Phil Broad was head rigger for the show and worked with the organizers from the concept of the stage set to the practicalities of the rigging on the day. Phil worked with the client, BBC Worldwide, production manager Steve Allen, and Miranda Jones of Mermaid Design to bring the original set design to fruition. Miranda commented: "We took the original design from the television show and adapted it to fit the scale of the MEN. Phil and the Star Rigging team applied initiative and hard work to create a set that looked great and worked practically."
As time was of the essence Phil applied his expertise and experience for the show to find the quickest and easiest way to rig the set and equipment. Star Rigging supplied 200 metres of their own truss and the majority of the 110 motors carrying the set, which included various moving elements. The SugaBabes opened their set singing behind a spectacular wall of flame paper, suspended on a moving truss, to great effect. The Star Rigging’s team rigged the PA, supplied by Brit Row, Screenco’s giant LED screen and LSD’s lighting rig.
Phil Broad commented: "We had a team of seven riggers working for the two days in the run up to the show, to accommodate the tight build schedules. We were able to create an entire rigging solution for the client, hanging the whole set from an intricate rigging system, as well as the lighting and PA."
Star Rigging also supplied two of their newly designed spot platforms for the show, creating a safe working environment for the lighting technicians.
(Lee Baldock)
