It was the fine jewelry industry's night to sparkle, and Worldstage was there to support the big-screen display needs of the 10th Annual GEM Awards, January 6 at Cipriani 42nd Street in New York City. Worldstage provided Dataton WATCHOUT systems for the gala event, which was held by the Jewelry Information Center, the consumer education arm of Jewelers of America. The GEM Awards recognize the outstanding achievements of individuals and companies whose work raises the visibility and status of fine jewelry and watches.
Joe Parlagreco, a producer/director/cinematographer with New York City-based Filmworks, says he wanted to use "a sophisticated video approach" for the video set pieces. "I had the five LEDs and a big HD screen above the stage all fed by separate sources that had to be timed. Worldstage gave us the time necessary to consult and figure out the right components to use. They really partnered with us to solve our problems - they didn't just rent us equipment."
He notes that he was able to visit Worldstage and work with the WATCHOUT programmer prior to the show, a process that proved to be invaluable. "We were able to break down the show and virtually rehearse it," Parlagreco explains. "Worldstage was just great to work with - very flexible, fast and trustworthy. They know what they're doing."
Worldstage partnered with Cipriani 42nd Street's inhouse AV and lighting company, Star Group Productions, to supply the WATCHOUT systems. "Five vertical 65-inch plasmas were built into the set piece on stage," says Worldstage event manager/video engineer Michael Cruz. "We provided two WATCHOUTs to send 720p signals to the five plasmas. more WATCHOUTs sent 1080p signals to the main center screen where two HD cameras were iso recording the awards for IMAG. Each display - the five plasmas and the center screen - were able to display independent images."
Joe Parlagreco, a producer/director/cinematographer with New York City-based Filmworks, says he wanted to use "a sophisticated video approach" for the video set pieces. "I had the five LEDs and a big HD screen above the stage all fed by separate sources that had to be timed. Worldstage gave us the time necessary to consult and figure out the right components to use. They really partnered with us to solve our problems - they didn't just rent us equipment."
He notes that he was able to visit Worldstage and work with the WATCHOUT programmer prior to the show, a process that proved to be invaluable. "We were able to break down the show and virtually rehearse it," Parlagreco explains. "Worldstage was just great to work with - very flexible, fast and trustworthy. They know what they're doing."
Alex Bright was the WATCHOUT programmer. At Star Group Productions, Clifton Cloud was the director of operations.
WorldStage Inc., the company created by the merger of Scharff Weisberg Inc and Video Applications Inc, continues a thirty-year legacy of providing clients the widest variety of entertainment technology coupled with conscientious and imaginative engineering services. WorldStage provides audio, video and lighting equipment and services to the event, theatrical, broadcast and brand experience markets nationally and internationally.