Elation assists World Cup Qatar countdown
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Unveiled last November in Doha, the Official Countdown Clock ticks down through every hour, minute and second to the opening game at Al Bayt Stadium on 21 November. Working for client fischerAppelt Qatar, ES:ME Entertainment Services handled lighting, rigging and audio for the reveal event, including hanging of a translucent screen. ES:ME also provided technical support, whilst lighting design was handled by visual design and technology company bright! studios of Germany.
ES:ME has worked on many of fischerAppelt’s big events over the last 10 years and for the Countdown Clock reveal supplied a show lighting package of 22 Elation Proteus Maximus, 28 Proteus Hybrid and 31 Rayzor 760 fixtures.
“I like to use Elation, especially the Proteus Maximus and Proteus Hybrid with their marine grade specification because they work great in Qatar’s harsh environment,” states CEO of ES:ME Entertainment Services, Alexander Wuerfel, who notes that they began investing in Elation lighting three years ago. “Although it’s a hot and often humid climate that lies directly on the sea, I can rely on these products.”
The elegant hourglass curves of the Countdown Clock were inspired by the unbroken loop of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 emblem and the ancient timekeeping tool. The reveal event’s objective was to generate anticipation for the upcoming tournament and create an atmosphere of excitement using lighting and projection as the clock was unveiled.
In addition to the reveal, several special guests took the stage under a sky filled with a captivating aerial drone display and digital fireworks. As the production was streamed live so that football fans worldwide could watch the milestone virtually, it was key to both light the participants and fill the camera with beams and colour. The Proteus Maximus were used to provide key light while beams from the Proteus Hybrid, some at ground positions behind the projection, filled the camera. The compact Rayzor 760 wash lights with their seven oversized front lenses, as well as other fixtures, provided ambient, eye-candy looks for camera.
fischerAppelt won a Gold Medal for creative excellence at the international advertising competition Golden Award of Montreux 2022 with the event. The awards honour outstanding work across the areas of advertising, media, digital and events. The Countdown Clock event isn’t the only FIFA event that ES:ME has completed using their Elation gear however. Last November, they incorporated Proteus Hybrids on an opening show of the FIFA Arab Cup.
