The last six months has seen a transformation of the live events industry
UK - As the outbreak of COVID-19 across the globe saw the entire UK go into lockdown late March 2020, the last six months has forced both a sudden hiatus and transformation of the live events industry.
In response, Creative Technology (CT) has moved virtual event technology to the centre of its offering.
CT has expanded its in-house facilities which includes a XR studio powered by the Unreal engine, a fully fitted remote production gallery, two additional remote production suites and two COVID-secure socially distanced performance spaces - all based at its offices in London, Gatwick.
Says the company, “The ability to record, edit, and live stream content all in one location has allowed us to create some extraordinary events, reaching thousands across the globe. From demanding and complex streaming events such as a virtual event for international blue chip company, which saw CT delivering three simultaneous 90 minute live virtual shows twice over one day in six different languages for client, BK Events, to the Human Rights Watch fundraiser which gained over 11,000 viewers across the day raising nearly $8,000,000 for the cause.”
Another event that made use of CT’s newest facilities was Katherine Jenkins’ live sing-along, powered by Vodafone. The opera singer’s home performance was streamed to thousands of people via Facebook Live and into over 100 care homes across the UK and was a huge success.
In August, CT hosted the AIM Independent Music Awards, presented by Tiffany Calvert who was joined by a selection of award-winning artists including AJ Tracey, Arlo Parks, and Little Simz. Performances took place on the virtual stage in CT’s studio and on a real physical stage in our COVID-secure performance space, UNITY, for the pre-recorded event which was then streamed by over 20,000 viewers.
In the world of sport, with many events now beginning to take place behind closed doors, CT has been on hand to deliver core technical services on-site.
As an approved supplier of the European Tour, CT has been continuing to supply tournament television services to the tour events as well as delivering new on-course leader boards, a digital alternative to the manual scoreboards which are helping to support social distancing guidelines by reducing the amount of people required to support this service.
In addition to this, CT has put two of its OB vans to work at the Men’s International Cricket. The COVID-secure, fully fitted out vehicles which were introduced for the 2020 season brought in all feeds from the host broadcaster, CTV and distributed video and graphical content to the venue and perimeter LED screens.
Standing out from the virtual and behind closed doors events throughout the last 6 months, Creative Technology were honoured to work for client, The BBC, to commemorate the 75th Anniversary of VJ Day with a visual spectacular at the Horse Guards Parade in London.
“As we reflect over the last six months, I am immensely proud of what Creative Technology has achieved, both as a business and as a team of individuals,” says Mark Elliott, managing director of Creative Technology UK. “We have been faced with huge challenges, as has the entire industry, that nobody could have foreseen and we will continue to pull together and work hard to deliver shows and support our clients with virtual, live or hybrid solutions, as we navigate through this new world of live events.”

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