Continuing a long running relationship with Teenage Cancer Trust, Producer Des Murphy, and Production team, Steve Allen, Julie Chennells, and Nancy Skipper, PRG XL Video have once again supported the charity’s annual run of fundraising live shows at the Royal Albert Hall.
PRG XL Video supplied lighting, rigging and video technology for the week-long run of shows which included a comedy evening hosted by John Bishop, as well as concerts by The Vaccines, Simply Red, Bring Me The Horizon, and New Order.
Supplementing the in-house lighting rig at the Royal Albert Hall, PRG XL Video Director Music Group, Yvonne Donnelly Smith worked with in-house Lighting Designer, Gordon Torrington, to specify a combination of PRG Icon Beams rigged on to a Kinesys automation system, and Ayrton Magic Blades as part of the floor package. The design created a dynamic and versatile look which was ideal for the variety of different performances during the week. Gordon Torrington explained: “The Icon Beams are the ideal addition to the in-house rig, as they create a more dynamic show for the music acts. The Magic Blades used in the floor package create more subtle effects for the comedy acts and during the Teenage Cancer Trust’s interval presentation.” In addition to the main rig, eight of the company’s VL 3000 spots with custom gobos were directed across the acoustic panels inside the roof of the hall, and displayed Teenage Cancer Trust logos and icons.
Lighting throughout the week was programmed by Dave Farmer using a Whole Hog console, which was also used by the artists’ own lighting designers to control the individual shows. For Saturday’s show by New Order, the band’s Lighting Designer, Andy Liddle requested some additions to the package, so PRG XL Video supplied additional Icon Beams, plus Robe BMFL and Mac Viper Profile fixtures to add extra impact to the production.
PRG XL Video’s Crew Chief for lighting and rigging was Gordon Torrington, with Simon Barrett leading the video crew on site.
The main video screen was flown centrally above the stage. Measuring 8.4 metres wide by 4.8 metres high, the screen was formed from ROE seven mm LED, and was used before and between performances to display information and movies about the Trust’s work, fundraising information, sponsor advertising, as well as for playback content and IMAG footage for the artists each evening.
An additional “ticker-tape” screen, 28.8 metres wide and 1.2 metres high, built from PRG XL’s new ROE Vanish 25 semi-transparent LED, displayed logos and fundraising information including the ‘Text to’ number. It was also incorporated by some of the artists for their performance content. Playback content for the screens was served via a combination of Catalyst Media Server and a Grass Valley Turbo system. LED and screen control systems were engineered and supported by PRG XL technician, Gareth Manicom.
Teenage Cancer Trust also requested a camera system which could be used for live IMAG footage, as well as to capture the shows to create promotional videos and for later public release. For this PRG XL Video supplied four Sony HXC-100 HD cameras, with a variety of lenses, either manned or remotely controlled, plus a Bradley Engineering RoboCam. A Grass Valley Karrera PPU was used for the live cuts on the night, engineered by Dhanuka Karunanayake. Six Aja Ki Pro recorders were used to capture all the footage.
PRG XL Video supplied the video package for New Order’s recent US tour, including a video design which included a wide centre LED screen and two columns of LED either side.
For the Saturday Royal Albert Hall show, the LED screen configuration was changed to give a similar appearance, and to fit with the band’s existing playback content. Two additional columns of MC-7 LED were flown either side of the central LED screen.
Director Music Group, Phil Mercer commented: “We’re pleased to be able to support the Teenage Cancer Trust and their production team again this year. The Royal Albert Hall shows always have a fantastic line-up, and we are happy to play our part in helping the charity raise funds and awareness for cancer in young people.”