XL Video UK supplied screens, one of their new high definition PPUs, and an IMAG system for the recent Princess Diana Memorial Concert at Wembley Stadium. The event was coordinated for XL by screen producer Chris Saunders.
Flanking both sides of the stage were two screens made up from 9 x 7 modules of Lighthouse R16 LEDs flown in the conventional side-stage positions.
Two additional screens were configured and flown above the side stage monitor positions at right angles pointing away from the front of stage and directly at the restricted view seats around the back to ensure that everyone in the stadium got an equally good view of the action. These were also made up from Lighthouse R16 in a 5 x 4 panel format.
Onstage XL supplied six 10m high x 4m wide Barco MiTrix columns on a tracking system, that formed three pairs of “doors” for stage entrances and exits and also tracked into different positions to create variations in the set (designed by Peter Bingeman) look for different artists. The tracking system was supplied by The Rigging Partnership.
The show included performances by the English National Ballet, Elton John, Lily Allen, The Feeling, Kanye West, Natasha Beddingfield, Rod Stewart, and many more who didn’t let the rain dampen spirits along with the 62,000 odd live audience.
For IMAG, XL supplied 5 of their GV LDK 8000 HD cameras. Two were positioned at FOH with 100:1 lenses, two in the pit with 20:1 lenses and the fifth was a hand-held on the satellite stage, off to stage left of the main stage.
Video director Blue Leach cut the mix using a GV Kayak HD mixer/switcher. He also had access to an additional 8 HD camera mixes supplied by the host broadcasters CTV (for the BBC). XL set up their tally system to the broadcaster's cameras, so they could be aware when their cameras were being output to screen.
Four Doremi HD hard drives were used for storing logos and general announcement info utilized throughout the show
Special playback content was commissioned and supplied by onedotzero and programmed into four of XL’s Catalyst V4 digital media servers by Simon Pugsley who also operated via a Hog iPC lighting console. This was completely independently of the lighting, although he worked closely with LD Steve Nolan.
All the Catalyst outputs were fed into a Barco Encore system which split and distributed the various signal to the MiTrix columns and a rear onstage screen.
The concert was organized by Princes William and Harry on what would have been Diana’s 46th birthday to mark the 10th anniversary of her death. It was broadcast on BBC 1 and will be seen in 140 countries.