CLIENT
David Atkins Enterprises
LOCATION
Shanghai, China
YEAR
2010
PROJECT TYPE
Opening Ceremony
Scope
Sound system design, show control design and technical infrastructure planning across the Expo site
Services Provided
- →Sound system design
- →Show control system design
- →Technical infrastructure design
- →Timecode and network distribution planning
- →Coordination with telecommunications and technical suppliers
The Brief
The opening ceremony for Expo 2010 Shanghai was staged along the Huangpu River, running through the centre of the Expo site. Produced by David Atkins Enterprises, the 45-minute show unfolded across a vast stretch of waterfront, using bridges, barges and riverfront structures as part of the performance environment.
Auditoria were responsible for the sound system design, show control architecture and the wider technical infrastructure required to connect the many departments involved in the ceremony.
The technical infrastructure behind the production was extensive. The project required a communications and data network capable of linking lighting, lasers, video, audio and show control systems across a site that stretched for several kilometres along both sides of the river.
The Challenge
The scale of the site presented the main challenge. The ceremony extended for roughly three kilometres along the riverfront, with performance elements located on both banks and bridges at either end of the site.
All departments needed to operate as a single coordinated system despite being distributed over a large area. This required a robust technical backbone capable of handling timecode, communications and control data reliably across long distances.
In practical terms, this meant designing an infrastructure network that could support lighting control, video systems, laser control, communications and show control simultaneously.
Our Approach
The solution centred on a fibre-based technical network running the full length of the riverfront performance area. This infrastructure connected the various control positions and production areas, allowing departments to operate in synchronisation despite their physical separation.
Local telecommunications companies installed the fibre network and switching infrastructure under Auditoria’s direction. The system distributed connectivity for lighting, video and control systems, alongside timecode distribution for show synchronisation.
Communications systems were supplied by PA People from Australia, integrated into the wider network design so that production teams could coordinate activity across the entire site.
From an audio perspective, the design focused on supporting the ceremony elements without interfering with the surrounding Expo environment.
Technical Highlights:
Show Control Design
Site-wide timecode distribution system
Integrated show control connectivity across all departments
AV & Infrastructure Design
Fibre-based technical network spanning approximately 6 km of site infrastructure
Ethernet distribution for lighting, video, laser and control systems
Network switching and data routing across multiple control zones
The Results
The opening ceremony was delivered successfully across a site of exceptional scale, with all technical departments connected through a unified infrastructure network.
The fibre backbone allowed lighting, video, laser and control systems to operate in sync along the full length of the riverfront performance area.
For Auditoria, the project was as much about infrastructure planning as it was about audio design. The resulting network provided the connectivity required for a complex multi-location show to operate as a single coordinated production.
Acknowledgements
Our Client
David Atkins Enterprises
Our Team
Scott Willsallen – Audio Design & Infrastructure Design
Communications Supplier
PA People, Australia
Technical Infrastructure
Local telecommunications providers under the direction of Auditoria
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