Per Sundin was again called in as lighting designer for the event, an honour bestowed upon him for 12 consecutive years. Ola Melzig was production manager, overseeing all aspects of lighting and video from build up through broadcast.
W-DMX was used in new ways this year. The Blue Hall, where the banquet takes place, is big space and the lighting is spread out in virtually every corner. "W-DMX is a life saver at this event," said Melzig, "In past years we've used it on moving lights that had W-DMX receivers built in. This year we had to light the Prince's Gallery, where the King holds a reception for the Nobel Laureates. From front of house, The Gallery is on the other side of a room where the Nobel winners were interviewed on live TV, so we couldn't run cable through there. The signal went through three very thick marble walls with no problem whatsoever."
A W-DMX Generation 3 BlackBox S-1 transmitter was used in combination with a BlackBox B-500 booster and directional antenna to ensure penetration of the three thick stone walls. On the other side, a W-DMX BlackBox R-512 receiver delivered a perfect signal to six SGM Genio Mobile LED units. Inside the Blue Hall, W-DMX was used for an MDG Atmosphere fog machine which delivered special effects during the entertainment segments. Even in an environment thick with cell phones, live broadcast cameras and numerous radios, none of the W-DMX controlled equipment ever lost signal.
"It's just so important for equipment to be reliable for this event," said Melzig, "and if a product helps us solve a problem, it makes it an easy choice."
(Jim Evans)
