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__________________________