Corporate event producer Harris Goldman Productions (HGP) specializes in meetings with a theatrical flair. For their production of beauty and health supplier, Sunrider International’s, 2004 Annual Grand Convention, which is attended by 3,500 international distributors, the Montage proved to be a dramatic solution to this year’s event.
"There were a number of challenges in producing this year’s convention," reports Goldman. "The first was the conference setting–a large exhibit hall with very limited ceiling height at the Long Beach Convention Center. The second was the diverse audience–speaking 15 languages–for whom strong visuals were essential to effectively deliver the client’s messages. And the third was a short lead-time for the design team, which required HGP to commit to the scenic concept prior to finalizing meeting content and presentations."
The creative for the Convention theme, "Sunrider Around the World," focused on the company’s global achievements over its 22-year history. Key to realizing this theme were diverse theatrical segments and environments that could change frequently and seemingly effortlessly during the two days of general sessions and the closing gala show.
The scenic design included fluted columns and step platforms on a custom-built stage with the projection screen spanning its entire upstage width. In addition, two I-Mag screens flanked the stage. Using the Montage widescreen system as their palette, HGP’s scenic and projection designers created spectacular photo montages and dramatic backgrounds for several theatrical segments which took the audience on a virtual "journey" around the globe.
Award ceremonies benefited from both the photogenic backgrounds of the expansive projections and the ease with which each award segment could be identified with grand, elegant graphics. By working closely with the video director in rehearsal, the lighting designer was able to integrate theatrical lighting, which effectively illuminated the on-stage presenters and performers without compromising the impact of the Montage projections. The widescreen format also supported inset video and graphics, which was used both for product and marketing presentations as well as for theatrical modules.
To close the convention, Harris Goldman Productions created an original gala show titled "Simply the Best From Around the World" that featured a wide array of world-class talent and a 30-piece onstage orchestra. The projection designer created ethereal backgrounds that complemented the inspiring performances by the world-renowned guest artists.
"Montage helped us transform a bare exhibit hall into an exciting and dynamic environment," concludes Goldman. "It allowed for flexibility to scenically support the presentation segments as they were developed with the client. And, the huge, blended widescreen images helped us to reinforce the client’s messages visually, minimizing the challenges of effectively communicating to a language-diverse audience."
The Montage system was provided by Video Applications, a staging solutions company and programming was done by Larry May of Switched Video Productions.