Top Gear Live, a co-presentation with the BBC, is an all-action 90 minute performance car spectacular fusing theatre with stunts and turbo-charged fun for petrol-heads. Presented by Top Gear anchors Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May, at the 2008 MPH Show, it was staged in a 5000 seater arena that sold out up to four shows a day.
Simon Aldridge from PMI production managed the live show with XL's managing director Lee Spencer acting as project manager. Phil Woodhead directed with the show being engineered on site for XL by Richard Shipman.
XL supplied a four-camera PPU featuring three Sony DXC55 cameras - one with Sony J70 long lens at the FOH position, and two with medium throw lenses stationed at floor level just behind the barriers left and right of the arena - plus a truss-mounted remote head. Woodhead cut the fast-paced mix using a GVG Kayak console.
Pre-recorded video material was stored on two Doremi hard drives and replayed on cue in line with the show's script. The screens were two Lighthouse R7s, located left and right of the central position and measuring approximately 100sq.m combined. They featured a mix of playback footage and IMAG throughout the show.
(Jim Evans)
