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Pandemonium Produces Brunel’s Graduation Ceremonies
High Wycombe based Pandemonium Productions was appointed by Brunel University to design, manage and produce its five-day graduation ceremony event. Returning to the Brunel campus after several years, eight ceremonies were staged in Brunel’s internationally acclaimed Athletics Centre.
As a landmark occasion where 4,000 students were awarded their degrees, the ceremonies were attended by over 8,000 friends, family and honorary guests. In addition Brunel awarded 10 Honorary degrees to selected Graduands, including Sir John Dankworth, Boris Johnson MP, Dame Cleo Laine, Iain Sinclair, Charles Dunstone and Jack Straw MP.
Pandemonium Productions’ MD Simon Garrett collaborated with Brunel University’s event manager, Liz Thomas, from the outset. Successfully translating her brief, Garrett and his team delivered an ultra-slick ceremonial environment that enhanced the experience for the graduates and guests alike, leaving a lasting and memorable impression.
Ensuring smooth operations from start to finish Garrett appointed Malcolm Birkett as production manager. Together they managed their team of preferred suppliers to tackle the challenge of transforming the £13 million Athletics Centre into a stunning ceremonial auditorium environment, which complied with current DDA regulations.
Working with appointed set designer, Ian Fogden of IFD Design, Pandemonium configured a set that was sympathetic to the elegant simplicity of the hall whilst maximising the rectangular space and domed ceiling structure of the ultra contemporary Athletics Centre.
Custom built by staging experts – Centre Stage - the modular stage boasted an elegant curved frontage, central steps and incorporated two DDA compliant ramps either side of the ceremony area. Above the stage two x 5.33 metre x 3 metre 16:9 front projection screens showed live relay of the event. The screens were joined by a central scenic panel with a relief rendering of the Brunel crest.
Production manager Malcolm Birkett commented: “One of the key challenges to overcome was the protection of the Athletics Centre’s floor. We spent time sourcing a suitable covering manufactured by Softfloor, which provided the perfect solution. He added: “The load-in needed to be handled with military precision. Due to the shape of the centre, it was a long process – an ‘hour-glass’ operation.”
With the Centre’s glass domed ceiling, keeping the environment cool was another major concern. Producer Simon Garrett appointed Power Logistics to supply the generator power and provide the air conditioning system. He commented: “ We were extremely happy with the perfect temperate conditions provided. A lot of planning and preparation ensured that at any one time over 4,000 litres of water was cascading around the internal perimeter of the building.”
Arena Seating supplied a theatre-style arrangement of its upholstered tiered structure seats that were positioned stage left and right, with another 500 flat seats positioned centre stage for the graduates. This configuration allowed the desired 1,500 capacity audience for each ceremony.
Drapes and rigging specialist Blackout was appointed to provide all the ‘softs’ for the event. Over 150 metres of black wool drapes were expertly suspended around the perimeter ‘masking’ daylight from the venue and softening the acoustic potential of the space. In addition 36 metres of bespoke silver grey Bolton fabric drapes were used on the back wall to complement the main stage. Highlighting the stage’s ‘triangular’ shape four bespoke royal blue velour drapes added a lavish effect and complemented the colours of the Brunel crest.
Audio experts Delta Sound specified a flown distributed d&b audiotechnik speaker system, which was suspended from the 130 metre presentation truss structure, which was supplied by Blackout. At the FOH position a Midas H1000 added flexibility on site. The specified Shure radio microphones were fitted with cardioid capsules ensuring a directional and crystal clear sound that minimised any feedback. Again in line with the DDA, Delta Sound provided induction loop systems for the hard of hearing. Three separate loop systems were integrated into each main seating block area without interfering with the technical equipment of the temporary installation.
Jon Pope of Lighting Design Services specified the production lighting that complemented the set design. “Working with the ever changing ambient light levels coming in through the large skylight running through the Athletics Centre roof was the main challenge,” he explained.
The lighting solution fused a classic combination of Par 64’s, Source 4’s and Fresnels to achieve the desired effect. The audience was lit with 2000 watt Fresnels in light pink, warming their faces and bringing them out from the surrounding daylight. All the lights were controlled via a Celco 60 lighting desk and a 72-way Avolites dimmer rack.
AV supplier Cookie Jar headed by Ed Jarman supplied four Panasonic 10K (10,000 ANSI lumens) projectors, which were double hung to provide extra brightness and used to front project the real-time footage captured on stage by projectionist Steve Highgate and video director Steve Rowsell, using cameras supplied by XL Video positioned FOH.
Brunel University’s events manager, Liz Thomas enthused: “Simon Garrett and his team were fantastic. With a commendable ‘can-do’ approach, they realised our brief accurately and in line with all DDA requirements. With a minimum of fuss the team ensured that our first graduation ceremonies held on campus for many years was a resounding success and a landmark occasion for all our graduates.“
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