The new division of XL Video, XL Events has lost no time in supplying equipment and expertise to high profile projects, including - cameras, LED screens and a PPU - for the “Top Gear Live” arena at the 2008 MPH Prestige & Performance Motor Show exhibition at Earls Court, London and the NEC, Birmingham, and for its first ever show in Dublin.
face="Arial">Top Gear Live, a co-presentation with the BBC, is a hugely popular, highly entertaining all-action 90 minute performance car spectacular fusing pure theatre with adrenalized stunts and turbo-charged fun for petrol-heads of all descriptions. Presented by Top Gear anchors Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May, at the 2008 MPH Show, it was staged in a 5000 seater arena that sold out up to 4 shows a day.
Simon Aldridge from PMI production managed the live show with XL's managing director Lee Spencer acting as project manager. Phil Woodhead directed with the show being engineered on site for XL by Richard Shipman.
XL supplied a 4 camera PPU featuring 3 Sony DXC55 cameras – one with Sony J70 long lens at the FOH position, and two with medium throw lenses stationed at floor level just behind the barriers left and right of the arena - plus a truss-mounted remote head. Woodhead cut the fast-paced mix using a GVG Kayak console.
Pre-recorded video material was stored on 2 Doremi hard drives and replayed on cue in line with the show's script.
The screens were two Lighthouse R7s, located left and right of the central position and measuring approximately 100 square metres combined. They featured a mix of playback footage and IMAG throughout the show.
XL has been involved in the Live Arena since the MPH Show's inception, where video has always been utilised innovatively both to bring the audience closer to the action and to enhance the drama and energy of the show.
Top Gear Live's own 2008/09 world tour is ongoing and includes Dublin, Johannesburg, Sydney, Auckland and Hong Kong, plus a comprehensive European tour in a dramatic expansion of its international horizons.