E/T/C London's Ross Ashton designed and produced custom artwork for the high impact projections which run for approximately 50% of the show. This is the most that projected images have been used to date since the medium was first introduced into the Tattoo's visual mix in 2005.
Four of E/T/C's PIGI 6K projectors fitted with double rotating scrollers are being used for the task. Three are covering the width of the Castle wall area, with the fourth focussed on providing 'drop-ins' in the area around the Castle gates, through which the performers make their entrances.
Ashton worked on the creative content in conjunction with the Tattoo's chief executive and producer, Major General Euan Loudon.
The 60th Tattoo contains its usual international flavour, with a cast in excess of 1000 from around the globe - Tonga to South Africa, Australia to Switzerland - and fresh content to accompany the traditional format that has made it such a hugely popular event. There was also a strong RAF influence - as the featured armed service for 2009 - and a tribute to the 250th anniversary of the birth of Scotland's iconic poet, Robert Burns.
The projection is being controlled via an E/T/C OnlyCue PC-based system, programmed and operated by Karen Monid.
Ashton comments, "The Edinburgh Military Tattoo is one of the highlights of E/T/C's year as well as mine as a designer. I have particularly enjoyed helping to create the 2009 show, and it is good to see the concept of projection becoming more involved in the presentation of this world class event."
(Jim Evans)
