ETC UK amalgamated its new OnlyView video control system with the Pigi large format film projection and control platform, OnlyCue, to bring the projections alive on the 150 metre wide by 10 metre high, cream painted, Old Academy building. This provided the graphic and pictorial backdrop to the two-hour event, which featured a two-act narrative and music from an amalgamation of several different military orchestras and bands, plus special guests, and pyrotechnics from Pyro Vision.
Music On Fire was devised and produced by Major Sir Michael Parker for the Army Benevolent Fund, following the huge success of a similar event two years ago. Paul Chatfield, ETC UK's media designer started work on the project back in May. Collaborating closely with Parker, Chatfield researched, designed and produced all the necessary film and video artwork for the projection storyboard accompanying the specially selected music and narrative voice-over.
Chatfield sourced material from many places including Land Forces UK in Wilton, the Firepower Museum in Woolwich, assorted Army and photographic archives and some previous show footage.
The production saw approximately 45 different projection looks combined with an additional 30 video cues spread across the full length of the building, providing vital visual contexts to the narrative. The video projections were either burnt over the top of the PIGI images or dropped into specifically created masks in the artwork - all to great effect.
The OnlyCue system was programmed and operated by Andy Murrell. Onlyview was programmed and operated by Danny Croft who controlled all the video content including live camera for the 2 video surfaces. The projectors were positioned 46 metres from the building, covered by Steeldeck hides, with special new weatherproof covers which ETC now supplies as standard for all shows.
(Jim Evans)
