XL Video is supplying a substantial projection system, cameras, PPU, Catalyst and Hippotizer digital media servers and crew for the current Coldplay "Viva La Vida" world tour.
Working closely with Edinburgh-based Pufferfish, XL has also jointly developed 6 unique internally projected spheres - and steel cage housings - which are a major scenic feature of the show. The show's inventive set and lighting was created by Paul Normandale, with video playback content specially commissioned and produced by Justine Catterall, technical support by Richard Turner and live video directed by Andy Bramley. Des Fallon is International account handler & project manager for XL. Normandale's brief included the instructions to come up with something new that avoided using LED screens, and so the idea of the projection globes originated.
Five 2 metre diameter globes are onstage, three attached to the two rear trusses (which are horizontal ladder beams shaped like waves), and the other two downstage left and right at the sides of stage, flown on two more wave trusses. All these move in and out during the show on a fixed speed Kinesys automation system. The sixth globe - 3 metres in diameter - sits above the FOH mixer position.
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