ELP crew unwrap latest 'toys' at outdoor cinema events

ELP have just invested in a wide range of cutting edge lighting, power, rigging and staging equipment ideal of the outdoor events market.

The first client to benefit from the state of the art gear was production company Blitz Communications who were co-ordinating a series of outdoor cinema events across Scotland, England and Wales during August and September.

This marketing and customer relationship campaign (devised by M&C Saatchi) saw the bank's customers invited to a series of exclusive preview screenings of the summer's biggest movies. The films were shown in spectacular outdoor locations including Marble Hill House in Richmond, Heaton Park in Manchester, Coopers Field in Cardiff and Hopetoun House in Edinburgh.

A highly experienced eight-man ELP crew, led by project manager Barry Denison, set up each location which incorporated the largest outdoor movie screen in Europe. The inflatable screen made by Air Screen measured 18m x 9m and was the towering centre piece at each location site.

At each side of the giant screen the crew positioned two 10 metre Thomas PA tower systems. Another new addition to the ELP equipment portfolio, these innovative towers provide the necessary support in venues where the flying points are either not strong enough, or in the right place. Each tower is capable of lifting one tonne to a maximum height of around 33 feet by means of electric chain hoists. Again, an ideal solution for these outdoor cinema events.

Each tower was decorated with 6 x Thomas pixel pars, a set of Thomas '8-Lights' and a set of Thomas '4-Lites'. This mix of LED and tungsten lighting provided a blend of modern and retro effects.

Lighting was controlled via ELPs brand new Avolites Pearl Expert desk (the latest incarnation of the lighting industry's most popular console). The desk was on its first outing at this show and provided wireless DMX control across the whole site. ELP used their own WDMX wireless system having recently increased their wireless stocks as the systems are becoming more stable and reliable.

The Pearl desk worked in conjunction with 4 brand new Avolites Power Cubes which ELP have just taken delivery of. These units provide a complete dimming, mains and data distribution solution in one compact box. And what's more, they guarantee studio quiet dimming at 100% duty cycle making them ideal for this 'cinema' environment where the audience was seated very close by.

Additionally, ELP provided power across all the sites for sound, security and production offices via their uniquely compact and portable 110 KW LitePower generators. They were also responsible for building and lighting 2 x 10m x 6m entrance gantries and 2 x 6m x 4m emergency exits.

"The client was delighted with all the new gear we had on site and our highly experienced team" said Project Manager Barry Denison. "I think it was because we really went the extra mile for them by providing on-site solutions and solving any technical problems that came up".

For example, Barry designed and had custom built mobile, green camouflaged ballast containers which each held around 2000 kilos. They were required to secure the giant inflatable screen but because of the configuration the ballast had to be placed in front of the audience. "This had the potential of making front of house look ugly and untidy" said Barry. "So the client was really appreciative of the extra effort we put into disguising the ballast"

At each venue Barry provided extra touches like lighting surrounding trees and parkland to make the most of the gardens during darkness.

"These little touches go a long way" concludes Barry.

Crew Credits:

Barry Denison – Project Manager
James Coldicott – Rigger
Tim Shotter – Tech
Justin Denchfield – Spark
Greg Fitzgerald – Spark
Alan Dolan – Spark
Paul Helm – Generators
Shane Aldred – Rigger