XL Video 'sex up' camera crew for ‘Men of The Year’ Awards

XL Video’s Malcolm Mellows rose to the occasion when asked to supply a crew comprising their tastiest looking, best turned out and most stylish engineers, cameramen and technicians for live video production at the 2003 “Men of The Year” Awards for GQ Magazine.
“Of course, I was absolutely spoilt for choice” he comments, adding that XL’s currently manic schedules did actually slightly narrow availability and therefore his choice of sexy specimens from the pool of regulars.
The event, sponsored by Giorgio Armani, was held in the equally gorgeous looking Floral Hall at the Royal Opera House. It was presented by Johnny Vaughan and attended by a host of celebrities and stars and accompanied by copious oozings of glamour and glitter befitting the occasion.
XL Video was working for Dick Straker of Mesmer Productions, who co-ordinated the video production for event producers Time-Based Events Ltd, led by Richard Dodgson.
Equipment supplied included a three-camera system with multiple playback from 4 Doremi hard drive machines, full PPU, ISO and TX recordings onto digital SX machines and various plasma screens. Two screens flanking the main stage were fed live IMAG images and pre-recorded footage via two pairs of doubled NEC T500 projectors. Images were also fed up to the overflow room on the balcony and viewed on a selection of smaller plasma screens.
Upstairs in the entrance and bar area, XL supplied a PowerPoint presentation set up and two 8 x 6 ft projection screens for the table plan, so it could always be kept right up to date with any last minute changes.
Live footage of the event was edited overnight in a Soho online suite, ready for broadcast on three breakfast TV channels the following morning.
Mesmer and XL Video have collaborated on many top level productions recently including acclaimed theatre shows “Hitchcock Blonde” (for Royal Court Productions) and “Jerry Springer The Opera” (Royal National Theatre).
(GB)