Framing the stage for the Gorillaz performance, Blackout supplied 4 track systems fitted with red velour to represent a secondary proscenium arch. Two 12m x 9m white filled cloth and red velour Kabukis drops added a projection surface. A "Peppers Ghost" effect was created using two translucent panels and a projector truss and projector beams bounced images back on screen where they were combined with life size silhouettes of band members. Blackout's own Kinesys conventional motor control was used for the downstage drapes.
For Shakira's performance, silver shimmer gauzes painted by Mantaray were flown in on Blackout's Kinesys controlled motors, and after Green Day's explosive performance, Blackout designed 100 "surrender flags" which were given out to the crowd. Additionally a 60 x 3 metre canvas banner and a variety of backdrop banners printed with the MTV Europe Music Awards logo, were created by Blackout for the press and media areas.
The site was managed by Dominic Peissel, general manager of Blackout France, who is also the Head of Site Operations for MTV Europe Music Awards. The rigging team was project managed by Blackout's Kevin Monks and Oz Marsh.
Chris Organ, band production manager for the MTV Europe Music Awards said: "We required a lot of rigging points to make the show work. With the set design by Ray Winkler at Mark Fisher Studios, Blackout applies their experience to work with the technical design and to facilitate all rigging requirements."
The main stage mother grid was extended, both left and right by 20m x 10m and a gigantic grey proscenium measuring 52m x 14m was supplied by Stage One. Five giant roller blinds were used as a downstage closedown screen and also acted as video projection surfaces. The grid featured part of the LED video wall which was rigged by Blackout using 13 flying points at 850kg each.
Steve Tuck, director at Blackout Ltd, says: "In total, 80 tonnes of lighting, projection and sound equipment was suspended, which included 1.2km of truss and 200 motors. This show is large and continually evolving and our equipment needs to be adaptive to give real value to our clients' needs."(Chris Henry)
