FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
4 December 2007

Creative Technologies Scores at Rugby World Cup

It was always going to be big, but with the eight week Rugby World Cup tournament spread across 12 stadiums - 10 in France and two in the UK - and each of those having hospitality areas that involved Creative Technology and sister company Dimension Audio crew and kit, it turned out to be one of biggest single jobs in the company’s history.

“At the beginning of the tournament, we were servicing all 12 venues and there were anything up to three hospitality areas per venue,” says Project Director Scott Burges. “For the final, we were centred in Paris where we had six hospitality areas, the largest and most prestigious of which was for RTH 07’s Platinum Package clients and had a total of 10 restaurants!”

Outside this particular venue was an 11 x 4 panel Unitek LED screen, showing pre-recorded rugby footage for guests as they arrived. Once inside, they were greeted by the pièce de résistance of the entire project, a 4.5 x 3m diameter rugby ball located in the entrance to the Platinum Suite. Approximately 2,000 Barco OLite612 tiles encompassed the specially manufactured structure of the ball, which was placed in a kicking cup to hold it off axis.

“The complete design concept was developed and managed by Shepperton based event agency Colour Coordinate who employed Pinpoint as their Audio Visual specialists” continues Scott. “It took around six weeks to engineer, one and a half weeks to populate it and make it work back at base and then about three days to reconstruct on site.”

As guests moved past the rugby ball, they entered a tunnel that had 10m x 2m rear projection screens positioned on either side. Four projectors per screen were soft edged together to make one composite picture displaying iconic rugby images such the Hacka. Additional plasmas were positioned in the central atrium, which also featured Play Station rugby games and an interactive ‘Kick the Ball’ game, where guests could try their hand ­ or foot ­ at kicking a rugby ball projected onto the floor through the goal on the wall. From here, they made their way to the restaurants which each contained a plasma screen and PA system, where they were wined, dined and treated to more rugby action before they headed off for the game itself.

“The logistics of this project were demanding to say the least and great thanks is due to all the CT crew who supported Colour Coordinate throughout the duration of the project,” adds Scott. “As well as to all the people whose skills have helped us get such a major project out of - and back through - the door.”

“The project was immense so we really needed a company to work with that could really support us in what we were doing,” concludes Pinpoints’ Mick Jones. “Creative Technology were responsive and professional from day one and I think that as a complete team we achieved something quite special.”

Gasoline Media
9 Dalmore Avenue
Claygate, Surrey KT10 0HQ
Phone: 01372 471472
E-Mail: Sarahj@gasolinemedia.com
Website URL: www.gasolinemedia.com