CPL Delivers Glammies

Seat-edge excitement was palpably present in the room at Birmingham’s Resorts World Arena for the first Tropic Skincare in-person “Glammies” event to be staged since the pandemic. Attended by 4,200 top Tropic ‘Glambassadors’ product launches were combined with aspirational and motivational speeches, recognition segments and an evening gala Awards, plus full entertainment including live music from the 20-piece Symphonic Ibiza orchestra.

Central Presentations Ltd (CPL) supplied a full production package – lighting, audio, video, screens, rigging and staging- working for producers, Pandora Events. Two days of build and two days of rehearsals preceded the one-day event, with CPLs team of around 40 – at peak times – led by Lee Gruszeckyj.

CPL created the production design from initial sketches to full supply and delivery. Being the first Glammies post Covid it was all about creating a big spectacle with lots of vibrance and energy in the room, complete with pyro and SFX. Additionally, the event had an oceanic / nautical theme related to the importance of keeping toxic waste products out of the seas.

The LED screen design set an epic tone, with two large portrait orientated slabs of Roe 5mm CB5 each measuring 7.2 by 9.6 metres upstage, and six different sized flown video cubes measuring 3.6, 2.4 and 1.8 metres respectively strategically positioned and flown. In total there were over 120 points of rigging on the project.

All screens were driven by Brompton SX 40 processors over fibre with full redundancy.

The stage featured a 12 metre long 5 ft high runway emanating at the front, ramped on the audience end enabling award winners to access the stage.

Behind and between the two main screens was a printed mesh Airtex event banner which was backlit with Robe Pointe moving lights for extra impact and to add depth. This was also part of a central walkway onto / off stage, which could help funnel the award winners – sometimes as many as a couple of hundred people simultaneously – into the correct positions onstage to get the optimal wide IMAG camera shots from cameras at the back.

Bespoke video content was commissioned by CPL and created by Matt Taylor from Method in Motion, and programmed onto two disguise VX4 servers, and the screen management was controlled via two Barco E2 processors.

As well as a special evening show opener production number, all of the daytime product launch sessions were interspersed with lively specially choreographed music and dance pieces. Bespoke video content was also created for these and synchronised to the live action, a slick, polished look that was also a highly effective break mechanism to kept people alert and attentive!

The 5 camera IMAG package included two Sony HXC units at the back of the room fitted with DJSuper 95 lenses, a 24ft jib, a dolly mounted camera covering the front-of-stage area and a roving wireless Sony FX9. These camera sources were mixed using a Kayak PPU.

The main reason for spec’ing the wireless hand-held for this event was to capture close-up shots during the product launches, relayed to the live screens – and for the 2000 plus audience joining via streamed video link, comprising a standard stream and a BSL one, with signers green screened backstage and keyed in live over the top of the main screens.

These close-up shots gave all gusts a real sense of being right there in the room up close with the presenters.

The product launch activities were lit quite theatrically with lots of moody blues, aquas and other oceanic hues with overlaid gobo effects.

CPL designed a dynamic and immersive lighting experience, with a combination of Ayrton Perseo, Diablo, SGM Beast, Robe 150 Beams, and Robe Spyder fixtures would make for an impressive lighting design. The Ayrton Perseo and Diablo fixtures offer a wide range of colours, gobos, and effects, while the SGM Beast adds a powerful wash and beam options. The Robe 150 Beams and Spyder fixtures provide sharp and precise beams and advanced movement options.

This lighting design would allow for a diverse range of looks, from expansive washes to sharp beam effects, all with stunning color and movement. With these fixtures working together, the lighting enhanced and elevated the overall atmosphere of the event, leaving an unforgettable experience for attendees.

A large and brand-new L-Acoustics K2 sound system was supplied by Urban Audio with 12-a-side left and right main hangs complete with 12 x KS 8 Subs arrayed around the front of the stage, and 48 x KARAS as delays and side hangs. L-Acoustics X8 monitors were deployed for front fills and the consoles were a DiGiCo 338 at FOH and a Yamaha CL5 for monitors.

The room was acoustic modelled in Sound Vision and the audio rig designed around the results to give the best and most effective and efficient coverage of high-quality audio around the room for the best guest experience.

A selection of Shure Axient mics and DPA headset mics were available for presenters and speakers plus a full floor package of mics for Symphonic Ibiza

Shed loads of pyro made it great fun feeding into the “Back with a Bang” narrative for the show opener, a special version of Bastille’s “Pompeii” which set a festive and joyous tone Sparkulas, CO2 jets, smoke, G-flames and more, all supplied by Reach Lasers.