SPS has been developing the event format with BSkyB over the past eight months, working together on the stage and set design, as well as planning the seating layout, lights, sound and cameras. Neil Smith, the manager of the project at SPS said: "We have had a good working relationship with BSkyB for the past six years now, so we were delighted to be working on the forum again this year. An event of this size and content takes extensive planning in the months leading up to it, with a whole team of lighting, sound and camera engineers planning every tiny detail. A final crew of 26 people from SPS worked at the forum on the day, which is large compared to other corporate events that we have worked on."
The stage that SPS built consisted of an elliptical centrepiece, with two main projection screens either side of centre, linked to twin Barco projectors: 60" plasma screens were then placed next to these screens at the edges of the stage. So as not to distract from the main activity, SPS built a production unit at the back of the stage in order to house the portable production units, computers for on-screen graphics and technicians. This is also where Andy Finn, senior director for Sky Sports, directed the presentation.
SPS provided the sound set up, which comprised 26 radio microphones, in the audience and on the stage to provide a mixed sound: there were also some hand-helds for audience questions. Lighting involved generic lanterns and an array of Martin Professional MAC 250s, which set the scene and announced different parts of the forum, such as presentations and question and answer sessions, which were indicated by colour changes. SPS also provided camera and production work at the event, consisting of two sets of vision mixing.
(Lee Baldock)
