Spectrum Productions Delivers the Full Production Punch in Comcast’s “Knock Out the Competition” Event

ATLANTA, August 26, 2003 – Spectrum Productions and the Gwinnett Center north of Atlanta teamed up to energize Comcast’s regional personnel to knock out the competition with a boxing themed event requiring the audio, video and lighting inventory and technical expertise of Spectrum Productions.

An event that packed a big sound punch, delivered stunning visuals, met the specifications of Comcast’s internal marketing plan and staged in a cavernous exhibition hall, and had to be done on a limited budget. A TKO even before the opening bell? Not according to Jim Johnson, Technical Services Manager at the Gwinnett Center, who knew that the show could be done right . . .with the right package of gear, personnel and oversight. He turned to Spectrum Productions, an Atlanta, Georgia based full service production company, for the creative solutions. “When I turnkey a production to Spectrum Productions I know I will receive professional gear at prices my clients can work into their budget,” Johnson says. “I can rely on their staff to take a personal interest and go above and beyond to make sure everything goes off without a hitch. Once again, they came through with the Comcast event.”

The acoustics of the 3000 seat exhibition hall presented significant challenges in ensuring intelligibility for the spoken word and delivering the necessary punch for introductions and video rolls. A Tysonesque 20-second knockdown could have been on the horizon. Spectrum’s creative application of the right technologies turned a real issue into a “No problem. We can do that,” solution. Frank Jimenez, one of Spectrum’s audio engineers, “Based on the size and shape of the audience and cost considerations, I thought the best way through was staggered dead hangs of our larger OAP’s. They’re solid in this type of situation and provide a great alternative to our heavier rigs. And their flexibility in this kind of space means less hit-and-miss. A lot less.” Jimenez selected eight flown OAP 1502’s for the mains and eight flown OAP 122’s for the delays. A front fill of eight OAP 622’s flown from the truss structure above the ring created the punch and clarity for the 2,000 people in the bleacher-style audience. Eight OAP 218 subwoofer cabinets strategically placed on the hall floor rounded out the bottom. Crown amplifiers supplied the rock solid reliable power and a Yamaha 3212 console provided the control. A variety of presenters in all vocal ranges utilizing both lavaliere and handheld microphones were introduced with high-energy music. Introductory video rolls were also delivered with the same clarity and high energy hit. A professional boxing emcee kept the entire program entire program flowing smoothly.
A contrived setting was not going to deliver the required return on investment the client was demanding. The audience had to feel the up close and personal energy of a boxing ring environment throughout the program. The custom graphics and I-mag shots had to bring the “spectators” into the ring. Spectrum’s creative use its video hardware achieved the stunning results the client was expecting. Three 10.5’x14’ Da-Lite front projection screens were flown from the ring’s truss grid. A single Sanyo PLC-XF30N for each screen provided video projection. “With (double) lamp redundancy and plenty of horsepower (5200 lumens) to fill the screens, we felt confident that the video package would carry the needed impact,” commented Spectrum’s video engineer, Adam Smith.

Direct collaboration with the COMCAST engineering staff was necessary as they provided their broadcast truck and cameras for the I-mag portion of the event. The video sources ranged from power point and video rolls to the feed directly to and from the truck. Smith continues, “I could go in just about any direction with any source material at the drop of a hat. The Folsom (Screen Pro Plus) and the Vista (ScreenMaster) combination let me pre-program everything during rehearsals and when the show went live, no slow or missed cues. Not even a hiccup; smooth as glass.” Two Sony PVW-2800 Beta SP Component VTR’s captured all the action down on the canvas. With the state-of-the-art video switching system and Spectrum’s own video engineering fly packs, the time needed to set and strike the complex video segment, even while incorporating the client’s proprietary equipment, was kept to a minimum. This allowed for an efficient and productive rehearsal and a polished program.

The lighting rig also proved to be an incredible value to all parties. The forty foot square rig over the ring did double duty as support for the forty ETC Source4 pars and the video screens. Complimenting the conventional lighting were twenty High End Studio Colors hung throughout the ceiling grid above the audience. With the addition of three High End Technobeams fitted with custom Comcast gobos, Lighting Designer Chuck Weyant had his choice of any mood or room look for each speaker and video roll. According to Weyant, “I was looking for flexibility and impact and quick set-up. Comcast made it clear what the feel of the show should be. They wanted their content to be delivered in a specific environment with a specific look.” Three additional 30’ truss sections served as support for the projectors and additional front and side lighting. The placement of these sections negated any need for optional projector lenses.

The Technobeams were attached to the upstage ends of the stage left and right sections. This placement allowed the custom gobos to be projected on all surfaces throughout the hall. Weyant continues ” The client wanted the gobos to be everywhere; on the floor, the walls, on the chairs and bleachers. We gave them an entrance look with slow sweeps over the open floor and seats then moved to more energized look for the executive introductions with strobe effects and quick position changes. Those fixtures (Technobeams) really give a lot (of dollar value).”

Spectrum Productions delivered a knockout show with creativity, flexibility, cost –efficiency and technical excellence without leaving anybody dazed, punch-drunk, bruised, battered or face down on the canvas!