For the fourth year in succession, Stage One was brought on board by MTV Networks International to build the house stage for this high-profile event and was also responsible for building specific sets and props for several of the artists, including Madonna, Black Eyed Peas, Akon and the Gorillaz.
"It's fantastic to be working with MTV Networks International again on such an exciting and vibrant live event," said Steve Dolan, project manager for Stage One. He continued: "Stage One offers a great deal of expertise for events like this and that's why our clients return year after year to use our services."
To ensure a greater degree of visual variety and a smooth handover between acts, several distinct performance areas were constructed including: a full arena-width stage with cantilevered open steel treads and two catwalks leading down into the arena to small satellite stages. A 12m diameter rolling stage was then built to the front, extendable to a distance of 16m.
Onstage, a 50-metre proscenium arch was constructed, incorporating a five-unit pvc roller projection screen. Each unit could be set to differing positions, using Stage One's Q-Motion control system and the acts were able to perform either to the front or behind, creating yet further performance space.
(Lee Baldock)
