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Blackout Wins With Camelot
Drapes and rigging specialist Blackout was recently appointed by production house Live! Communications to help realise the set for Camelot’s National Lottery 10th birthday celebrations, staged in the massive Turbine Hall at Tate Modern, London.
Blackout project manager Ken Nock headed the site team, working closely with producer James Bugden, production manager Tony Wheeler and Live! Communications’ Rob Anderson.
With large areas of the roof inaccessible from a cherry picker, Blackout’s team of specialist rope access technicians were be-layed to the 35 metre high roof beams to pre-install safety lines. Once the safety lines were installed, they could move quickly and efficiently throughout the roof expanse to cover all rigging points. Blackout’s rigging design minimised the number of roof points, and utilised James Thomas 52cm truss – chosen for its load bearing capabilities.
Blackout also used the structural metalwork of the Turbine Hall’s decommissioned 50 tonne winch to support spreader beams – further saving time spent on rope access. These beams were used to fly eight 2-tonne Lodestar motors lifting a 7.5 tonne and measuring 9.800 metres wide x 6.000 metres high LED screen, supplied by Blitz.
The meticulously planned rigging schedule meant that the four 60m lighting trusses spanning the full length of the building, the entire stage lighting rig, the spreader beams and the 7.5 tonne LED screen were all in their final positions after two overnight sessions. This gave all other departments access for the next five nights of the build.
The venue remained open to the general public during the build days, so all work was carried out overnight, leaving everything cleared by morning. Working to tight deadlines, Blackout illustrated its talent for producing the most cost-effective and efficient methods with maximum integrity, quality and safety. Blackout remained on site throughout to oversee flying trusses to and from working height for the sound, light and video departments.
Nock’s team also rigged for all the aerial performers involved in the opening sequence, including Duo Vertigo’s amazing swinging act – where their split second timing relies on very specifically and correctly tensioned cable guy lines. Blackout ensured all cable angles were optimised so the highflying act could relax whilst soaring through the air – making a high impact start to a memorable event. Other aerialists included Viva.
Cilla Black and Duncan James hosted the celebrations. The star-studded evening – which commenced with a spectacular firework display outside, along the banks of the Thames. including a performance by Anastacia and guest appearances by Shirley Bassey and boyband Il Divo. The grand finale involved a £10 million Jackpot draw by the National Lottery operator Camelot.
15th December 2004
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