E\T\C UK and XL Video visualise at Autosports

XL Video and large format projection specialists E\T\C UK have cooperated to create an exciting, fast moving backdrop for the Live Arena at the 2003 Autosports Show at the NEC.
They were working for event producers The PMi Partnership on this popular and renowned autosports show.
Staged in the NEC’s Hall 4, Autosports Live featured a breathtaking, action packed, auto stunts show highlighting the fastest, most streamlined and technologically advanced racing machines in the world. Five hour-long shows a day were attended by approximately 22,500 punters daily over four days.
With the arena in landscape format, and the audience placed along one of the long sides, the visual requirement was to create a dramatic 250 ft wide backdrop that changed scenes and locations opposite the seating stands. Screens for XL’s live video camera shoot also had to be located in optimum positions for public viewing.
PMi suggested large format projection as the most cost effective route to provide a sufficiently bright background of that much surface area that would ‘surround’ XLs three 20 x 15 IMAG video screens. PMi then approached E\T\C UK with this projection concept.
E\T\C UK supplied three PIGI 6 projectors with single scrollers, rigged on a roof truss, for the project. They worked with PMi to create the artwork for the eye-catching backgrounds, including snow scenes, waves, mountains, fireworks, historical montages, etc. The PIGI’s were controlled by a PC running PIGI 6 software, operated and overseen by Andy Joyce. A different backdrop scene was used for each section of the show presented by Jo Guest and Paul Musselle.
XL Video ran a four camera live shoot, relayed onto the three screens incorporated in the backdrop via Barco G10 ELM projectors. This was directed by Phil Woodhead, an aficionado in the fast moving world of autosports video direction. Chief engineer was Richard Burford. The mix was crafted and produced from XL’s busy OB truck stationed just behind the backdrop.
In addition to the four standard, ground-based, operated cameras, XL supplied an in-car single chip cameras, complete with new high-speed microwave receivers from Link Research.
Lighting gear was supplied by LSD and sound (with dB mayhem exceeding that of the most turbocharged thrash metal band on earth) was from SSE.
(GB)