Booking Line

September 2009

o2 Arena - London

reason / objective

Smyle were invited to design and create the production for the 2009 Entrepreneurs Bootcamp at the O2 arena in London, as well as managing the live filming and producing media content.

The client brief was to provide a unique stage set and presentation format at the 15,000-capacity venue.

Smyle were asked to manage a host of motivational speakers (including Bootcamp founder Andrew Reynolds) to address aspiring entrepreneurs in an event held annually by the millionaire.  Previously Wembley Conference Centre, The Bournemouth International Centre and The Brighton Centre have hosted Bootcamp but this is the first time it has taken place in the iconic Docklands venue, the largest indoor arena in the UK.

concept / solution

Smyle created the massive 34.5m wide by 11.9m high projection canvas lit up by six of the world's brightest single-phase true HD projectors —flown off a 25-metre high truss, high above the audience, via a fast-fit custom-designed rigging system. According to supplier QED and projector manufacturer Christies, the 410 square metre screen was over 100 square metres larger than previous largest indoor projection screen in the UK.

Ten flown 16ft x 9ft repeater screens ensured that everyone had a ring-wide view especially those on the upper levels of Arena.

Pre-event, Smyle also employed its in-house Video & Design departments to create and manage on-screen graphical and video content. The design team started with the creation of the brand identity for the event and then aligned this with all motion graphics such as intro stings, related media & collateral.
The design team also collated and formatted all the presenters’ content on-site to ensure it was ready for the show. 

Their video team edited pre-event website promos and produced the main on-screen videos including full screen HD media, customized LED and ‘arenamation’ content.

On-site, Smyle’s video dept managed the 8 camera shoot including two jibs and 2 wireless steadicams mixed in the OB truck and then fed live to an on-site team who produced master DVDs ready for duplication immediately after the show.

To fulfill Smyle’s media design, they asked QED to create a massive 15-way matrix, which fed the projectors and included everything from computers showing PowerPoint and Keynote content, HD cameras and even a visualiser OHP. 

Smyle’s set design had a dynamic screen-base constructed from Kinesis controlled moving walls of creative LED screens. The stage also incorporated an automated rolling riser capable of smoothly revealing a 2.8t Bentley GT Continental which was given away as a prize and 3 further manual rolling risers that were used to reveal a surprise live band performance.  Using the moving walls and risers allowed Smyle to keep the stage clear for presentations then dynamically revealing elements to keep the audience guessing and produced a TV style feel to the show.