Rugby World Cup 07
October 2007
It was always going to be big, but with the eight week Rugby World Cup tournament spread across 12 stadiums, 10 in France and two in the UK - each having hospitality areas that involve Dimension Audio crew and kit, it has turned out to be huge.
“At the beginning of the tournament, we were servicing all 12 venues and there were anything up to three hospitality areas per venue,” says Project Director Scott Burges. “Heading towards the final, we were centred in Paris where we had six hospitality areas, the largest and most prestigious of which is for RTH07’s Platinum Package clients and has a total of 10 restaurants!”
“The complete design concept was developed and managed by Shepperton based event agency Colour Coordinate who employed Pinpoint as their Audio Visual specialists” continues Scott.
Outside this particular venue is an 11 x 4 panel Unitek LED screen, with 6 x d&b Q1’s, 4 x d&b Q subs and 4 x d&b E3’s providing crystal clear sound for the screen showing pre-recorded rugby footage for guests as they arrive – or live video feed for crew, once the guests have moved on to the stadium for the match…
Inside, Plasma Displays and a PA system is situated in each restaurant, a total of 44 x d&b Q7’s were used between all the restaurants. With more plasmas positioned in the central atrium, which also featured Play Station rugby games and an interactive ‘Kick the Ball’ game, where guests can try their hand – or foot – at kicking a rugby ball projected onto the floor through the goal on the wall. In order to achieve the sound levels required 32 x d&b E3’s were installed in this area.
The pièce de résistance, of course, is the 4.5m x 3m diameter rugby ball. Approximately 2000 OLite 612 tiles encompass the ball, placed in a kicking cup to hold it off axis. “The sound output required for this was crucial” states Dimension Project Manager, James Loveless. “The ball looked incredible, it was essential the correct type of sound was obtained to compliment the main feature. Having tested a number of in-house systems, we felt the best solution was to use 8 x d&b Ci80’s – this really helped bring the surround sound of the ball to life”.
As guests move past the rugby ball, they enter a tunnel with 4 x d&b Q7’s 4 x d&b Q subs working alongside the 10m x 2m rear projection screens on either side. Four projectors per screen are soft edged together to make one composite picture displaying iconic rugby images such as the Hacka. From here, they make their way to the restaurants, where they are wined, dined and treated to more rugby action before they head off for the game itself. The sound equipment in the restaurants included 44 x d&b Q7’s and 30 x d&b D12 Amplifiers.
In addition to the main stadium, Dimension Audio also supplied and operated 17 separate venues in France and England, each venue consisted of, 4 x d&b Q7’s 1 x Yamaha LS9-16 mixer.
“The logistics of this project were demanding to say the least and great thanks is due to all the Dimension and Creative Technology crew who supported Colour Coordinate throughout the duration of the project,” adds Scott. “As well as to all the people whose skills have helped us get such a major project out of - and back through - the door.”
“The project was immense so we really needed a company to work with that could really support us in what we were doing,” concludes Pinpoints’ Mick Jones. “Dimension Audio and Creative Technology were responsive and professional from day one and I think that as a complete team we achieved something quite special.”
