Just Blogging

Super-widescreen Projection

Posted on January 8, 2010 with No Comments

Amazing what you can do with a bit of applied knowledge.

This short video shows the stage of the Lowry Arts Centre in Manchester- the screen and corporate stage set is a temporary 1-day installation, for an event I produced and coordinated for the British Council of Shopping Centres, back in 1999. The video itself shows just a small part of the event- this piece is just the opening introduction that was captured in an empty conference hall during technical rehearsal checks.

Super-widescreen Projection from Paul Hadley on Vimeo.

Using powerpoint and photoshop images as the background, the embedding and overlaying of live video, afterfx, graphics, text and moving images are produced from a system called Suite P. The system incorporated all the above, and also allowed for live camera relay and incomming satellite video links to be placed anywhere on the screen, on-demand, during the event.

Owned by Blitz Communications (the production company I was working for at the time), the system is based around 3, soft-edge masked large screen digital video projectors, with images hitting the screen to produce a 20x8m image, from a distance of approximately 100metres, front projected.

The technical knowledge behind the design of the software system and soft-edge masking controller was completed by Alan Cox, and the widescreen display programmer was Richard Turner. I’ve got to give a huge hat-tip to those guys- they were (and still are) so far ahead of the game (remember this is 1999 we’re talking about here).

The system was installed overnight after the orchestra had vacated the stage, and was up and running for 8am the following morning. If memory serves me correct, there were 8 technical staff on the crew for this event.

It just goes to show just how forward thinking the appliance of technical skills and expertise can push the boundaries. I feel privileged to be able to work with such technical experts from time to time. It’s guys like these that shape the future of technology, so standards such as this become commonplace in the hi-tech world we live in today.

If this type of presentation is something you are interested in for your events, please do not hesitate to get in touch.

Inspiration, snow and whisky

Posted on January 6, 2010 with No Comments

Hat tip to Hannah Nicklin, thank you.

So, it’s 3.19am, I’ve just saved 3000 words as a draft, and I spot a tweet from Hannah: “A watched Posterous never autoposts.”

So, now I’m stuck for creativity and inspiration, it’s time for some fresh air.

The heavens have gently, silently delivered another 2 inches of beautiful virgin snow outside. “Ah what the hell, it won’t hurt” thinks I. So, with my iphone in hand, out I go to the garden, and grab this:

Snow Tree

So, now inspired (and cold), I search for “snow, trees and video” on Google, and it comes up with this:

Ommwriter from Herraiz Soto on Vimeo.

Inspiration and platform found in one go. Thank you Ommwriter- you look delightful…tomorrow I’ll have a play.

Now it’s time for a quick Balvenie- hell I’m going to go get all natural with it- usually I’d add a little water, but there’s snow outside, and it’s wonderful.
This time I’ll put a coat on, and add a small scoop of snow into the glass.
Who says I don’t think about the environment.

Then, probably, bed. Let’s see.

07 Clive Dutton

Posted on September 15, 2009 with No Comments

On Friday 11th July, I was invited to interview Clive Dutton OBE.
Clive is the Director of Planning and Regeneration at Birmingham City Council.
He has been in post since February 2005, and with the original remit to “shake things up”- he’s certainly fulfilled the brief.
Filmed on the 25th floor of Alpha Tower, Clive gives us his views of the past, The Big City Plan, communication, his successes and achievement, London and Birmingham’s future.
Clive will be leaving Birmingham soon, to take up the position of Executive Director for Regeneration, Planning and Property at the London Borough of Newham.

Clive Dutton from Paul Hadley on Vimeo.

Sincere thanks must go to Nat Higginbottom of Aquila TV for helping me with his editing skills. This has shown up that I need to get the white balance on the cameras sorted, so colours are shown in better contrast, plus I need better microphones- that’s 2 things I’ll put right for all future interviews.