We visit the Tropics

We supplied full technical production – including video design, equipment and crew – to show producers Pandora Events for a large “Glambassador” motivational event including numerous presentations and awards, followed by a gala dinner for Tropic Skincare in Hall 12 at the NEC.

Our project manager Mike Radford working with Lee Gruszeckyj and Karl Johnstone composed a slick, stylish stage and screen design based on the client’s brief, which utilised over 200 panels of the new ROE CB5 indoor / outdoor LED screen product.

Above the start of the thrust emanating from the front of the stage was a 9-metre diameter circular screen, which brought additional depth, drama and three dimensionality to the space.

All the screens were flown as part of CPL’s full technical package which also involved rigging, lighting and audio.

CPL supplied one of their disguise 4×4 media servers which was programmed with playback content supplied by the client. A Barco E2 Event Master processor was used for system processing and screen management.

The camera package comprised three Sony HXC-100 cameras, one positioned at FOH with two further down the room; two of which were operated and the third locked-off.

Two 20 ft. by 11 ft delay screens on the back wall – the opposite end of the room to the stage – were fed with Panasonic 20K projectors rigged in some of the lighting trusses.

CPL’s camera director for the event was Karl Johnstone, Lee Moore was the E2 operator, and George Oakey co-ordinated and ran all the PowerPoint presentations which included keynote speeches from business magnet Lord Alan Sugar and Tropic founder Susie Ma, who started the company in 2004 aged 15.

The challenge was in getting a substantial amount of equipment in, rigged and ready on time for the one-day event which the CPL team took in their stride. Organising the 40 crew – covering all departments plus locals – on the in and the out – and the 22show crew, ensuring they worked smartly and efficiently was also quite a brain-teaser!

The new ROE screen helped the speed of the onsite build which was extremely fast for all the video elements due to using the ROE carbon fibre Air Frames – also new – and part of a recent £2 million investment in new video kit.

The frames provide a convenient super lightweight all-in-one hanging, stacking and transportation solution designed for maximum efficiency in all production scenarios.

Tropic, which designs, manufactures, markets, and distributes its products – including skin, body, hair and sun care, tanning serums and products designed for men – as a major contributor to the UK’s multi-billion-pound skincare market.

Mike comments, “It was a fantastic job on which to work. We enjoyed a great rapport with the team from Pandora Events, and the client was really committed to having good production values and presenting a spectacular looking and memorable experience!”