XL Video helps theatre gain a 'Measure' of success

XL Video has continued its relationship with innovative theatre with their contribution to The National Theatre's production of 'Measure For Measure'.
The Shakespeare play, a collaboration between Theatre de Complicite and The National staged at the Olivier Theatre, encompasses several firsts for video: the first time a Catalyst digital media server has been used at the National Theatre; the first time video images from camera playback have been manipulated live; and the first time that the whole performance area floor has been utilised as a projection canvass.
Video takes on many roles throughout the performance. It’s used as a scene and location setter and as moving metaphorical backgrounds or textures to emphasise the interaction and dramatic tension between characters. Live cameras are used to heighten specific moments of the play.
The video and projection system is designed by Mesmer’s Sven Ortel, working with his colleagues Dick Straker and Ian Galloway, and the project was co-ordinated for XL by Malcolm Mellows.
XL Video supplied the two 2 GHz Catalyst media servers, complete with a special version of its proprietary software, written by developer Richard Bleasdale. This offered more layers than normal, and allowed them to take in the two live camera feeds per unit.
XL is also supplying a Barco G10 for the floor projection - the latter complete with a customised vertical flying frame so the machine can be rigged at the correct angle and a 40-inch plasma screen. The rear projection is done with a double stack of the National’s own Barco 6500 projectors.
A total of seven cameras are used for the show – two Spycams, a pan/tilt 3-chip zoom camera, a CCTV camera and 3 mini DV cams, one controlled by a wireless remote system. Two of the DV cams are operated live by the actors.
Mr Ortel specified the Catalyst primarily because it was the only reliable system available with sufficient capacity to be able to handle live video inputs, manipulate them in real time as well as playback good quality at high resolution. The Catalysts are operated by Ian Galloway and handle a total of four video inputs including of the DV cams.
The Catalysts are run in high XGA resolution 1024 x 768 mode. This is needed for the scale of the projection surfaces, and the fact that the playback material contains a lot of detailed information needing to be viewed clearly. Sven Ortel also wanted to experiment with graphic textures on the floor, which was only possible using the G10 pointing vertically downwards in tandem with the Catalyst’s high-resolution settings. The end result has massive dramatic impact.
“This show would have been impossible to realise in time without using Catalyst, and the creative potential of the project excited everyone I spoke to. Richard Bleasdale (developer), Hugh Davies-Webb (High End Catalyst support), Ross Williams (Catalyst Service Provider) and Malcolm Mellows (XL Video) were all waiting for the next opportunity to prove that Catalyst can do it all, so when this specific design challenge arose, they all pulled together to make it happen. It’s definitely the best and most flexible system for theatre I’ve encountered so far!” Mr Ortel said.
XL’s Malcolm Mellows added: “We are undertaking a complete upgrade of our G5 Catalyst fleet to meet these new specifications, and in readiness for future, groundbreaking Catalyst Media Server developments.”
(gmcg)