PROJECTS
Eurovision Song Contest
Client: BBC Studios
Location: M&S Bank Arena, Liverpool
Role: Technical Manager
Given the UK’s track record in the Eurovision Song Contest, this is likely to have been a once in a lifetime opportunity to work on the event and one we weren’t going to pass up, especially as it was working back with a number of the team from Birmingham Ceremonies including the GBA team.
As part of the technical team from the start of the build through to the very end of handing the venue back, we were technical management for the build, overnight rehearsals and planned and ran the derig.
The job involved a lot of suppliers, crew and equipment all squeezed into a tight space, with over 2000 lights, nearly 600 motors and kilometres of LED and it was only made possible by a great working environment with some of the industries best suppliers all working together for the same goal.
The contest was watched by 162 million people and is now the most familiar non-sporting global event, with only the Olympics and FIFA World Cup surpassing the brand.
Commonwealth Games Opening and Closing Ceremonies
Client: Birmingham Ceremonies Ltd (GBA)
Location: Alexander Stadium, Birmingham
Role: Capital Works Manager (Production Management)
We took on the role of Capital Works Manager in the Technical department for the opening and closing ceremonies of the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham 2022. Working over 8 months with 5 months on site, delivering two of the biggest shows of the moment with some of the best minds in the industry was a real privilege.
The Capital Works Manager role involved all of the infrastructure overlay required in the stadium complex that was specific to the ceremonies including overhead catenary lines, compounds, cable containment, platforms, control rooms, ramps, ground protection amongst other venue related items. It also saw us as the link between the ceremonies team, the organising committee’s Overlay team, their turnkey supplier, the venue and the venue construction team.
We were tasked with running the transition from the Opening Ceremony to Sport and the derig of ceremonies elements after the closing ceremony. Transition involved planning and co-ordinating the turnaround of the stadium from the set up of the opening ceremony to hand it back to the Organising Committee for them to operate the Commonwealth Games track and field events. All of which had to happen within a 62 hour period, which included having to returf the entire infield after all of the technical elements where removed.
It was a fantastic event to be involved in, with an amazing team of people working together to achieve an ambitious project in the physical space and the time available.
Piccadily Circus Circus
Client: Unusual Services
Location: Central London
Role: Production Management
This event saw Piccadilly Circus, Regent Street, Piccadilly, Lower Regent Street and Waterloo Place transformed into a pop up circus as part of the "London 2012 Surprises campaign".
There were stages across the entire area as it became pedestrianised for a one day only spectacular culminating in an incredible overhead show of "Place des Anges" by the Studio de Cirque.
Lumiere London
Client: Unusual Services
Location: Central London
Role: Production Management
The first time Lumiere was staged in London saw the transformation of areas around King's Cross, Regent Street, Picadilly Circus, through Leicester and Trafalgar Square's right down to Westiminster Abbey. A truly spectacular event closing roads and pedestrianising expanses of London people can rarely walk down without the drone of the traffic. We looked after Tilt at Leicester Square and covered Trafalgar Square down to Westminster Abbey.
IDEX Opening Ceremonies
Client: Protec
Location: Abu Dhabi
Role: Production Management
The International Defence Exhibition and Conference is a biennial event held at Abu Dhabi's National Exhibition Centre. We were asked to provide on site Production Services as part of a large team running the opening ceremonies. The event saw the car park of the exhibition centre turned into a temporary warzone complete with tank assault course, a temporary canal for tactical rib boats, a villiage scene, zip wires, tracking LED screens, stunt drivers and riders, pyrotechnics, flypasts, a tank revolve and a world record as 5 rage buggies travelled through a loop in quick succession.
Invictus Games Toronto - Driving Medal
Client: Optimum Projects
Location: Toronto
Role: Production & Site Management
We were thrilled to be asked to provide the Production Management for the Jaguar Land Rover Driving Medal of the 2017 Invictus Games in Toronto. Working with a mix of local and UK based suppliers and bringing in all the required infrastructure from toilets, offices, HVAC and power, to Jersey barrier, decking and structures. A sweltering month in a car park in Toronto with a very successful games and a Royal visit. The first open day was for the competitors from all the nations involved in the Invictus Games to compete for the driving medal and then the site was available for media, sponsors, invited guests and the public to experience the thrill of both the Jaguar smart cone experience and the Land Rover off road obstacle course.
