Newsletter from 10/11/2020
Live Nation: ‘We expect shows at scale next summer’
With next to no concerts taking place globally, Live Nation reported a 95.1% drop in revenue, from US$3.77 billion (in Q3 2019) to US$184 million, in the third quarter of 2020 (June–September), the second full financial quarter of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Speaking to investors and analysts on 5 November, LN CEO Michael Rapino said while there have “been no major changes in our business conditions or outlook since the last time we spoke”, he is encouraged by the small number of fans who have returned tickets for refunds, as well as strong festival onsales for next summer, including for EDC Las Vegas, which sold out 2021 in 24 hours.
“Meanwhile, we are working on a roadmap to get back to live safely,” he continued. “We are encouraged by progress on testing technology treatments and vaccines which will help us build our plans.”
And he continued “we expect shows at scale next summer”, although he concedes that the “exact timeline of this return will vary by region, and so we continue to focus on remaining flexible.”
Looking to the future, Rapino says it is clear that “the path to live will not be a straight line”. That’s why, he says, Live Nation “will maintain flexibility and focus on innovating” until the long-awaited return of live music.
“We are working on a roadmap to get back to live safely”
MOBILE PRODUCTION
CTV OB 12A IP works in combination with TSV 12 on diPloy
CTV Outside Broadcasts (CTV OB) has launched the latest addition to its fleet, OB12A, which hit the road recently at the Irish Open 2020 for European Tour Productions and is now following the UK Swing around Britain. The truck is fully IP from end to end using the diPloy, the platform developed by CTV OB’s parent company Euro Media Group (EMG) during its three-year OBjective2020 project. OB12A also has a little sister on the way, OB12B, which is also being fitted with diPloy and that will work alongside OB12A to create a powerhouse in the TV compound when it is launched later this year.
DB Video Unit 11
DB Video has specialised in multi-camera and audiovisual solutions for over 15 years. We offer you flexibility and reliable service at competitive prices, and respond professionally to your requests for audiovisual support. Our vans and fly-aways are equipped with the latest technology and our expertise and technical know-how in the video production market enable us to carry out even the most difficult projects. Our customer base includes production companies, television stations, event agencies, congress centres, large multinationals, news agencies and sports channels. No project is too small, too large or too complex for us!
One TV unit10
ONE-TV, born from decades of experience of a close-knit team of broadcast professionals. Led by Andrea Gianolli and supported by the know-how of Leonardo Girardi's Professional Show S.p.A. is a dynamic and efficient reality that has the experience and professionalism acquired in the broadcast production of major sporting, musical and TV events over the years, at national and international level. The expertise of its engineers, the availability of always up-to-date technology and its reliable commercial structure, make ONE-TV capable of covering every type of event and offer the guarantee of a very high level result for all production needs.
Game Creek Video Selects Riedel’s MediorNet FusioN IP Gateways for State-of-the-art Mobile Unit Fleet
All five of the new Game Creek mobile facilities are 53-foot expandable systems and represent a significant innovation in mobile production by deploying an entire remote IP facility into a single truck, therefore eliminating the need for a secondary B unit for onsite support. Bravo and Columbia, the first two Game Creek Video mobile facilities to feature the Riedel IP infrastructure solutions, were launched in late 2019, with Gridiron A, Gridiron B, and Celtic following earlier this year. Bravo and Gridiron are dedicated to FOX Sports’ NFL and college football coverage, while CBS Sports has reserved Columbia and Celtic for its NFL and college basketball broadcasts. Gotham, the truck currently in development, will enable MSG Networks’ coverage of New York Rangers hockey and New York Knicks basketball games.
The Barcelona-Madrid match, the first ever Clásico to include drone coverage thanks to Overon Aerial
Overon Aerial professionals spent the last month ensuring the acquisition of all the required legal permits (AESA, Interior Ministry, etc.) in order to provide the never before seen footage of El Clásico, a high-risk match whose operations boasted the collaboration of the Technical Unit of Mossos d'Esquadra Air Security, as well as the Camp Nou Security department. At all times, minute-by-minute coordination was required since the drone's flight coincided with that of two helicopters hovering above the pitch, and even had to deal with everyday situations such as the detection of hostile aircraft.
STUDIO / REMOTE PRODUCTION
Leiting chooses Genelec monitoring for immersive ‘Game Sound Lab’
Originally conceived as a surround sound studio, the acoustic design and construction of the project was handled by Qiao Zhenyu of Huanyu Acoustics, who persuaded Knuckles to go fully immersive. “I knew that many games had already used the 5.1 format to produce sound. But Qiao suggested that since it was already 5.1, why not make it 5.1.4 by adding the 4 height channels? I realised then that immersive audio technology is no longer a new thing, and we as creators surely have to learn to master this format."The studio then engaged the system integrator DMT to install a pair of Genelec 1234As as its main stereo monitoring system, with a 5.1.4 immersive system comprising eleven 8330A nearfield two-way monitors in all positions - complemented by a 7370A subwoofer. All the monitors were supplied in a stunning Polar White finish, and the entire system was configured and calibrated by DMT using GLM loudspeaker manager software.
High School Students Dive into Media Production with Help from Digital Resources and AJA Gear
Year on year, the company continues to see new clients requesting sophisticated on-campus studio builds that incorporate real-world media production equipment from companies like AJA Video Systems. Schools then harness the facility and equipment to train students on how to deliver daily news casts from start to finish, with students serving as the production crew, news anchor team, director/technical director and floor director. In addition to learning the tools and roles of the trade, they’re taught how to write story scripts; achieve the right voice quality, diction and timing; performance and pacing techniques; and more. Prosper Rock Hill High School in Frisco, TX is one of the many high schools embracing this methodology, and with help from Digital Resources, recently built a cutting-edge TV studio that its students use to produce and broadcast a live daily news show campus-wide.
SPORT EVENTS
The Final Battle! League of Legends to Be Continued! SMT is unparalleled!
During the final battle, fans and spectators of LOL all over the world turned their attention from SMT M-HUB to the Shanghai Pudong Football Stadium, the stage of the final finals. This newly completed football stadium is the third professional football stadium in Shanghai after the Hongkou Football Stadium and Jinshan Football Stadium. It is named the White Porcelain Bowl due to its special shape. In order to successfully host the S10 World Championship, all the units worked together to grasp the progress and completed the stadium construction task half a year in advance. After successfully completed the venue operations and broadcasting tasks for the group stage and knockout rounds, SMT sent the newly completed S-class 4K OB van to the final scene. This flagship OB van completed the “Honor of Kings Winter Champion Cup ", " Street Dance of China", “Chinese Football Association Super League ", and other top domestic e-sports, variety shows, and sports events on-site broadcasting mission. Combined with the strong technical capability of SMT and long-term experience in cooperation with overseas teams, the live broadcasting of the finals has become the most popular hot topic.
SHOW EVENTS
Robe Raises the Roof for The Killers Performance in Las Vegas
Signalling the start of the new NFL season, The Killers staged a special, highly symbolic one-off performance of their anthemic and hugely popular “Mr Brightside” on the rooftop of Caesar’s Palace … for the Las Vegas Raiders who have just moved into the newly completed Allegiant Stadium. Produced for ESPN, the segment’s lighting design was created remotely by The Killers’ long-term lighting designer Steven Douglas, who included 43 x Robe MegaPointes and 14 x CycFX 8 moving LED battens on the rig, supplied by lighting vendor LMG. Steven was working from home in Ireland, unable to travel due to international restrictions during the Coronavirus pandemic. He received a brief about the look of the piece from director Dagen Merrill plus ESPN’s creative team, and his design was realized on site by lighting programmer and operator Josh Spodick and the LMG crew.
Cinematics Produces A Live Cinematic Video Stream of The Avett Brothers
“This new model proves there is a profitable and safe way for artists and fans to connect during the pandemic,” Adam Paul, CEO of 7 Cinematics, explained. “The world has never seen something like this before and we broke new ground on these productions. There wasn’t a bad seat in the house, whether fans were at home or at the speedway.” 7 Cinematics beamed its signal to Nugs.net for a live broadcast around the world, while simultaneously sending the stream to the speedway’s 200-foot long LED screen. Crystal clear audio was broadcast via radio signal to each car within the speedway.
Elation rig lights virtual live event experience like no other
Livestream performance producers VYE have collaborated with Clair Global and production company GENETIC Productions to create a unique pay-per-view live stream performance space at Clair Global’s facility in Nashville that has redefined the live stream experience. “We wanted to give fans everything they’re used to seeing at a concert with moving lights, video walls, etc. and blend that with high-quality video streaming and a multi-camera setup for broadcast,” states Danny Zacharias of VYE, who designed lighting for the live stream space using gear from Elation Professional and sister company ADJ. “Add to that a Virtual Live Audience and this is really a virtual live event experience like no other.”
PlatformZA is Launched
Like so many new Covid-era inspired projects … PlatformZA started with a series of Zoom chats between connected industry people and influencers, during which, explains Christiaan, “It became very apparent that there was the need for a mechanism other than streaming to which artists and producers could bring their content.” He and Kappie – known for their can-do attitudes and seizing good opportunities – then hatched a plan! With the whole industry being affected, they wanted to proactively offer artists like comedians, singer-songwriters and bands plus other performers and presenters working in all genres of visual entertainment – from vlogs to games shows to cooking demos – “the chance to produce high-quality new material cost-effectively with full and professional technical production facilities and crew,” stated Christiaan, in addition to be able to host quality content that is made elsewhere.
Tom Kenny Lights 2020 iHeartCountry Festival with Bandit Lites
The festival was originally set to take place at the Frank Erwin Center in Austin, Texas on May 2nd, but was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The virtual show took place Friday, October 23, and country fans were able to enjoy their favorite artists performing live (from the comfort and safety of their own homes). Lighting designer Tom Kenny utilized a package with more than one hundred fixtures, including Ayrton Khamsin-S, Elation SIXPAR 100s, Claypaky Sharpys, Robe BMFL Spots, Robe ROBIN 600 LED Washes, TMB Solaris Flares and Color Kinetics ColorBlast TRX. Following a few audience-free shows already in his repertoire, Kenny knew to build a design that would look big on camera, adding fixtures to the deck and rig to fill space.
PRODUCTS
CTV invests in PHABRIX Qx and Sx for new ST2110 OB truck and IP workflows for The European Golf Tour
CTV, a leading provider of OB trucks and facilities, selected PHABRIX’s Qx advanced rasterizer to provide future-proofed test and measurement for IP-based workflows, including the company’s brand new OB12 32 camera truck which is currently being used on The European Golf Tour. CTV also invested in a Sx TAG handheld hybrid IP/SDI unit with ST2110 and ST2022 10GbE options for use with flypack systems. During the development of CTV’s IP workflow, the company needed test and measurement solutions that would cater for IP, SDI, UHD, HDR and audio as it moved forward with building new IP-ready trucks, flypack and remote systems.
Deutsche Telekom’s 5G launch reaches new heights with AO Drones
AO Drones’ highly agile, elite fleet of drones lit up the sky above Munich’s Olympic Park in October to mark the launch of Deutsche Telekom’s 5G network in the city. The GPS-guided, 300-strong swarm of drones performed a meticulously programmed 10-minute night-sky performance, creating Deutsche Telekom’s logos and messages in white and Telekom’s brand colour, magenta for the video cameras below. Tasked with creating the launch event, Düsseldorf-based event management company DO IT! brought in their regular production technology partner, AO Creative. They in turn called on their Dubai-based AO Drones team to deliver the state-of-the-art drone technology. Responsible for the overall production design was Jerry Appelt of JALD (Jerry Appelt Licht Design).
Ross Launches LUCID – Virtual Solutions Control Made Clearer
“This is a big step forward for Ross – we’re taking direct market feedback and ensuring that the increased sophistication of our virtual solutions doesn’t translate into increased complexity for operators,” notes Gideon Ferber, Director or Ross Virtual Solutions. “We have an impressive roadmap planned for virtual solutions, but every future development has to be underpinned by ease of use, speed of operation and flexibility. Making the move to this new LUCID platform now provides us with a more solid bedrock that we can develop on, and I know customers are going to find our ‘Aura’ look and feel highly dynamic and intuitive. We have already beta tested LUCID with a variety of different customers, and everyone has loved what they’ve seen. This is going to make our customers’ lives much easier and open up a great deal of creative potential.”
Ross Launches TouchDrive – Feel the Difference!
TouchDrive also includes a built-in DashBoard computer, enables integrated DashBoard control for various Ross products (e.g. XPression graphics, Ultrix routing, Tria replay and many more) and features convenient power/display/control connections for an additional external display. Available in five different sizes, from a single row 15 button panel to a 3-row 25 button panel, TouchDrive replaces all current Carbonite Black models except for the compact Carbonite Black Solo. Remarkably, pricing is on a par with to the outgoing Carbonite Black models, and first shipments are expected later this month.