It was the first time that scenic video has been used on the event. The MiTrix was specified by lighting and visual designer Nigel Catmur, who has lit the show for the last four years, and wanted to introduce a new contemporary look. The show was broadcast "as live" on BBC radio and television, and was won by The Klaxons with their album Myths of The Near Future.
With 11 of the 12 nominated artists performing live, the video element added to the dynamics and presentation of the show, ensuring that each band's set looked different.
Richard Turner came onboard as video designer and programmer to work with Catmur in producing special content for the show. They also collaborated closely with set designer Robert Dunsmore. XL's project manager was Tim Riley, their overall client was NMP show producers Lipfriend Rodd, for whom the event was production managed by Chris Organ.
The MiTrix was arranged in different sized strips behind each of the three stages in the Grosvenor's Great Room. The original design for these was inspired by the work of light artist Dan Flavin - the American minimalist artist famous for creating sculptural objects and installations from commercially available fluorescent light fixtures.
The onstage MiTrix strips were rigged behind sharkstooth gauzes, to add depth and texturing to the effect, and to create the optical illusion of making the compact sized stages appear much larger than they actually were - both to the camera and the live audience.
Richard Turner created most of the content in Final Cut Pro and Adobe After Effects following a loose brief from Catmur. This proved a very organic process and they were both keen to avoid the standard 'blocky' video look that is so common on TV shows, and to produce something altogether more ethereal and abstract.
Turner then programmed all the clips into a Catalyst digital media server - which he was using as an actual playback device for the first time! In this case, it was spec'd for the job because of it's speed and ease of use for this type of application. It was the latest Catalyst V4, which has the ability to fade between presets.
(Jim Evans)
