For many years, ATC has been proud to provide AV technical support to Streetly Academy for its annual student Pride Awards, and the latest ceremony has continued that tradition.
The Brief
Held at Villa Park, the event is organised by teaching staff at Streetly Academy, working in partnership with ATC to create a glittering awards ceremony to close the academic year in style.
Our brief for this event was to provide a set backdrop and stage, along with video and camera support, lighting, and sound to create a full technical package.
Equipment Used
Our set backdrop incorporated two 12′ projection screens, set either side of a central 2.5m x 3.5m LED screen.
With a brightly lit stage setting, we needed high-brightness projection, and two Panasonic PT-RQ22KEJ 4K 20K projectors were the ideal choice.
Our Unilumin UPAD IV 2.6mm LED panels provided the super-bright solution in the centre of the set, with Novastar 660 processors in control.
The busy programme for the evening included guest speakers, as well as musical and dance performances from students.
With a livestream managed by staff from the school, camera support was crucial in bringing the action from stage to viewers online. This came from a three-camera mix: two Blackmagic URSA G2 broadcast cameras and a Panasonic AW-UE160KEJ8 PTZ camera situated on the Holte Suite balcony.
Of course, we needed to create a first-class broadcast mix for the YouTube livestream, and our Blackmagic V2 4K Fly Pack Portable Production Unit fitted the bill perfectly.
Along with the livestream, the school produces its own dynamic video content for each awards category, perfectly complementing the ceremony on stage. Three screens on stage and Panasonic stage monitoring meant our Barco E2 Gen 2 video processor was an excellent choice in managing the screen content and displays.
As with any awards ceremony, sound is crucial, and our d&b systems work brilliantly in this environment. We used a combination of Y10P, T10, E18 and E3 speakers powered by D20 amplifiers to fill the room with sound.
Mics from our Shure UR4D system, Rode NT5, and Audio Technica AT935 mics were used for stage presentations and performances, all controlled by a Yamaha DM7 mixing desk.
Dynamic lighting adds movement and excitement to any event, and this ceremony was no exception. Controlled by an Avolites Pearl Tiger Touch Pro desk, Robe Robin 150 Beams and Chauvet Colorstrike fixtures added vibrancy to proceedings. Chauvet EVE E-100Z Profiles, F-265WW LED Fresnels and Ayrton Diablo-S LED Profiles lit the stage and presenters, completing the lighting line-up.
As all of the award winners posed on stage for photos, we rounded off this terrific event with a bang — using four stage effects cannons filled with confetti in school colours.
What a way to close the evening and congratulate the students of Streetly Academy on their success.
See you next year!
