and the other with a standard lens that also goes hand-held onstage at specific points. The third is positioned at FOH with a long throw lens. There's also a remote overhead mini DV cam strapped to the truss, and another one on the keyboards.
All these are fed into Woodhead's GV Kayak mixer/switcher unit. He also has a digital Magic DVE at his disposal for effects. The camera mix goes exclusively onto the two side screens, leaving the centre screen for playback footage at the appropriate moments. "It's very much a classic rock 'n' roll mix with a few little twists and nuances," says Woodhead.
XL's crew of 6 are Mark Hughes, Matt Vassallo, Hugo Levien, Sacha Moore, Andy Warwick and Phil Woodhead. Richard Turner was also involved extensively in programming the Events Manager during pre-production.
There are just 6 tracks of playback in the show, and used sparingly and thoughtfully, it has maximum impact. All these tracks were made by Blink TV, produced by Tom Colbourne and directed by Marcus Viner who worked closely with the live show's artistic director Michael Gracey, and Will Young himself.
There are three primary video concepts: A 1960's style pastiche of American household TV commercials for the track Happiness - with all products called 'Happiness'; a big airport themed section and a 1970's gameshow section. Due to the heavily stylisation of these pieces, Blink brought Alan Macdonald (fresh from production designing Stephen Frear's acclaimed movie The Queen) onboard as art director to oversee the set design and styling.
The 70's gameshow section involved an extensive hi-def shoot at Island Studios, reconstructing a cheesey American gameshow set and lighting rig. Will Young gives a hilarious performance as the gameshow host, complete with some fabulous 70's styling, gloriously dodgy outfits and wigs and 15 extras as 'contestants'. This shoot yielded footage for 3 tracks, edited by Colbourne.
A green-screen shoot at Island Studios produced the Happiness montage period style TV commercials for household products, starring a suitably 1960's looking actress as the 'Happiness Woman' for all ads. A series of original 1960's household interiors were then digitally composited to make the backgrounds.
The airport section involved the creation of a panoramic full 3D animated airport exterior view, on which Blink worked with Bristol based graphics house, Hello Charlie. This sequence opens the show in stunning style, complete with a full troupe of dancers dressed as flight attendants and Will dressed in a pilot's uniform and shades.
The tour is
