A track record of success

THE ASK

Linus Media Group approached Proshow to film “Tech Trivia”, Jeopardy!-style quiz game show, in our Burnaby studio. Like many productions in the time of COVID, we would need to find a way to cater to a combination of in-studio and remote participants. This meant allowing all participants to buzz in, give answers and see live scores without giving any advantage to participants in the studio.

THE SOLUTION

We set up the studio with a 46ft by 9ft LED wall to display dynamic backgrounds for the show. For the remote players, we placed individual monitors on top of 2D body cut- outs, then used vMix Calls to connect the players to their respective monitors.

In front of the player’s “body”, a digital lectern displayed their name, answers, wagers and score. We used online paint canvases initially for participants to write their name down “live” on the digital lectern. The same canvases were later used to write their answers and wagers (the reveal was achieved by using picture-in-picture cropped for the response, then another crop for the wager).

To level the playing field between the remote players and the sometimes-opponent/host, all players had to buzz in using the online buzzer, and scores were tracked in real-time using live Excel sheet score tracking.

The entire show was shot on four different cameras, including one jib-mounted camera, and streamed to Floatplane (the client’s streaming platform).

THE ASK

The technical producers of the conference, e=mc² events, approached Proshow to set up and support groups of speakers on multiple continents (presenting from their own homes with zero on-site technical support) and attendees around the world. Because the conference was presented by a group of speakers, the system had to allow the presenters to communicate privately among themselves, as well public-facing discussions with interactivity and real-time polling for the audience. As an added complexity, the end solutions had to be compatible with the client’s stringent security policies that provided very few connection options.

Because of the truly global nature of the event (our speakers were presenting from diverse locations like Johannesburg, Dubai, Milan, and New York), we would have to take into account the different time zones and the variabilities of internet stability and speed. In addition, sessions needed to be recorded and uploaded to the conference platform website so attendees could watch on-demand any sessions they had missed.

THE SOLUTION

In order to ensure the success of the conference, Proshow and e=mc² events worked towards the solution in a three-pronged approach: System selection and set-up; remote technical support; and developing multiple back-up plans.

Firstly, the team began by identifying, well in advance, the limitations and relative trade-offs of the available technologies. The ability to switch between speakers was a high priority. We selected a Vmix cloud switcher system which allowed us to bring in up to 8 speakers at a time, as both on-stage presenters and commenting/observing staff. We connected Vmix into Zoom which then fed the Pheedloop platform, for the audience experience, with integration to Sli.do to provide the polling systems.

With the primary systems in place, we established an international teleconference bridge line in case of a total, non-recoverable internet failure at a critical speaker’s site. This meant that they would still be able to phone in and present their content by voice. In this case, we had headshots for every speaker standing by so they would be visually represented as they spoke.

To make sure that all the speakers were comfortable with the technology, we scheduled multiple rehearsals of the content-heavy, C-Suite level presentations where we were able to provide technical coaching and support, staff could observe and provide real-time notes to the presenter.

THE ASK

JABC shared their plan for a special evening with Proshow and asked for help to bring it to fruition. The evening would be presented by a host and a selection of remote panelists. Serving as the MC, the host would present the virtual event from a studio and would need to be able to interact with the panelists. On the audience side of the event, JABC wanted to broadcast to two separate platforms. The first would be an interactive VIP experience, the second one, for the majority of the audience, would be a view-only event. Regardless of which platform the attendees were using, they needed access to real-time polling functionality.

THE SOLUTION

Proshow hosted the MC at their own studio in Burnaby, BC. From here, we were able not only to produce the show but also handle all the content, including video assets, graphics and audio files. We used vcalls to connect the remote speakers to the studio so the remote speakers and studio presenter, were able to see and hear each other.

For the 100 VIPs, we leveraged our preferred two-way, highly customizable virtual event platform “Connexion.tv”. Ahead of the event, Proshow worked with JABC to create graphics to customize the platform to JABC’s style. Once graphics were created, Proshow fully handled the platform’s implementation and configuration.

The Connexion platform worked with virtual tables of 8 guests. Each table consisted of nine video tiles set in a “Brady bunch” configuration, with the centre tile showing the main stage at Proshow’s Burnaby studio. Everyone at the table was able to speak with, and see, their peers until the program started, at which point a Proshow operator made the centre tile go full screen. At the end of the program, attendees were given the ability to see each other again and share their experiences. In the footer banner of the virtual tables, we embedded a hyperlinked Sli.do logo (the polling platform selected by the client) which allowed the guests to interact with the polling tool in the same window.

The rest of the audience enjoyed the evening via the one-way (view-only) platform.

They were provided with a link to a landing page from which they were able to attend the broadcast. Slightly different from the VIP experience, the Sli.do polls were embedded on the landing page, so viewers did not have to open a second window on their screen nor use a separate device to answer the polls This configuration created an engaging experience by adding an interactive dynamic to the one-way stream.

THE ASK

While seminars are normally held ‘face-to-face’ in a hotel ballroom, COVID-related travel restrictions and hotel closures in 2020 meant that Moodys needed a way to translate the event into a virtual facsimile. They approached us and asked if Proshow could help recreate the experience online so that the audience could engage with the webinar, just as fully as they would in previous, real-life, versions, and have the opportunity to ask questions to the presenter, Alex Marino.

THE SOLUTION

Originally, when Moodys first approached us, it looked like we would be able to stage the webcast at the Hyatt Hotel, one of our regular partners for events. As information about the pandemic was updated and changed daily, the Hyatt closed as well, and we had to evolve our solution. We are fortunate to have a virtual studio in Calgary that we were able to set up to create a TED-style stage to meet Alex’s needs. Our Theatrixx xVision LED wall was placed behind the stage and served as Alex’s screen as well as his backdrop. We used two cameras in the studio to capture Alex’s presentation and transmitted it using Zoom’s webinar platform. This allowed the registered users to log-in and submit questions to Alex and the Moodys team via the Live Chat function.

THE OUTCOME

The virtual studio successfully provided the presentation format that the client was after. The remote audience was able to immerse themselves in the experience and further their understanding of the tax implications of US citizenship overseas. Moodys was happy with the outcome and pleased that guests were well engaged, with many of them following up after the webinar.

THE ASK

Ledcor approached Proshow for help to produce their 2020 AGM. As well as audiovisual setup in the conference centre, Ledcor was looking for a secure way to webcast their shareholders’ meetings to multiple viewers in multiple cities. Each viewer would have to log in, and there’d also need to be a secure, audio-only, telephone conference as backup and for those with limited or zero internet connection.

THE SOLUTION

Working with Ledcor IS, we designed a secure webcasting platform, along with a complementary telephone conference system, that would allow each viewer to sign in with their unique code. To create a captivating experience at the Vancouver Conference Centre, we installed a centre 24′ backdrop screen with static logos and two 21’ side screens for images and presentations, with accompanying line array audio to deliver clear audio to those in attendance. To connect it all together, we used our high-powered encoding PCs running OBS software to create a picture-in-picture stream so that the online viewers could see the presenter, as well as watching their presentation simultaneously.

THE OUTCOME

The set up that Proshow designed and implemented ticked all the boxes for Ledcor. Ledcor HQ was able to see who was online and who was not, thanks to the unique, secure logins of the webcast participants. And all of the audience, both in-room and online, enjoyed seamless presentations; able to clearly hear and see everything that was said and done on stage at the Vancouver Conference Centre.

THE ASK

e=mc² events, the producers for the SingularityU Canada Summit, approached Proshow to help them bring the event to life. Specifically, we would need to provide advanced video capabilities that would be fitting for a summit that is attended by thousands of people who are dedicated to furthering innovative technologies. This demanded that we create an environment that would use video projection in such a way so as to fully immerse the audience in the experience. In addition, we would need to provide live stream functionality capable of capturing this effect for remote viewers.

THE SOLUTION

In order to create an immersive world, we began by video mapping the interior of the location—the slightly L-shaped Hall D of the Edmonton Convention Centre. We needed to make sure that we had accurate measurements of the walls, walls’ seams, and protuberances to make sure that all our projected content would fit perfectly. To further maintain the illusion, we placed the stage 17 feet away from the walls in order to avoid presenters’ shadows falling across the projections. Once we had all the measurement information, the content was able to be created and integrated to renderings. We reviewed the experience with the client as we moved forward with project to ensure the results met their requirements.

THE OUTCOME

During the two-day summit, the forward-looking audience—including those who were participating remotely—were captivated by the presentations around advancements technologies like artificial intelligence, nanotechnology, and digital medicine. The immersive video projection let them place themselves into the scenarios and to experience the future then and there.

THE ASK

The key technical challenge for this event was that the entertainment focus could be on any, or all, of the three stages around the West Ballroom. In fact, the entertainment for the evening began out in the foyer, with the band leading the guests in. The event producer, e=mc2 Events, asked Proshow to design an audio system that could accommodate several MC’s on different stages, with the action bouncing from one side of the room to another; as well as large performances on a single stage, or multiple stages within the same hit.

THE SOLUTION

We designed a comprehensive audio system that allowed us to adjust the orientation of the sound. This meant that when someone was presenting on the west stage, it sounded to the 900-strong audience that their voice was coming from the west side of the room. So, when a second voice sounded like it was coming from the main stage to the south, the audience instinctively knew where to look to follow the action.

We built the solution with multiple—individually controlled—line arrays. Using SMAART, a tool that allows us to analyze the acoustics accurately in real-time, we were able to EQ and time-align each array, then create a snapshot dedicated to each ‘room orientation.’ Each snapshot included its own routing and time alignment, recallable at the touch of a button, which produced the effect of the sound source changing direction around the ballroom.

THE ASK

e=mc2 Events asked Proshow to work closely with other production partners to develop a creative backdrop to the entire event and to use technology to further extend the theme of the event in both the mainstage area and the meeting hubs. A key component of this was to provide technical connections to engage and connect audiences in the Hub meeting areas with the mainstage area, and vice versa.

THE SOLUTION

To create an inspirational area for the mainstage, we built an 11’ x 20’ back drop using 2.6mm LED screens, as well as five columns ranging from 4’ to 8’ tall to spread the stage impact from side screen to side screen. Presenters walked between the columns to enter the stage while video content played across both the LED structures and the outside two 12’ x 21’ screens with seamless content across the entire space. We also had two more 9’ x 16’ screens used further down the room as delay screens to impact and engage attendees in every part of the space. A combination of three manned cameras including a 30’ jib crane, a 40x-zoom lens and a standard camera off centre allowed us to engage the audience through multiple interesting and engaging angles.

Incorporating the hubs required a variety of solutions. In one hub, to disrupt how the audience would normally engage with presentations, we hung two 9’ x 16’ screens on a 30-degree angle and projected from the floor. This way, guests could lie in hammocks or on the floor in a relaxed way as they watched specific hub-related content or a feed from the main stage during Keynote speakers.

In another hub, we supported a podcast from a plexiglass box that was being broadcast out to the internet. We supplied a wireless headset system to allow hundreds of guests to “listen in” live on the podcasts from the hub.

THE ASK

The producers, BRANDLIVE, asked Proshow to provide a solution that would ensure that the fireworks and music could be enjoyed by nearly half a million people each night, on three separate nights, with several days in between each of the dates.

As an added complication, the audience wouldn’t be centralized; they would be at VIP seating areas, on the beach, on boats, across the inlet at Vanier park, and enjoying the spectacle from their own homes

THE SOLUTION

There were two essential factors in the solution Proshow provided for the 2019 Honda Celebration of Light: syncing the fireworks to the music, and installing the physical equipment needed to ensure quality sound for the audience gathered in English Bay.

To accomplish the first of these tasks, Proshow’s technical team took the music files from the fireworks design teams and layered on a hidden “timecode” track. The timecode would speak to the fireworks control computer, effectively telling the computer when to launch the corresponding pyrotechnic component, ensuring that everything remained in sync. The track was played over the Proshow speakers at the venues, as well as transmitted to104.3 The Breeze for those watching and listening from elsewhere.

For the installation of the sound systems, we went in the day before and laid all the cables needed for such a complicated set-up. Then on the day of each event, we installed the technical equipment for the live music, and the PA system for the beach area immediately around the bathhouse as well as the VIP seating areas, such as The Keg Lounge, YVR Observation Deck and The Concord Lounge.

After each event, we removed the equipment but left the cabling in place to ensure minimal disruption to the public and a seamless set-up for the next event night.

THE ASK

The Leadership Achievement Seminar was, in effect, two events with their own distinct requirements but with the same audience. Business sessions were hosted in the Vancouver Convention Centre’s Exhibit Halls during the day, and the large gala dinner, awards and concert were upstairs in West Ballrooms A-D.

For the business seminars, it was essential that all attendees could see and hear everything that was going on, despite the Exhibit Halls’ pillars, which posed a physical challenge to ensuring excellent sightlines for each guest. The producer asked that we make the pillars blend into the setup rather than visually distract the attendees.

For the Grand Banquet finale, we would need to prepare the space for a sensational 45-minute performance by pop superstar Kelly Clarkson.

THE SOLUTION

With overlapping install and rehearsal schedules, Proshow provided each of the two massive events with their own, dedicated crew. Over the course of 7 days, more than 40 Proshow technicians were working on this project at any given moment to deliver a world-class experience that exceeded the already high expectations of our client.

For the Amway Business Session, Proshow provided all the audio and video elements, including simultaneous interpretation for all 2700 delegates, to ensure that every image and word could be seen and heard throughout the enormous space.

To create the immersive experience for all the guests, we designed a video system that used two 19’ x 65’ screens, one on either side of the centre pillars, and projected imagery onto the pillars to tie them into the space.

Meanwhile, the second Proshow team installed a full entertainment package to meet Kelly Clarkson’s rider. This included a further 60 line-array cabinets and multiple video screens. The final touch was a series of five 24’ wide mountains that were positioned on stage and used as projection mapping surfaces at various points during the evening.

The Details

Proshow is proud to have been selected to provide audiovisual services for the 2017 #BCTECH Summit where Leaders in BC Technology solutions and businesses were gathered for a two-day conference to discuss topics impacting the technology economy.

Impeccable service was provided to the breakouts rooms, showcases and plenary ballroom – which with its 97-foot-wide centre screen provided amazing visual impact.

What a better place than a technology conference to create amazing full-screen backgrounds and videos with our Barco E2, Barco XHD-400 media server and Barco HDXW Flex 20K, the latest in blending, playback and projection technologies manufactured by BARCO.

Proshow Audiovisual was the audio and video supplier of choice for the BC Institute of Technology’s Distinguished Alumni Awards.

Working with Vancouver’s e=mc2 events, Proshow designed and implemented an intricate video system that allowed for twenty-eight individual 40”x40” white tiles hung behind the stage that were independently programmed to show individual content or combined to act as a single large screen. Furthermore, custom animations were created that spread across the backdrop tiles and onto to the two 11’3” x 20’ side screens that were also used for high-definition image magnification.