Three PIGI 6kW projectors with double rotating scrollers were used, located on a specially-built platform at the rear of the seating stands - a throw distance of over 100m. Two PIGIs shone onto a special arched screen to the left, and the other beamed onto the castle keep on the right. The show maximized the dynamic effects of the projectors, which scrolled and rotated constantly in all directions throughout the 90-minute show. E/T/C's Ross Ashton comments: "Ned and Anne had a clear idea of what they wanted initially. It was an interesting show, and they also had some cool new ideas about the presentation, including wanting to project across the large grassy 'stage' area directly in front of the seating."
The grass projections had a great dramatic impact - with huge, bold, bright images darting across the entire width of the 70m performance space. Some slick slide design was required, as the two images used for screen and floor had to be integrated into the same frame of the scroll - both needing different aspect correction to appear in perspective.
The story, written by Anne Cluysenaar, recounted the history of the Castle and the town. Artwork included material and photographs from local archives, plus newly-created images and computer-generated graphics, all supplied by locally-based artists and co-ordinated by Heywood. This was then handed over to Ashton, who produced over 200 images as scrolling artwork for the projectors.
The projection installation was designed by Ashton and programmed by Andy Murrell, who ran the shows using PIGI OnlyCue PC-based software. The E//T//C UK team was aided during set-up and get-out by the lighting crew from Theatre Production Services, led by Dave Tulloch. E//T//C UK has been involved with Chepstow Festival spectaculars since 1996, the first year Heywood and Rainsbury decided to up the technical ante with the addition of the medium.
(Lee Baldock)
