Image of Live Event Visual Amplification

Fun Facts: A Brief History of Live Event Visual Amplification

Keeping it fun is an essential component of enhancing any live event. Luckily, we here at Production Experience specialize in FUN.

Throughout history, the experiential entertainment industry has come up with some truly off-the-wall production concepts and equipment that eventually led to the development of the gear we use today. Always pushing the envelope to enhance the end experience, how exactly did we get to where we are now? We would like you to meet some of the GIANTS upon whose shoulders we stand on that allow us to support some of the most innovative marketing campaigns in the industry today.

*fade to old time-y black and white footage and music*

Live Event Visual Amplification is the display of live and pre-recorded images as a part of a live stage event.

Visual amplification began when films, projected onto a stage, added characters or background information to a production. 35 mm motion picture projectors became available in 1910 – but which theatre or opera company first used a movie in a stage production is not known.

In 1935, less costly 16 mm film equipment allowed many other performance groups and school theaters to use motion pictures in productions.

*cue classic rock music*

In 1970, closed circuit video cameras and video cassette machines became available and Live Event Visual Amplification came of age. For the first time, live closeups of stage performers could be displayed in real time. These systems also made it possible to show pre-recorded videos that added information & visual intensity to a live event.

One of the first video touring systems was created by video designer TJ McHose in 1975 for the rock band The Tubes using black and white television monitors.

In 1978, TJ McHose designed a touring color video system that enlarged performers at the Kool Jazz Festivals in sports stadiums across the United States.

*snap to full definition HD*

Fast forward to 2014.

In today’s age of hyper connected devices and wireless communication, In Depth Events is leading the world in Live Event Visual Amplification because of our relationships with companies like, GoVISION (www.jumbo.tv). The perfect complement to our roofed outdoor concert stage, GoVISION’s LED video walls project all the action of our live stage performers to everyone in the venue regardless of size.

We love football, so when the Dallas Cowboys asked us to help them with a Live Event in their new stadium, we quickly said yes. Turns out, the Cowboys know a thing or two about LARGE LED screens and our video wall from GoVISION was a fantastic addition to a live concert and performance by the world famous Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders. We have never been more proud.

A big part of our business is working with advertising agencies and public relations departments that are interested in either introducing a new client or rebranding their existing client in a fun and creative way. While nothing beats a charismatic spokesperson, often we are asked to bring to life a corporate message with live video and sound.

I hope you enjoyed learning a little bit about what we do at In Depth Event. We thought this would be a FUN way for you to see how the production aspect of live events has progressed through the years. We hope that Experiential Entertainment will continue to capture your imagination as it has ours and we dare you to dream up the next big thing. We look forward to seeing what you want us to come up with next!

Hopefully this blog has been informative for our event planner clients! For more information on In Depth Events and our event production capabilities, please Ask Us a Question today. We look forward to hearing from you and working with you on your event!

Confetti Cannon Rentals Vs Confetti Blower Rentals – An Event Planners Guide

Using Confetti Rentals at Live Events

Looking for a fun, exciting special effect for your live event? Use confetti – it’s a BLAST!

OK, so now that we’ve got that out of the way, let’s talk about how confetti rentals work for live events.

Most clients that rent a a confetti cannon are looking to either do a product reveal at a corporate event, introduce a headlining act at a concert or festival or provide a highlight moment at an awards presentation. Confetti is also used for longer lasting effects such as a prize giveaway at a store opening, a special effect during the length of an entire song at a concert or celebrating a win at a political event.

Before we go too deep into the differences between blowers and cannons, lets talk about the confetti (or media) itself. Traditional confetti is small pieces of tissue paper, but you can use all sorts of other media as well. Streamers are the second most common type of confetti media. However, we’ve have clients use glitter, feathers, and even custom cuts of paper like small stars, hearts or even company logos. Confetti media is limited only by your imagination!

Confetti Cannon rentals

Confetti Cannon on an outdoor rooftop structure

Most people use the term ‘confetti cannon’ as a general term for any device that spreads confetti, but it’s actually a very specific piece of production equipment. A confetti cannon uses a pressurized air tank that is a part of the unit itself. When the actuator is enabled, it releases the entire tank into the barrel (or, in the example above, the barrels) of the unit. The barrels are loaded with the client selected media, and can fire the media up to 100′ in the air. So, a confetti cannon is a one shot effect. Once the effect has been shot, the tank has to be re-pressurized and the barrels reloaded.

Confetti Blower rentals

Confetti Blower at an outdoor concert event

A confetti blower is different from a confetti cannon and is used for events that require a long lasting confetti effect. A confetti blower uses a CO2 tank that is separate from the unit itself. You can hook up one tank of CO2, or, you can hook up multiple tanks to each blower for really long effects. A blower also requires a technician to drop the selected confetti media into the hopper as it is discharging. When the actuator is enabled, the blower takes media from the hopper and projects it up to 100′ into the air. The primary difference between a confetti cannon and a confetti blower is that a blower can blow for as long as you have CO2 in the tank and a technician to feed the hopper. A single, small tank of CO2 can last for up to 45 seconds at full open, and can broadcast up to 10 pounds of confetti media per minute. With multiple tanks hooked up, you can easily broadcast media for as long as you need the effect and fill the air of the stadium, ballroom or outdoor venue with hundreds of pounds of confetti!

I hope this blog has been informative for our event planner clients! For more information on confetti rentals and whether a confetti cannon or confetti blower is right for your evnt, please Ask Us a Question today. We look forward to hearing from you and working with you on your event!

Sporting Events and Sports Event Marketing… Finding YOUR fans!

Sports Event Marketing at Your Next Event

Sports are everywhere – all the time. So many television stations with so many commentators. There is truly a fascination with all types of contests. This time of year gives us the top 3 United States competitions all at once and keeps me glued to my set as often as possible. The NFL, NBA and NHL keep the sports enthusiast quenched and at times overwhelmed trying to keep up with all the highlights. From individual games to tailgate parties, there is always one underlying element that seems to draw in the average and avid fan alike: The live event aspect.

There is nothing like going to a game and being in the thick of the action and excitement. Sure, you can stay at home and watch your favorite team from the comfort of your couch with all the convenience and none of the headaches. Why leave your humble abode to brave the elements of weather, unruly patrons, and outrageously priced concessions? The answer is: for the the thrill of the live event! We all crave bigger and better experiences where the enhancement is worth the risk and cost. We want to be part of something that is bigger than ourselves and sports event marketing creates that feeling.

Setting up a stage and seeing a live band perform in the parking lot outside the stadium pumps up even the most understated fan and gets him or her ready for the battle that is about to ensue. The warm up before the main event has been going on for centuries; from the Roman days to present. Live events fuel sporting events at every level. Sports Marketing agencies have been coming up with strategies to capture the consumer from before, after, and during the game with giveaways, contests, or just plain old sampling campaigns. The more elaborate, the better as companies seek out opportunities to market to their target consumer. Interactive semi- trucks are positioned in parking lots of sporting venues to give fans the opportunity to experience a product or service like never before. From telecom services to Kielbasa culinary creations, sports event marketing firms are there to capture the attention of the crowd.

Expand beyond the stadium and bring your consumers to where YOU are

Every game is another opportunity to reach the masses and the most successful Sports Marketing firms have to wow them to get their attention. Live event activity makes that happen and brings the rubber to the artificial turf. Live bands and half time shows from all star games to the championship finals all need the wind beneath their wings. All marketing agencies commit penalties to try to get a spot at these opportunities and are willing to negotiate aggressively to get in the fray. Live event production companies such as In Depth Events are the backbone in keeping this tradition going and thriving – never wavering in their commitment to execute a flawless experience for the client and the consumer.

You can find our team of production experts at most major sporting events – and not just around the stadium! When a major sporting event comes to town, the opportunities to get one-on-one with consumers are almost limitless. New York will be filled to the brim with large corporations doing private events for their most valued customers at many venues all over the city. The NBA All-Star Jam will have basketball themed interactive displays all over New Orleans and all sponsored by major shoe and clothing manufacturers. Austin will be doing double duty this year with SXSW in March and the X-Games in June – which means Auditorium Shores will see huge amounts of traffic and people from all over the world will be enjoying the overall “Keep Austin Weird” vibe. In all of these cities, stages, audio systems, lighting rigs and bands will arrive days before the final event to attract consumers to brands.

So the next time you’re at an arena or coliseum, look around! Enjoy the experience in the hosting city, and allow yourself to be enveloped by the sports event marketing that continues to compete for your attention and at times rivals the sporting event itself. Fight on my fellow experiential enthusiasts!

I hope this blog has been informative for our event planner clients! For more information on In Depth Events and our event production capabilities, please Ask Us a Question today. We look forward to hearing from you and working with you on your event!

Image of Holiday Event Lighting at Exxon Mobil Headquarters

The Holiday Season and Live Events – The Perfect Marketing Match

The Holidays are here folks – whether you are ready or not! That means holiday themed live events across the country will be taking place to capitalize on the perfect marketing opportunity. Like aged cheese and vintage wine, the holidays and live events go extremely well together.

It’s All About the Live Events

From company Christmas parties to outdoor Holiday festivals – live event activity is featured this time of year! The most successful live events are great at creating that warm, nostalgic feeling we all crave especially around the holiday season. There’s no better way to accomplish this than by implementing rocking music and a live interactive stage production amping up the yuletide crowd, sending them into a frenzy of frankincense. In Depth Events has been there (and done that), creating magical moments for all while bringing products to the people in fun, creative and effective ways.

Understanding how to go about this can be tricky. You want to respect the true meaning of what holidays represent while hitting your key demographic numbers. Folks have to be entertained, while still being exposed to your promotional campaign. There is a fine line that needs to be traveled that does not overwhelm and offend the consumer. Make sure everyone is having a great time before introducing a product or service for consumption. A successful promotion has to be incorporated into the theme of the event.

Make Sure Your Event is Seen and Heard

Of course, using the best audio, staging and lighting company available is key to providing the most effective message. That’s where the experts at In Depth Events come in! Company Christmas parties will be booking entertainment and malls will be booking carolers and church choirs for their shoppers. In addition, tree lighting ceremonies, municipal festivals and 5k Holiday runs need the best possible production to make sure the message gets across to your attendees – even if the message is simply Happy Holidays!

So this is for all you marketing and event companies out there trying to spread holiday cheer to all the caroling consumers out there. Keep it genuine and intimate. Know that the holidays are actually sacred for many people and they don’t want to be nut cracked over the head with pushy and heartless Scrooges thinking only about the bottom line. Don’t forget to add some awesome live entertainment along with the essential fake snow in areas that don’t receive much precipitation. (Yep…our experts do that as well.) Happy Holidays – we’ll see you at the closest simulated North Pole!