Bright Norway, formerly AVAB CAC has been involved with the event since the first tattoo held over 25 years ago, supplying full technical services including lights, audio, video, staging and special effects but as the years have passed, the event has become more spectacular and complex.
As Hans Peter Jenssen, Bright Norway's network specialist explains, "This show is very complex timing wise. As one band leaves the arena, another has to enter on precise cues and this has to be timed with actors, singers and backline equipment to enter and exit at the right time. For this we needed a system that could handle such demands. The director needs full communication with lights and video, which in turn needs communication with follow spots and stage machinery operators. There are also six primary change over locations all tied together with a Green-GO system from ELC Lighting.
Green-GO is a communications system which simply plugs into an existing PoE network. Most intercom and cueing systems used for live performances in theatres, opera houses and concerts rely on separate networks of discrete wiring or dedicated data networks and proprietary protocols, sometimes with complex and expensive central management equipment. But with Green-GO, all that's required is a simple connection of the outstations. Once set up, all group data is stored locally so there is no need for an expensive central matrix.
The challenges Hans Peter outlines form a complex matrix of 'who speaks to who'. He continued, "Before the introduction of Green-GO, this was done using a confusing array and combination of analogue Clear-Com, wireless radios and switchers. With the network based Green-GO system, we could simply embed the communications into the existing lighting control network and tap into it at various locations around the venue."
The Green-GO system was chosen by the production's lead technical team - project managers Per Ola Holden and Jesper Herning together with Hans Peter. Having all worked with the analogue system and with the advent of advance networking available to both sound and lighting systems, they agreed it was time to upgrade communications to a similar standard.
Although Bright Norway have specified the Green-GO system on a number of other projects, this was the first large scale deployment of the system. "We installed 18 beltpacks, two eight-channel desk stations, four Green-GO POE switches, 1 4-wire interface and a 2-wire interface."
Hans Peter continued, "Our experience of using Green-GO on similar productions, including live broadcasts and festivals allowed us to efficiently design the system to suit our needs, yet still be flexible to accommodate changes that would happen along the way. Green-GO really is a unique system, allowing us to embed the communications inside our existing networks, while the group user management software allows us to easily tailor standardised equipment to each production.
"In addition to the Norwegian Military Tattoo, we have since deployed this larger scale system for the Nobel Peace Prize concert, the Norwegian Eurovision finals and numerous other live television events. We have not come across a system with similar intuitive user interfaces and ease of installation - and believe me, we have certainly looked hard."
(Jim Evans)
