XL Video Show Pink Is Very Much Alive On Her World Tour

XL Video UK is supplying Pink’s 'I’m Still Alive' tour with video equipment including screens, Barco Mi-Pix modules, a specially modified Catalyst digital media server and full and PPU camera system – plus crew.
The provocatively visual, adrenalised, energy-pumping show is currently taking the UK and Europe by storm, with video an integral element of the production design created by Baz Halpin and Mark Fisher, which is also linked closely to the lighting.
The live performance is every inch a contemporary mixed media fusion of technology and human emotion, ending with Pink treating fans to a stunning high level aerial display of silk acrobatics.
Video is divided into a two components - playback and IMAG. The playback sources are all run from a customised Catalyst digital media server triggered by a WholeHog II and the 3-camera IMAG is run through one of XL’s standard PPU systems, with the fast-cut live mix directed by Larne Poland.
The account is being handled for XL by Phil Mercer, who commented: “Working together, Baz and Larne have produced a very dynamic and visual show, using what’s considered ‘a very standard touring video package’. It’s great to work with a young designer and director clearly at the top of the their game.”
Fisher’s initial set design ideas revealed a timelessly classic staircase, giving the whole stage an epic feel, to which Halpin started adding the Mi-Pix surface – 48 square feet of which is inbuilt into the set. This is configured in a panoramic format, 14 panels wide by 2 high.
Up above, Halpin wanted a screen surface that could be both horizontal and vertical to enhance the sense of depth within the performance area, and so he designed three 4 by 3 metre pods of the transparent Komaden Image Mesh into the masterplan - supplied by Le Grandi Immagini. Each pod is suspended on motors and travels between the two positions throughout the show.
Pink had many specific ideas for video content at certain points, specially for songs like the hard-hitting, politically-charged 'Dear Mr President', and Halpin worked closely with Sam Pattinson and Anthony Willis from OneDotZero to create all the Catalyst footage. This also includes a wide variety of effects from literal images to breezy, colourful kaleidoscopic graphics sequences
XL was instrumental in getting the special Catalyst system set up for the tour and supplied Simon Pugsley to configure the system, which enables three separate live camera sources from Poland’s PPU to be routed to any of the three Image Mesh pods anytime throughout the show.
XL’s cameras - Sony D50s – are positioned at FOH with two hand-held in the pit which also sometimes go onstage.
Larne Poland is cutting the mix using a GV1200 mixer/switcher and a Magic DVE for effects like black and white and black/white/pink – he very much follows the style and pace of the show with his mix.
Baz Halpin added: “As always it’s great working with XL – the pre-production period was very intense and their support has been excellent in every way."
(DS/SP)