Suppliers to MTV Europe Awards '08

...included:

Stage One ________________________________________________________

This was Stage One's eighth year at the MTV Europe Music Awards (EMAs) and the company was led by senior project manager, Steve Dolan.

Pic Stage One's Qmotion system

Brief         

To deliver the performance and presentation areas as well as scenic items for several performers. Also to construct the MTV Awards stage and dress the Glamour Pit to allow artists to watch performances within the arena, instead of from backstage.

Delivery

Stage One devised innovative solutions to several engineering challenges. These included designing and producing a mechanism to secure a hanging canopy of MI Strip panels; providing a rigging solution to fly over 70 vertical LED’s and designing a non load bearing design for attaching an LED spider to the venue handrail.

It also constructed the 12m diameter central performance stage and connecting catwalks, providing access to the backstage area via two *Qmotion® controlled moving screens. Various lighting and light box elements were incorporated into both the stage and catwalks.A bespoke Qmotion® controlled person lift facilitated a fast, smooth reveal of several of celebrities on stage.

Stage One also constructed the giant "cherry chapstick" upon which EMAs host Katy Perry emerged from beneath the central stage into the arena. Additionally, a scenically built "shipping container" which opened up to reveal a plush velvet set for Duffy's debut performance.

Feedback

“We have established a close working relationship with the team from MTV and were absolutely delighted to once again be invited to form part of the team delivering this high profile event. Special mention must go to the fantastic local suppliers and crew, who played an important part in helping to make this event such a success.”  Steve Dolan

Blackout _____________________

Brief

To provide the production rigging and drapes for the show led by Blackout director Kevin Monks. Installing a complex infrastructure of truss and rigging to meet the exact requirements of a detailed and demanding design. Blackout was also commissioned by production agency Design Arrival to transform the Albert Dock into a party venue for the main sponsors’ aftershow party. 

Delivery

In total Blackout flew 92 tons of sound, lighting, video and rigging equipment including 10 tons of actual lifting hoists from nearly 300 points. This included 32 hoists for sound, 90 for lighting and 80 hoists, 400m of Black H30v Prolyte Truss and a 10m Black Truss Circle for the integral XL Video Barco Mistrips Video ceiling which radiated throughout the whole arena.

The central backdrop to the main stage was a 12m x 8m Roller Projection Screen comprising Blackout’s own system of modular carbon fibre rollers and encoded motor and control.

Blackout also supplied effects to the performers and presenter, Katy Perry. Guided by  director Hamish Hamilton and band producer Sarah Currie, Blackout helped realise the designs of Florian Wielder to create a projection surface of 25 cubes of white screen material attached to a 10m x 10m StageCo Layher System, incorporating performance space for The Killers. Video Screen Content Editor, Richard Turner, then projected striking, moving images to create the illusion of 3D motion within the cubes.

Blackout's flown grid of Black Prolyte glided in for Take That’s performance (pic above) on 10m per minute Kinesis Encoded Hoists. This truss suspended 60 x 5m vertical XL Video Barco Mistrips panels to create a "video forest" which the band performed in. Kinesis encoded hoists were also used to fly presenter Katy Perry on a giant banana for one of her links.

The party was held in a series of bars and restaurants along the docks linked by the quayside walkway. Blackout's Tim Searle ensured that guests were spared the elements by designing a system using 100m of outdoor PUFC drapes to line the outer edge of the dockside.

Feedback

“This was a particularly challenging project taking into account the exposure to the elements, proximity to deep water and the tasks we needed to perform. Working closely with Toria Richardson and Anthea Roy of MTV European Networks, we came up with a solution that was both safe and effective, enabling us to transform the outdoor space into a luxurious indoor party area with the level of finish you’d expect for such a high-profile event.”  Tim Searle

Thorns Group __________________________________________________

Thorns Group is one of the largest independent suppliers of equipment to the UK’s events, exhibitions and conference sector and it operates from London, Manchester and Birmingham.(Pic Left) Thorns' new Rhapsody glasses

Brief
To supplied furniture and catering equipment ranging from champagne glasses to heavy kitchen equipment.        

Delivery

Thorns supplied kitchen equipment including units such as turbo ovens and hot cupboards while other items ranging from trestle tables to bar equipment and stylish black linens. Thorns, which operates from offices in London, Manchester and Birmingham, also provided a wide selection of glassware including champagne flutes, tumblers and wine goblets.

Feedback
 “Whether they’re being hosted in Munich or Milan, Lisbon or Liverpool, the 2008 MTV Europe Music Awards are a truly glittering occasion. Having previously supplied equipment to a succession of major award ceremonies, Thorns Group was thrilled to play its part in MTV's latest spectacular.”
Group Sales Director Clair Whitecross

For the MTV show report click here

RK__________________________