League of Legends World Championship Finals Delivers Immersive Experience with Martin Fixtures
To ensure a visually stunning experience for gamers and fans alike, lighting designers Mathew Stovall, Tiffany Keys, Pete Thornbury and Michael Appel worked together to provide the League of Legends World Championship Finals with an impressive lighting rig featuring an array of Martin professional lighting solutions, supplied by Christie Lites, with MAC Aura PXL playing a key role.
League of Legends is a team-based multiplayer online battle arena video game by developer and publisher Riot Games. Founded in 2011, the League of Legends World Championship is the annual tournament to decide the best team in the world each year, and regularly attracts viewership in the hundreds of millions, making it the global leader in esports. The most recent edition of the tournament began on September 29 and culminated in the 2022 League of Legends World Championship Final on November 5, 2022 at the Chase Center in San Francisco.
In addition to the final match itself, the event began with a stunning opening ceremony that featured musical performances by Lil Nas X, Jackson Wang, Edda Hayes and Louis Leibfried. To ensure exciting and entertaining visual experiences for spectators during the opening ceremony and throughout the event, the event’s production team needed a fresh and unique lighting design. Creative Producer Trevor Burke, Lighting Designer Mathew Stovall, Lighting Directors Tiffany Keys, Michael Appel and TouchDesigner Programmer Pete Thornbury worked together to create a dazzling custom lighting display featuring an array of Martin professional lighting solutions.
“The overall concept came from Mat and Trevor,” said Appel. “Tiffany, Pete and I were implementing their design and making it do things that were appropriate to the moments being created. The show was very video heavy, with holomesh projection surfaces and a massive video screen flying from trusses. Mat was specifically interested in using a pixel front-faced fixture like MAC Aura PXL to bridge the world between video and lighting. They were the centerpieces of the rig. As we went into the different sections of the performance, Pete was able to send his custom video signals to them to enhance what was happening on screen and to support the dancing and the overall performance. In this case, we made specific generative content using mathematical algorithms to create patterns that don’t loop. If you looked at the content on a screen, and not on the lights, it’s pretty basic and doesn’t really look that cool. But it looks awesome on the PXL fixtures.”
MAC Aura PXL is the first wash light to feature individual pixel control for main beam pixels and Aura backlight with full control via DMX, Art-Net and sACN, as well as with Martin’s very own creative P3 video protocol. Thornbury and Appel utilized the Martin P3 platform to facilitate a hybrid role for the MAC Aura PXL fixtures serving as a creative link between the video and lighting elements of the show.
“For me, the Aura PXL is in a class all by itself in terms of what it can do, especially when integrated with P3 system control,” said Appel. “Pete fed custom video content through the P3 server, which allowed Pete and I to share control over the Aura PXL fixtures. While Pete is sending video content to the fixtures through the P3 server, I can control the individual pixels of the beam portion of the light, and also the pan tilt and zoom of the fixture. That’s a unique programming experience that you can’t get from any other unit right now, without using hundreds of extra control channels per fixture. You know you’re going to be able to create something new and exciting. We came up with some very unique looks we couldn’t have pulled off if we used another server and another fixture.”
Thornbury’s role included creating original video patterns to feed to the MAC Aura PXL fixtures, as well as organizing a comprehensive list of unscripted system-wide cues to support any number of possible events and outcomes during the gaming competition itself. Thornbury spoke to the importance of the lighting rig to not only enhance gameplay moments for the audience, but to ensure a positive experience for the players as well.
“Making sure the gamers are seen and comfortable is always priority number one. That’s the whole point of the show,” said Thornbury. “On top of that, we’re able to use the rest of the rig, as long as it doesn’t interfere, for game trigger moments. The whole stage comes alive when some big moment happens, which enhances the crowd reaction.”
In addition to the MAC Aura PXL fixtures, a full complement of Martin solutions helped the lighting team support a wide range of visual scenarios throughout the event with lush colors and impressive eye-candy effects. For example, the MAC Ultra Performance’s unmatched output and next-generation framing system enabled the team to provide beautiful side light and key light for the dancers and performers as well as impressive beam effects. The team also deployed MAC Encore Performance CLD fixtures as key lights for the players on stage, while MAC Viper Performance fixtures provided audience lighting. MAC Axiom Hybrid fixtures supported the event with high-intensity sharpie-style beam effects. Finally, the team deployed an array of MAC Aura XB wash fixtures underneath the stage’s massive stair units to breathe life into an already vibrant scenic design.
“Ultra Performances were our workhorses in the opening ceremony,” said Appel. “We also used a huge array of Aura XBs under the stairs. We were able to use them to create chase sequences, and the beams coming out through the stairs were super effective. The whole rig worked perfectly throughout the event. We had zero maintenance issues the entire time we were in the arena—we didn’t have to swap units. It was a very successful experience.”
Innovations & Storytelling to be Centre Stage at The Media Production & Technology Show 2023
The Media Production & Technology Show (MPTS), the UK's largest event for the broadcast media, production and technology industry, has announced the first part of its acclaimed seminar line-up for 2023. With a special focus on disruptive and interactive technologies, from AI to Virtual Production, MPTS will examine the challenge facing the industry around recruitment and technical advancements but also the significant opportunities they present to media professionals / content creators everywhere.
Taking place on 10-11 May 2023 in the iconic Grand Hall at Olympia London, the show will host more than 300 speakers across 6 theatres, featuring keynote presentations, masterclasses, panel discussions and educational sessions.
Charlotte Wheeler, Event Director, said, “The quality and range of our speaker programme is exceptional and will bring a deeper understanding of the pressures and opportunities facing professional media content creators today. We are all aware of evolving technologies like Generative AI, real-time tools and Cloud, as well as the urgency to do more to reduce our carbon footprint and increase sustainable accountability whilst continuing to deliver wide-ranging content to audiences. MPTS is our chance to press pause, assess the impact and speed of change, and collectively make sure our industry is fighting fit for the future.”
The Keynote Theatre presents a host of industry leaders who will share their successes and visions for the future. Speakers include BAFTA winning screenwriter Danny Brocklehurst (Clocking Off, Shameless), Daniela Neumann, Managing Director at leading indie Spun Gold TV and former senior programming executive at ITV; James Burstall, CEO of Argonon - the makers of The Masked Singer; Jo Plaete, Chief Innovation Officer at Metaphysic, the company behind the Tom Cruise deepfakes; and BK Johannessen, the Unreal Engine Business Director for Broadcast and Live Events at Epic Games, to name a few.
Taking part in the Virtual Production Theatre visitors can enjoy case studies and insights from DNEG, Dimension Studios, Lux Machina, disguise, University of York and MARS Academy Training. Following the standout success of this theatre in 2022, headline sponsor Pixotope returns and leading video technology company 80six will host an expanded area to showcase how innovative technologies and creativity are fuelling this growing sector.
The Post Production Theatre examines the evolution of this vital sector, both creatively and technologically, with examples of recent work, product masterclasses and the latest post-production workflows. Visitors will have access to tailor-made training sessions from Avid, Filmlight and IPV across both days and will hear from some of the UK senior leaders managing post production in the UK, including Helen Alexander, MD, Formosa Group (UK); Cara Sheppard in her new role as President of Picture Shop; and some of the creative team behind the Oscar winning Best Animated Short Film, The Boy, The Fox, The Mole and the Horse will also take the stage.
The Audio Theatre is a perennial favourite and offers case studies, how-to sessions and product workshops featuring the latest equipment and techniques for projects from documentaries to live events and feature films. Speakers include Emmy and RTS award winning composer Nainita Desai; Kate Davis, the BAFTA nominated Head of Sound at Directors Cut and Adam Mart, Founder of cloud first audio studio Airaphon.
The Production Theatre is always a big hit with visitors wanting to learn about the latest equipment and best practice for a variety of production genres. Back by popular demand, this year’s line-up features sessions around wildlife filmmaking, location filming and health and safety on set. Featured speakers include wildlife filmmaker Elise Gibbins; powerhouse doc filmmakers Tom Porter and Michael Ogden, giving the spotlight to some of our award winning industry young talent and for the first time a conversation around the importance of Stunt Performers from those that risk their lives for actors!
Wheeler added, “I want to recognise and commend our team at MPTS for their dedication in securing for us so many fabulous guests and to thank all of our speakers for their generosity, expertise and insight. This is our BIGGEST and most exciting programme yet, and we hope visitors enjoy all that it has to offer.”
Registration for MPTS 2023 is now open at https://mediaproductionshow2023-visitor.reg.buzz/press-release
Media Partnership: MONDO | STADIA & ALSD International 2023
MONDO | STADIA is, once again, delighted to be a media partner for ALSD International 2023, which is being hosted at Manchester City FC's Etihad Stadium on October 9th and 10th, with an opening night icebreaker set to be held at Emirates Old Trafford, the home of Lancashire Cricket, on October 8th.
Focused on optimising revenue through New Builds, Renovations and Service Expansions, ALSD International is the preeminent entity for the Premium Seat and Hospitality sector outside of North America, where ALSD has been leading the industry for the last 30+ years.
The high-level conference and exhibition focuses on core pillars of architecture & design, catering & concessions, fan experience, hospitality, fit-out & procurement, premium seating, sales & service, technology and sustainability, with venue tours highlighting these areas.
This year’s edition will be complimented by a Fan Experience breakout, being delivered by IIFX (Innovation Institute for Fan Experience), with a focus on Safety, Security & Operations, as well as the inaugural Tech Symposium, bringing visionaries and thought leaders together to share premium and technology innovations.
Confirmed speakers to date include: Nick Sautner, CEO, Eden Park Stadium, Matt Botten, Senior Director, Premium Seating, The O2/AEG, and Andy Price, Commercial Director, Ticketing & Arenas, NEC Group, all of whom will be sharing insights on the latest developments at their respective venues.
Cardiff International Arena/Live Nation, Etihad Arena (Abu Dhabi), Club Wembley/The FA, Channel 1 Media, Ipswich Town FC, National Ice Centre & Motorpoint Arena Nottingham and the AFL’s West Coast Eagles are just some of those having already confirmed their attendance.
Katie McIntyre, Executive Director, ALSD International, said: “As Britain's second city and the capital of the North, Manchester boasts a thriving football scene - home to the Premier League’s Manchester City and Manchester United - and iconic sports and entertainment venues, the AO Arena and Emirates Old Trafford. With the highly-anticipated Co-op Live set to open within the coming months, the city is the ideal location to host the industry’s leading event.”
ALSD International is more than just the most credible sports and entertainment business conference, having ushered in a year-round membership offering; working 365 days a year on members’ behalves, providing content and engagement with peers in sports and live entertainment in Premium, Design & Build and Technology.
McIntyre added: “We embrace each part of the ecosystem that works together to elevate the fan experience, bringing it all together in a platform where our members can share best practice and stay ahead of industry trends. As we like to say, “It’s All Connected”.”
ALSD International is organised and delivered by Sports Venue Business on behalf of the ALSD (Association of Luxury Suite Directors).
“I found the event really interesting and efficient; an excellent opportunity for discussion and sharing ideas.” - Mirko Cucchiarelli, AS Roma.
“I love ALSD. For us, it’s a competitive intelligence gathering process, we like to understand what other venues are doing. It offers compelling content and delivers lots of great conversations.” - Christian Lau, Los Angeles Football Club & BMO Stadium.
For further information, go to: https://alsdinternational.com
Supponor & Telstra Broadcast Services Bring Virtual Advertising to the Sports World
Supponor, the world’s leading technology provider in virtual advertising, and Telstra Broadcast Services (TBS), a leading provider of end-to-end broadcast and media related services, today announced a joint initiative to bring virtual advertising as-a-service to sports properties, federations and rights owners worldwide.
As a result of the recent successful launch of their league-wide solution for the National Hockey League (NHL), Supponor and TBS are expanding their collaboration to make virtual advertising services more accessible to other international sports leagues in APAC, EMEA and the Americas.
The collaboration enables rights owners and their partners to effectively target global audiences with new and innovative technologies, such as customized virtual signage powered by the Supponor AIR® technology. These technologies can now seamlessly integrate within the existing broadcast infrastructure required to reliably and resiliently produce and distribute live top tier sports events.
Supponor’s long term partnership with the NHL has seen its Digitally Enhanced Dasherboards (DED) system integrated into the live broadcast feed to enable the real-time replacement of camera-visible arena advertising boards and placement of dynamic on-ice assets. DED graphics can be displayed during games in a market-specific way, wherever and however the game feed is broadcast, resulting in high-impact and targeted branding and promotional messaging, not previously achievable.
Telstra, whic supports the delivery of NHL content through its Broadcast Operations Centers in Pittsburgh, Sydney and London, also provides the connectivity required to control and deliver this powerful advertising technology. The Telstra Global Media Network (GMN), which underpins the distribution of the League’s multiple feeds from every game to different markets.
Supponor CEO, James B. Gambrell, said, "The extension of our partnership with Telstra to bring virtual advertising to more rights owners, their partners and fans worldwide is just part of our continuing strategy of working with global partners. Together we hope to change the way properties and broadcasters interact with global brands in any sport where virtual advertising can form an integral part of the fabric of live sports production and distribution. Having already covered over 1,300 games for the NHL this season, and nearly 1,500 events in other sports from soccer to rugby, we have proven the quality, scalability and agility of our innovation. That, combined with the expertise of partners like Telstra, enables rights owners to potentially generate substantial incremental commercial returns and allows advertisers to connect with audiences in a new and meaningful way.”
TBS CEO, Andreas Eriksson, said, "We're thrilled to be partnering with Supponor to bring virtual advertising to a wider audience. The success we've seen with the NHL, its teams, partners and audiences demonstrates the potential of this technology, and we're excited to explore its possibilities in other sports around the world.”
Sunderland AFC Appoint APT SKIDATA as Access Control Partner
Sunderland AFC has appointed APT SKIDATA, the UK’s leading provider of advanced people access solutions, as its new partner for access control. The new five-year partnership agreement will see APT SKIDATA upgrade and install the latest access control technologies at the Stadium of Light which will be completed ahead of the 2023/24 season.
A key driver to upgrade with APT SKIDATA was the move to Near Field Communication (NFC) ticketing using SKIDATA’s Sweb eTicket service. This will allow matchday fans and event visitors fast and secure access to the stadium whilst also helping to reduce the club’s carbon footprint and contributing to SAFC’s sustainability goals.
The NFC eTicket solution will allow fans to buy match tickets on the club’s dedicated digital ticketing website. These NFC Passes are instantly delivered to Apple Wallet or Google Wallet which means fans simply have to tap their smartphone or smartwatch at the new Flex.Gate readers to gain stadium access via the turnstiles. The hospitality and VIP guest experience is also being upgraded with the deployment of the Door.Gate Pedestal reader offering maximum flexibility and contactless access.
Steve Davison, Chief Operating Officer at Sunderland AFC, says: “Following a comprehensive review of the Global Access Control market, we identified APT SKIDATA as the outstanding long-term partner when contemplating the future of sports and event ticketing. Their recent award-nominated deployment of NFC ticketing at Leeds United continued to showcase their innovation and reliability – and their best-in-class adaptable hardware will ensure SAFC remains at the forefront of fan experience and stadium access for many years to come.”
Steve Murphy, Managing Director at APT SKIDATA, adds: “We are thrilled to be working with Sunderland AFC as the club’s new Access Control Partner. SAFC’s Executive Team undertook a robust and thorough process that fully explored the future landscape of ticketing and access control.
“Adding the Stadium of Light to our ever-expanding portfolio is a privilege for our organisation and we are proud to be working with a club that puts the supporter experience at the heart of its operations. We are excited to be supporting the club in achieving their digital innovation and sustainability goals.”
SAFC will be working closely with APT SKIDATA in the off season to produce comprehensive fan communications around how to download and use NFC passes for entry to the Stadium of Light for both general and hospitality access. The 2023-24 campaign season will see the change come into effect following the highly anticipated summer of music that will see global superstars Beyonce and P!NK perform live on Wearside.
Pro Media Audio Video Europe Rebrands as Clair Global Integration
In alignment with a wider global vision, large-scale integration technology specialist, Pro Media Audio Video Europe, part of the Clair Global Brand Group, has rebranded as Clair Global Integration (CGI), effective immediately.
A world-class technology integrator, Clair Global entered the European market in 2021, led by industry veteran Eddie Thomas.
Keeping the audience experience at the forefront of its expert delivery in audio systems, network design, AV, network management, and IT comms and infrastructure, CGI in Europe will continue to design and deliver exciting work across spaces that resonate and inspire, in-line with its US operation.
Over the past two years, Thomas and his team have helped to deliver major projects for music venues in London including work at the O2 Arena and HERE, the capital’s new flagship live events venue, which is situated within the immersive entertainment district, Outernet.
In the professional sports industry, the company has upgraded Burnley’s Turf Moor Stadium, and most recently, completed a highly impressive national stadium installation.
CGI’s European Director, Eddie Thomas, comments: “Aligning our European efforts with the Clair Global Integration name will help us to achieve one cohesive vision for our upcoming and technically ambitious activities across multiple markets.”
The profoundly experienced European team, which is based in Twickenham, London, is completed by Associate Director Tom Williams, Project Development Lead Andy Rigler and Project Delivery Managers, Jake Miller and Steve Watson.
Dejero Provides Unbreakable Connectivity at Rugby European Championship 2023
Dejero Smart Blending Technology is being relied upon for the international broadcasting of The Rugby European Championship 2023 by its channel partner and international production company, Quality, to produce, deliver and distribute high-value content to the event’s 11 rights holders.
With Belgium, Germany, Netherlands, Poland, Romania and Spain now out of the running now for the Champion’s spot, the Final is scheduled for 19 March, 2023 between defending Champions Georgia and remaining Portugal at Estadio Nuevo Vivero, Badajoz, Spain. Quality will also be covering the second and third, and sixth and seventh place finals in Bandajoz, as well as fourth and fifth place finals at NRCA Stadium in Amsterdam, which also take place on 19 March.
Quality has carried six Dejero EnGo video mobile transmitters across eight European cities to each stadium throughout the tournament. The EnGos, which have glass-to-glass latency of 0.5 seconds, transmit live feeds from six cameras at each match.
Two Dejero WayPoint receivers are located at Quality’s production hub in Madrid where final production including graphics and commentary take place. The WayPoint devices reconstruct and decode the video feeds which are entered into a matrix to be shared with the switcher and replay systems .The packaged video is then uplinked to Quality’s satellite provider via another Dejero EnGo from where the rights holders downlink the final content to air.
“The Dejero EnGos remove any vulnerability to network disruptions and outages that may occur on fiber, cable and DSL services by adding resilient wireless connectivity to the stadiums’ fixed-line broadband," explains Santiago José Salgado, Executive Sports Producer, Quality.
The EnGo uses Dejero’s Smart Blending Technology, which aggregates multiple network technologies, including cellular and fiber, from multiple network providers to create a virtual ‘network of networks’ that delivers enhanced reliability. For The Rugby European Championships six local SIM cards from diverse cellular network carriers were fitted into each EnGo, which feature global modems. This provides Quality with extra confidence in the transmission path to get live feeds back to its broadcast hub in Madrid for final production and distribution.
The packaged content is then uplinked via satellite for distribution to the rights holders and inserted into the ingest system for logging and clipping.
“Just two years ago, at the last Rugby European Championships, we used Outside Broadcast (OB) vans to cover key matches, which meant sending a full production crew on site and relying on satellite connectivity,” explains Salgado. “Since then, we have developed a lean remote production model which means only the camera operators, a single producer and a single technician are required at the stadiums. Dejero solutions have played a key role in the success of this remote model.”
“The new workflow with Dejero EnGo backpacks, not only rewards us with significant cost savings, but also greater flexibility to meet the growing broadcasting demands of different productions.”
Quality also uses the Dejero Control cloud-based management system to view device performance. It gives the operations team the flexibility to centrally manage their Dejero equipment on the field from any web browser, enabling them to view their workflow data, preview low-latency feeds, and route live or recorded content to playout and online delivery workflows.
PPDS Named Digital Display Supplier for Oracle Red Bull Racing
PPDS, the exclusive global provider of Philips professional displays, is proud to announce it has become the exclusive ‘Digital Display Supplier’ and official ‘Innovation Partner’ of the team behind the reigning Formula One™ World Champions, Oracle Red Bull Racing.
Evolving and expanding its existing and highly successful partnership, PPDS will exclusively supply a series of advanced displays – including custom-built solutions designed exclusively for the Oracle Red Bull Racing hospitality team used at all Grand Prix weekends within the 2023 and 2024 Formula One World Championship season.
Commenting on the new partnership, Christian Horner, Team Principal at Oracle Red Bull Racing and Red Bull Technology, said: “We always look for our partners’ cultures to have synergies with our own. The emphasis on teamwork, partnership and innovation, and the entrepreneurial and agile ways of working at PPDS made them the ideal partner for us.”
LED-ing from the front in hospitality
Fuelled by collaboration, and a shared desire to lead from the front, this exciting partnership – which also sees PPDS provide Philips professional displays to Oracle Red Bull Racing for its state of the art Technology Campus in Milton Keynes, UK – follows the successful deployment of a series of advanced Philips professional displays, used to transform the VIP hospitality experience for guests in the Oracle Red Bull Racing Paddock Club™ during F1 race weekends.
Located above the team garages and pit lanes and overlooking the start/finish straight, the luxurious Oracle Red Bull Racing Paddock Club™ prides itself on providing unrivalled, beyond-the-grandstand, VIP hospitality experiences, bringing F1™ fans closer than ever to the action as it unfolds, with access to an ever-evolving stream of live and pre-recorded content.
For the 2022 FIA World Championship Season, with a record-breaking 23 race schedule, spread over 20 countries, Oracle Red Bull Racing turned to PPDS to jump start a new and enhanced era of immersive experiences within their Paddock Club, replacing and upgrading an existing, more challenging multi-display line up, and to reduce the challenging lengthy installation process.
Understanding the incredible pressure that time constraints presented to the Oracle Red Bull Racing hospitality team during race weekends, PPDS collaborated with the team to design and build three custom, ‘larger than life’ 10m2 portable 4K UHD dvLED showcases.
Measuring 4.85m wide and 2.05m high, the spectacular 48 cabinet, 1.5 pixel, 8 x 6 Philips L-Line 9000 Series dvLED wall provided a commanding and engaging centrepiece to the Oracle Red Bull Racing Paddock Club, delivering the precise colour calibration and perfect resolution required to represent the team’s winning brand, while capable of showing multiple feeds at any one time, to present the full, immersive experience for their guests.
Speedy installation
Going the extra mile, the LED walls feature a one-of-a-kind custom design, with the entire solution – manufactured in partnership with AMPCO Flashlight – built into two durable flight cases, allowing for ‘pop-up’ and ‘pop-down’ installation and de-installation, while ensuring safe transportation between races. Time concerns and pressures around set-up times have been dramatically reduced, with the displays pivoting out and joining seamlessly together, while being able to be installed within a couple of hours rather than days.
The Paddock Club experience is augmented with a further 17 other Philips professional displays – including 4x Philips MediaSuite professional TVs, 7x Philips AOC gaming monitors and x6 Philips 222B9T touch monitors – delivering near 360 visual experiences, with live race coverage, access to exclusive behind the scenes content, links to the Oracle Red Bull Racing pit lane, and audio feeds from the drivers and crew, as well as simulator experiences, among just some of the offerings.
All solutions will once again feature in the Oracle Red Bull Racing Paddock Club for all race weekends during the 2023 Formula One World Championship season, including at the inaugural Las Vegas Grand Prix.
Tim de Ruiter, Business Development Director at PPDS, added: “Oracle Red Bull Racing is a team driven by ambitions that mirror our own, optimising results through teamwork, creativity and a firm understanding of the road ahead. We are delighted to have not only renewed our partnership but expanded it, supporting its teams from trackside to the Technology Campus, as we work together to develop tailored solutions for the future.”
Martijn van der Woude, VP Global Business Development and Marketing, concluded: This is a relationship that is driven by partnership, with a shared desire to lead from the front and to achieve the seemingly impossible. Oracle Red Bull Racing doesn’t settle for second best, and neither do we. We couldn’t be prouder as a team and on behalf of everyone at PPDS, I wish Oracle Red Bull Racing every success for what we all hope will be another glorious Formula One World Championship season.”
VME Increases MLA Inventory to over 100 for Arena Boxing Events
For nearly a decade, Martin Audio partner, Manchester-based VME, has been providing PA for major boxing events in the nation’s arenas, on an accelerating basis.
Starting out with an inventory of 48 MLA multicellular loudspeaker array enclosures, such has been the demand from this sector that the rental fleet has now more than doubled, and this month the rental company announced that it has increased its inventory of MLA family products to over 100. This makes VME one of the largest MLA rental stagers in the UK.
Explaining the underlying reason, Operations Manager Aaron Harvey-Holt says that this is in recognition of the fact that his company is now servicing over 40 events a year for TV transmission through Sky Sports, BT Sports and DAZN—all in major UK venues such as Wembley Stadium, Wembley OVO Arena, The O2 Arena, Cardiff International Arena and Manchester AO Arena.
Events include the IBF World Heavyweight Championships—and bouts ranging from David Haye to Tyson Fury—to the more recent high-profile Misfits ‘crossover’ series which saw YouTube star KSI going head-to-head with FaZe Temper at OVO Arena, Wembley.
Rigging a system in the round is quite unlike reinforcing a conventional pros arch rock concert. For example, the PA fly position is normally set within a 7 sq.m grid immediately above the ring and configuration can vary from hangs facing out on all four axes to distributed hangs and delays to ensure crowds of up to 20,000 have full intelligibility of all action—from the walk-in music to the National Anthem, DJ interval music and MC announcements.
The Misfits event, with all the razzmatazz associated with it, was no exception.
Aaron Harvey-Holt is clear as to why MLA has become their go-to system. “It’s for the ease of rigging,” he says. “MLA is great for the tight time scale we often have to deliver in as sometimes we don’t have rig days.” Further to this, the flexibility it affords is vital when they are having to work around TV company constraints. Having venue parameters in their library is no guarantee that they won’t have to take new measurements each time and create a different profile.
“This is precisely why we recently purchased another 24 MLA Compact and 20 MLA,” explains the VME Ops Manager. For the KSI fight alone they fielded 70 MLA boxes and 24 MLA Compact. “We rigged nine hangs of MLA / MLA Compact in total … 25 boxes a side at the stage end for mains, subs and sidefills—with five MLX a side in cardioid flown, behind the two main hangs—and three hangs further down the arena for delays at the left, centre and right positions.”
The flexibility of the system has also proved a hit with VME’s Project Manager Mikey Greenwood and System Designer Gareth Thomas—the latter working alongside Ben Marsh who is also de facto system tech. He ensures that MLA’s advanced optimisation will enable sound to be steered precisely where it’s needed — designing the horizontal projection in CAD, mapping to where the TV interviews take place, and implementing the ’Hard Avoid’ setting on any reflective VIP boxes. This also takes into account the sensitivity of the broadcast mics when it becomes essential to deaden the sound around the ring.
“With complex events such as this, having that level of control with MLA is vital,” summarises Aaron Harvey-Holt.” It provides massive benefits all round.” Plus, of course, when not on duty at their own events, there will be plenty of scope for cross-hiring MLA, such is the demand during the busy summer season.
NC State Bringing New Video Experience in a Big Way from Daktronics
For the 2023 season, North Carolina State University (NC State) has turned to Daktronics to manufacture and install one of the largest video displays in the Atlantic Coast Conference and Top 10 in college football for Wayne Day Family Field at Carter-Finley Stadium in Raleigh, North Carolina. The HDR-capable display will be more than 7,100 square feet, feature more than 6.6 million pixels and will be installed this coming spring.
"The massive size and clarity of the new North Board will provide an amazing viewing experience for our fans as well as valuable exposure for our partners," said Justin Stoll, associate AD and senior coordinating producer for NC State. "We will have the ability to show all who come to Carter-Finley Stadium team individual stats, out-of-town scores and other important data to rival the at-home experience and create engagement within our venue. We are also marrying all of our surfaces together to create unparalleled control of all displays within Carter-Finley. Coupled with the light show that was revealed last season, we will have one of the best game-day atmospheres in the country."
In the north end zone, the new video display will measure approximately 43 feet high by 166 feet wide to capture fans’ attention and deliver an improved game-day experience. It will feature 10-millimeter pixel spacing and incorporate industry-leading environmental protection ensuring it will operate in the Raleigh outdoors.
“This display is going to be significantly larger than the previous display and will require extensive coordination and engineering to make this project become a reality,” said Corey Williams, Daktronics sales representative. “We’re extremely proud to partner with NC State and their amazing team of people and look forward to being a part of this landmark installation on campus.”
Capable of variable content zoning, the display can show one large image or multiple zones of content. This includes all of the content that fans crave from a live sporting event, including live video, instant replays, up-to-the-minute statistics and game information, graphics and animations, and sponsorship messages.
The new main display will join the previously installed South End Zone auxiliary video displays and field level ribbon displays, all products from Daktronics.
In addition to the video display, NC State will also receive a digital content package that will be produced and delivered by Daktronics Creative Services.