Broadcast News
28/09/2006
XL Video make sure McFly to take centre stage on tour
XL Video is supplying video playback, camera systems and crew for the current hi-energy McFly arena tour.
XL has worked on previous McFly tours and the account is handled for them by Phil Mercer, who commented: "We had a very specific brief in terms of the design and configuration of the ‘upstage video element’. With an extensive inventory of the latest LED technology, XL made this a tourable reality."
Peter Barnes was brought in by Production North as artistic director. He’s created an innovative video design based around a large onstage screen amalgamating Barco S-Lite 10XP high resolution LED screen panels and Barco O-Lite low res modules, arranged in a jagged edged chequerboard effect.
This is primarily used for playback video sources stored on two Catalyst v 3.2 systems supplied by XL and triggered via the WholeHog II lighting desk being run by lighting director Graham Feast. One Catalyst feeds the O-Lite and the other the S-Lite.
XL is also supplying two 16 x 12 side screens, fed by front projected Barco SLM R12+s, rigged onto T shaped trusses, which are used for the 3 camera IMAG mix directed by Dan Ormerod. Towards the end of the show, this also spills over onto the main screen, where the contrast between that and catalyst ensures it has maximum effect.
Ormerod – his first McFly tour as director - is using one of XL’s GV Kayak DD mixer switcher units, and a Magic DVE for digital effects. Additional video-link playback material is stored on a Doremi hard drive and a Betacam SX machine.
The camera system consists of three Sony DF50 cameras – one with 55 mm lens positioned front-of-house, and two with standard lenses on track and dolly in the pit. One of the pit cameras is also moved and used as a hand-held onstage at specific moments. There’s also a Sony PD150 DV cam trained on the drum kit. It’s a hard driving rock ‘n’ roll show, and Ormerod’s live mix montage juxtaposes classic rock ‘n’ roll camera looks and shots with plenty of his own individual style.
Barnes had the idea of utilising the two video surfaces and to get away from the conventional upstage ‘TV block’ of video look.
He produced all the Catalyst footage himself, bringing an animator onboard for specific elements, including a lengthy sequence of sea-based graphics for the uplifting surf section of the set that kicks in early on. Flipping dolphins, undulating octopi, breaking waves, swirling fish and other aqua-orientated graphics are reproduced in the style of surf artist Drew Brophy.
To make the two different screen surfaces together coherently, Barnes created a latticed mask that is applied in the Catalyst, and scales the graphics to the available pixels, making the low res look linear across the screen, and enabling both high and low resolution surfaces to work simultaneously.
The combination of well thought out playback and fast-cutting IMAG video gives depth, imagination and visual humour to the show, as well as adding to the general excitement of McFly’s entertaining, full-on rock-out sets each night.
(DS/SP)
XL has worked on previous McFly tours and the account is handled for them by Phil Mercer, who commented: "We had a very specific brief in terms of the design and configuration of the ‘upstage video element’. With an extensive inventory of the latest LED technology, XL made this a tourable reality."
Peter Barnes was brought in by Production North as artistic director. He’s created an innovative video design based around a large onstage screen amalgamating Barco S-Lite 10XP high resolution LED screen panels and Barco O-Lite low res modules, arranged in a jagged edged chequerboard effect.
This is primarily used for playback video sources stored on two Catalyst v 3.2 systems supplied by XL and triggered via the WholeHog II lighting desk being run by lighting director Graham Feast. One Catalyst feeds the O-Lite and the other the S-Lite.
XL is also supplying two 16 x 12 side screens, fed by front projected Barco SLM R12+s, rigged onto T shaped trusses, which are used for the 3 camera IMAG mix directed by Dan Ormerod. Towards the end of the show, this also spills over onto the main screen, where the contrast between that and catalyst ensures it has maximum effect.
Ormerod – his first McFly tour as director - is using one of XL’s GV Kayak DD mixer switcher units, and a Magic DVE for digital effects. Additional video-link playback material is stored on a Doremi hard drive and a Betacam SX machine.
The camera system consists of three Sony DF50 cameras – one with 55 mm lens positioned front-of-house, and two with standard lenses on track and dolly in the pit. One of the pit cameras is also moved and used as a hand-held onstage at specific moments. There’s also a Sony PD150 DV cam trained on the drum kit. It’s a hard driving rock ‘n’ roll show, and Ormerod’s live mix montage juxtaposes classic rock ‘n’ roll camera looks and shots with plenty of his own individual style.
Barnes had the idea of utilising the two video surfaces and to get away from the conventional upstage ‘TV block’ of video look.
He produced all the Catalyst footage himself, bringing an animator onboard for specific elements, including a lengthy sequence of sea-based graphics for the uplifting surf section of the set that kicks in early on. Flipping dolphins, undulating octopi, breaking waves, swirling fish and other aqua-orientated graphics are reproduced in the style of surf artist Drew Brophy.
To make the two different screen surfaces together coherently, Barnes created a latticed mask that is applied in the Catalyst, and scales the graphics to the available pixels, making the low res look linear across the screen, and enabling both high and low resolution surfaces to work simultaneously.
The combination of well thought out playback and fast-cutting IMAG video gives depth, imagination and visual humour to the show, as well as adding to the general excitement of McFly’s entertaining, full-on rock-out sets each night.
(DS/SP)
Top Related Stories
Click here for the latest broadcast news stories.
21/05/2014
XL Video Provides Full Video Production For 'Reflektor' World Tour
XL Video is again providing full video production – including projection, LED screens, media server control and full camera / PPU package – to the cri
XL Video Provides Full Video Production For 'Reflektor' World Tour
XL Video is again providing full video production – including projection, LED screens, media server control and full camera / PPU package – to the cri
01/02/2008
Camera Corps Debuts CCU-5 Camera Control Unit At Broadcast Live & Video Forum
Camera Corps (exhibiting on the Polecam stand (C62)) is showing its new CCU-5 camera control unit which allows easy remote operation of many makes and
Camera Corps Debuts CCU-5 Camera Control Unit At Broadcast Live & Video Forum
Camera Corps (exhibiting on the Polecam stand (C62)) is showing its new CCU-5 camera control unit which allows easy remote operation of many makes and
08/09/2003
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 engine
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 engine
08/07/2014
XL Video Supplies Creative Video Projection At Glastonbury
XL Video supplied creative video projection and control to the Shangri La area at the 2014 Glastonbury Festival of Contemporary Performing Arts. XL's
XL Video Supplies Creative Video Projection At Glastonbury
XL Video supplied creative video projection and control to the Shangri La area at the 2014 Glastonbury Festival of Contemporary Performing Arts. XL's
16/10/2017
Sachtler Adds To ACE XL Range
Sachtler has introduced two new aluminium tripod systems to its ACE XL range; the ACE XL GS AL and ACE XL MS AL, which both come equipped with the new
Sachtler Adds To ACE XL Range
Sachtler has introduced two new aluminium tripod systems to its ACE XL range; the ACE XL GS AL and ACE XL MS AL, which both come equipped with the new
28/01/2015
XL Video Supplies Widescreen Projection On The War Of The Worlds Tour
XL Video supplied 100ft widescreen projection and an IMAG camera system for the final 3 week arena tour of Jeff Wayne's Musical Version of The War of
XL Video Supplies Widescreen Projection On The War Of The Worlds Tour
XL Video supplied 100ft widescreen projection and an IMAG camera system for the final 3 week arena tour of Jeff Wayne's Musical Version of The War of
26/01/2015
Ben Howard Takes XL Video Mini-Cam Packages On Tour
XL Video has supplied one of its new mini-cam packages and LED screens for the latest UK and European tour by singer/songwriter Ben Howard, working wi
Ben Howard Takes XL Video Mini-Cam Packages On Tour
XL Video has supplied one of its new mini-cam packages and LED screens for the latest UK and European tour by singer/songwriter Ben Howard, working wi
20/01/2015
XL Video Goes On Tour With Bombay Bicycle Club
The very last music show to be staged at London's famous Earls Court concert and exhibition venue, which is being demolished, saw indie rockers Bombay
XL Video Goes On Tour With Bombay Bicycle Club
The very last music show to be staged at London's famous Earls Court concert and exhibition venue, which is being demolished, saw indie rockers Bombay
23/02/2010
Massive Tour Success For XL Video
A leading rental supplier of video display systems is continuing its long term touring relationship with UK experimental music production phenomenon a
Massive Tour Success For XL Video
A leading rental supplier of video display systems is continuing its long term touring relationship with UK experimental music production phenomenon a
27/11/2009
XL Video Supplies Cliff And Shadows Tour
A PixLED screen, cameras, PPU and crew has been supplied by XL Video UK to the 2009 Cliff Richard & The Shadows UK and European tour. Video and lighti
XL Video Supplies Cliff And Shadows Tour
A PixLED screen, cameras, PPU and crew has been supplied by XL Video UK to the 2009 Cliff Richard & The Shadows UK and European tour. Video and lighti
07/01/2008
XL Video 'Portray' Kaiser Chiefs On Tour
The Kaiser Chiefs wanted something completely different video-wise for the latest arena leg of their tour, so set and lighting designer Richard Larkum
XL Video 'Portray' Kaiser Chiefs On Tour
The Kaiser Chiefs wanted something completely different video-wise for the latest arena leg of their tour, so set and lighting designer Richard Larkum
02/01/2007
XL Video Go On Tour With Snow Patrol
XL Video UK is supplying a digital PPU, camera system, two Catalyst digital media servers and crew for Snow Patrol's current UK arena tour. It is the
XL Video Go On Tour With Snow Patrol
XL Video UK is supplying a digital PPU, camera system, two Catalyst digital media servers and crew for Snow Patrol's current UK arena tour. It is the
12/12/2006
George Michael Puts Faith In XL Video On 25 Tour
XL Video is supplying full video production and crew to George Michael's critically acclaimed 25 Live tour. The show’s main video feature is made up f
George Michael Puts Faith In XL Video On 25 Tour
XL Video is supplying full video production and crew to George Michael's critically acclaimed 25 Live tour. The show’s main video feature is made up f
13/10/2006
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 dig
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 dig
18/01/2005
XL Video supply kit and expertise for REM tour
XL Video’s live music division kicked off what promises to be another very busy year supplying full video production to REM’s European tour – the firs
XL Video supply kit and expertise for REM tour
XL Video’s live music division kicked off what promises to be another very busy year supplying full video production to REM’s European tour – the firs